My external usb hdd enclosure doesn't work with the kernel packaged with the central. I have an enclosure based on the ALI562x chip. If someone else has a different one and wants to give it a shot, I have attached the kernel modules you need to load to make it work.

1. Use insmod to load usb-storage.o and all the scsi modules. (Yes, you need scsi drivers even though it is usb and ide.)
2. Plug in the usb drive.
3. Type "dmesg" and see if anything promising comes up.

Ok, trying to attach again.

External USB mass storage does work with the Central.

At least, it used to. At some point during hardware bring-up, we managed to mount a USB Zip-250 drive. I don't think anyone's tried between then and now, though.

Yeah, I'm 90% sure that it's just not compatible with my specific external hdd. I'm split between rolling the dice and buying a new, different one, or seeing if I can patch a newer kernel (one that supports my specific usb device) to have all the rio central features.

If I mess with the kernel, I'd probably need to hook up a console to the board. Does anyone sell the device to hook up a console? I'm not very handy with a soldering iron.