Corrupt Compact Flash card

Tom Dunne

Hi All,

I purchased a 512Mb CF card for my Axim in the US last week, problem is, it appears to be corrupted.

It's the usual story, it worked fine for a few days, but then a folder and a file with unusual characters on the card appeared that I could not delete. I then downloaded FlashFormat to format the card.

Now, any songs I put on it skip, suggesting there still is a problem with the card.

Any ideas what I can try next? I won't be in the US for a while, so returning it is out of the question.

Thanks,

TD.

raphaelS

Have you try to format the card with a digital camera or a PC?
You might need to check what FAT you are using (12, 16, 32,..), this might mess up with filenames.

I always format my CF in my digital Camera (never on the PC) and I never had any problem... don't know if it's due to the formating though...!

Raphael

Tom Dunne

Originally posted by raphaelS
Have you try to format the card with a digital camera or a PC?
You might need to check what FAT you are using (12, 16, 32,..), this might mess up with filenames.

I don't have any other devices - though I am now thinking of buying one of those 6-in-1 readers.

I tried the recommended FAT settings (recommended by the formatting software). I also tried the other FAT types, still the same. I am on to Sandisk technical support, I will have to see what they say.

DaveK

I don't know if this has any relevance to your problem, but there appears to be a compatibility problem between the Axim X5 and the drivers for Sandisk's Wi-Fi CF card.

flywheel

Originally posted by tom dunne
but then a folder and a file with unusual characters on the card appeared that I could not delete

that can happen - temp / system files can be written to the card by the Pocket PC (it is a Windows based OS ) - they can be set to read only if they are being used by the Pocket PC at the time

definatley go and get a USB reader/writer - and preferably USB 2.0 if you can (if you have USB 2.0 on your machine) - the time alone you save transferring files compared to through the cradle (via active sync) is worth far more than the reader costs

i use a multi type San Disk USB 2.0 one here - picked it up for around $30 - althogh seen less capable versions for more than double that in the likes of Compustore (so shop around)

there are firewire verisions available also - but they are aimed more at the prof. photographer using 1GB+ cards

be careful formatting it on a PC - particulalry the FAT type you select - depending which one you select can make it unusable in some equipment

hth,
BrianG

Tom Dunne

Sandisk have agreed to replace the card - fair play to them. They told me to return it to the shop I bought it from but when I pointed out that I bought it in the US and I live in Europe, they said no problem, we will replace it for you.

Now that's customer support. I have to say I am very impressed.