Is my CF card toast?

mercphoto

Just started having a CF card (a San Disk 2G Ultra II) start periodically giving me issues. The camera is a Canon 40D, which is a recent aquisition. The error from the camera is that the card is not formatted for this camera, and it will not format the card either. But sometimes it works just fine. About two years ago the card did go through the washing machine, but it never gave me problems in my 1D Mark II (which I no longer have). So I have a variable here -- the new 40D. I'm inclined to think the card itself is finally flaking out, but is possible that its a problem with the new camera instead?

Art Scott

mercphoto wrote:

Just started having a CF card (a San Disk 2G Ultra II) start periodically giving me issues. The camera is a Canon 40D, which is a recent aquisition. The error from the camera is that the card is not formatted for this camera, and it will not format the card either. But sometimes it works just fine. About two years ago the card did go through the washing machine, but it never gave me problems in my 1D Mark II (which I no longer have). So I have a variable here -- the new 40D. I'm inclined to think the card itself is finally flaking out, but is possible that its a problem with the new camera instead?

If this card were a Lexar...I would recommend calling their tech support and have a diagnostics run on it....I do not know if San Disk can or will do this for you.
Might try formatting in computer and then reformating in camera....just make sure all of you images are removed....I know we are not supposed to format by computer and then try to use the card but formatting in computer sorta puts it back into its "natural state" before its first formating in a camera.....also do you have any recovery software...mine is ImageRescue and came on my Lexar cards I bought long before I started using Transcend....it has some diagnotics on it also and also a sort of scan disk and defrag built into it.......

I have used this just to see how my cards are doing from time to time.

Good Luck.

ziggy53

Bill,

You need to try another card to rule out the camera as a source of the problem. If the problem is isolated to the singular card, you have your answer.

Memory storage cards are not quite as simple as you might think. They contain a controller in addition to the storage matrix. They also have shielding to prevent interference.

If either the controller or shielding was compromised by the moisture of washing, strange things can happen.

Bottom line is you need to find out what it is in your system that you can no longer trust.

Good luck,

Tee Why

Sounds like possible ill effects from the washing machine are starting to show up. Seeing as cards are becoming cheaper, it may be better to replace it with a new one.

Newegg.com has very reasonable prices on many cards.

mercphoto

I do have another card that works, so odds are, it is the card itself. Time for the landfill! I might replace the 2G card with a 4G unit.