Number of files a Compact Flash Card can hold?

[pmk]

What's the number of files a CF card can hold using no directories or sub-directories? Isn't it 1024?

I ask because I use a CF card to power my wife's digital picture frame. I resize and compress all the images and have over 400 pictures on the frame now. There's plenty of room left on the card -- probably for about 600 more -- but the card will no longer save new files. I'm wondering if the card has gone south....

BTW: the digital picture frame is a HUGE hit. I used to get frequent complaints about how she no longer gets to see photos since I moved from film to pixels. Now she's a huge fan and doesn't mind me spending dough on equiptment that will directly benefit her viewing pleasure! :D

pk

[MeNiS]

well it depends on how big your CF card size is.

[pmk]

Actually, I don't believe that this is the case. I think that File Allocation Tables (FATs) have their own limit per directory. Another way to phrase the question: how many files can a root directory handle, regardless of size of storage media?

pmk

[lostdoggy]

Partly correct. Yes root directory has a limit to how many file/folder, but if you create a folder DCIM (most device will recognize this folder designation) and store the image into this foler you should be able to store up to the maximum of the CF card.

[Jon]

Assuming FAT16, the limit's 512 directory entries in the root directory. FAT32 has removed this limit. But long file names under FAT occupy a minimum of 3 directory entries (short file name, long file name which may occupy 1 or more entries, and extended attributes).

[nadtz]

A FAT32 directory can have 65,536 directory entries. Each file and subdirectory takes from two to thirteen entries, depending on the length of its name. NTFS iirc does not have this limitation. Fat16 has already been stated. What file system are you using on the card and what does your device read? Additionally what is the error you get when trying to move new files to the CF card?