Can card readers damage CF cards?

[IainB]

I know it's an old topic, but it's my first problem with a CF card! Is it possible for the reader to 'damage' the card? The message "Insert card in F drive" appears even though the card has been inserted. Fortunately I had already downloaded the images but was just checking the card's contents. The camera had trouble recognising the card too. I have tried reformatting in the camera but an error message appears and the camera switches off.
Beyond hope? It's a Ridata 512 card.
I have tried to find discussion on this so if anyone can give me the link....Thanks!

[cactusclay]

I have one of those muti card readers, and it's possible to get a cf card in sort of coceyed, but I havn't had one damaged. I would try using another card reader or your camera just to be certain the problem isn't with the card reader.

[IainB]

Thanks. I have tried other cards (have several same brand) as you suggest and they are fine in camera and reader. The 'faulty' card did 'open' once in the reader since I posted the question, and displayed the folders. Opening a folder revealed the images, but when I attempted to drag a folder to the desktop, an error message about perameters came up and the process stopped. I have not been able to repeat the process. Back to the "Insert card in drive F" message. What is meant by 'coceyed'?

[Moppie]

'coceyed'?


Cockeyed, slang for wrong angle, bad/wrong way of doing it.
Its either a refernce to a farm bird, or the third eye that people don't like seeing pictures of.


Edit, how can you be living in NZ and not know what it means?

[IainB]

oops...I see you meant 'cockeyed'! My apology!

[Moppie]

LOL.

I have a multislot card reader I got from DickSmith, it fits in the floppy drive bay of my case, and plugs into the USB port on the motherbourd. (it has its own USB port in it, so I don't lose my front USB).
Iv only had a few months, but this morning I put a card into the reader and it went in at a funny angle, and was not easy to get out. I think is missed the guides inside, and tried to get into the MiniDrive slot instead (shared slot).
Dosn't seem to be any damage done, but I imagine it could be a good way to damage the pins in the reader.

[IainB]

Thanks Moppie. I bought my reader for AU$20 from an on-line store. Multicard reader USB2. Fact that other cards are ok leaves me with the awful thought that the card itself has suffered harm. What can go wrong with them, and is it retrievable even though it won't format in the camera? I've alerted the dealer and awaiting his/her response. So, what CAN go wrong with the cards?

[IainB]

Another thought....if the computer (laptop) goes into hibernation mode with the card and reader connected, could that cause damage? I know the reader was definitely connected, but can't recall if the card was inserted. Any thoughts?

[IndyJeff]

Another thought....if the computer (laptop) goes into hibernation mode with the card and reader connected, could that cause damage? I know the reader was definitely connected, but can't recall if the card was inserted. Any thoughts?

It is not unusual for me to begin dumping a card to a cd and just leave it, whether it is back to shooting or sitting down eating dinner. I have never had any problem with a card from hibernation or screen saver becoming active with a card in it.

Now once my son was helping me out on a skateboard competition shoot and was manning the laptop. I gave him a card and said to dump it. Pretty soon he came back and said it wouldn't read. Upon further examination I looked into the reader. Somehow he bent a pin? LOL Don't ask me how but he did. Card was fine but thereader was a $20 paper wieght from that point on.

[IainB]

I'm hoping my card isn't a very light paperweight! Thanks IndyJeff.