Avoiding CF card errors when using a reader

[IainB]

I've read lots about the benefits of using a card reader to download images, but after having a card become corrupted - I suspect through 'incorrectly' using it with the reader - I am wary of using the reader again. So what's the correct sequence of using the card and reader? I mean, when should the card be inserted, and removed? I've been told that the reader must be 'dismounted' or whatever. But is that before or after removing the card? I'd appreciate some advice. BTW the on-line dealer replaced the failed 18mth old card.

[tommykjensen]

Inserting is not a problem.

When You want to remove it You must tell windows that You want to dismount the card.

You can actually do 2 things.

1: Stop the USB card reader via the "Unplug or eject hardware" dialog. Use this and it guides You and tells You when it is safe to disconnect the card reader and remove the card.

2: In the explorer right click on the drive where the card is inserted, choose "eject" then You can remove the card. This method does not stop the cardreader itself.

[RJSorensen]

Yep, you have to dismount them prior to taking them out of the reader. They are so much faster for me, with firewire that I just could not think of using the camera . . .

[Mark_48]

I've been using the "Eject" method and haven't had any problem with corruption. The problem I encounter occasionally is inserting the card, the reader isn't recognized in Explorer and I have to unplug it and replug it to be recognized. When it's not recognized it will sit there and cycle like it's trying to see something. Any ideas what's happening here?

[markfh]

It's called Winblows...

[samdring]

Well I have to say that I've been using a card reader since bread was first sliced and never used 'safely remove hardware' - just pulled it out. Never had a problem

[Toogy]

Well I have to say that I've been using a card reader since bread was first sliced and never used 'safely remove hardware' - just pulled it out. Never had a problem

Me too! Never had a problem. Knock on Wood, I am sure the next time I do it will get MASSIVE data loss and possibly fry my motherboard ;)

[robertwgross]

Well I have to say that I've been using a card reader since bread was first sliced and never used 'safely remove hardware' - just pulled it out. Never had a problem

Ditto.

It's OK to yank the card out as long as there is no read/write process underway. My card reader has a red light to indicate that. After the light goes out, I yank the card.

---Bob Gross---

[IainB]

Thanks guys. Sorted.

[Moppie]

Ditto.

It's OK to yank the card out as long as there is no read/write process underway. My card reader has a red light to indicate that. After the light goes out, I yank the card.

---Bob Gross---


Ditto your ditto Plus, Windows XP has a little hand that shows up in the small tool bar beside the clock that lets you know if the car is being used, and whether or not its safe to remove it :)

[Conk]

I used to always just yank the card after the images had downloaded but now I download>format>eject. I used to erase the images from the downloader program but found it to be as slow as the download. Format is so much faster. My notebook, on the other hand, doesn't allow for me to eject so I just pull the card afetr formatting.

[Citizensmith]

There is something that windows like to sometimes do called write caching. It 'enhances the user experience' by making it seem like copying is much faster when all it does it write later in the background. If write caching is enabled on a drive and you remove it because it looks like the copy dialog is done you could still have problems. If write caching isn't enabled and the copy is complete (lights off, dialog box gone) then just go ahead and yank the card. No need to waste time with unmounting or anything. Never do, never had a problem, and I've used a large variety of flash media over the years.

[pradeep1]

There is something that windows like to sometimes do called write caching. It 'enhances the user experience' by making it seem like copying is much faster when all it does it write later in the background. If write caching is enabled on a drive and you remove it because it looks like the copy dialog is done you could still have problems. If write caching isn't enabled and the copy is complete (lights off, dialog box gone) then just go ahead and yank the card. No need to waste time with unmounting or anything. Never do, never had a problem, and I've used a large variety of flash media over the years.

I have a Sandisk reader and write cache is enabled....so I usually wait about 20-30 seconds after the last card operation (write, erase). That is usually enough time for the cache to enable. I've not been able to turn off the delayed write feature for my USB card reader. Maybe something I'll have to look into and figure out how to do.

[BEEEsH]

Well I have to say that I've been using a card reader since bread was first sliced and never used 'safely remove hardware' - just pulled it out. Never had a problem


Same here.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I can't say that I have ever "ejected" a CF card,. I just pull em out.