Card initialisation problem

[nick england]

Am having problems with 2 SanDisk cards (one 512mb and one 512mbUltra).

When I put them both in the S2, the display says card not initialised, yet, when I look at the cards in the reader on the computer, I can view the files on the card.

The camera will not format the cards either.

What could be the problem?

[S_Leeper]

The fact that the camera will not format is usual to me...
Sounds a bit simplistic, but try giving a LITTLE blast of air into the card & the camera card input.

I suspect/hope there is some dust inside there.

[kcmocopper]

I am having the same problems. The cards I have are 256meg smart cards by Moduloar technologies. I have tried everything and they still don't work! I bought 3 of them and all of them are useless!
Any ideas anyone? I have blew air into them and everything. You would think any compactflash would work!

[Wichita Wayne]

You should be able to fdisk and format the things on a PC. But be sure not to use the "Quick" format option and format them for FAT rather than any other file system or you will have trouble. Then when you get them to work in the camera format them rather than erasing the files. That way you redo the whole disk and and mark any bad sectors, etc.

[kcmocopper]

I tried fdisking and formating and it still didn't work. Oh well, I guess there isn't a fix after all.

[turbo-944]

The S2's are known to be selective on which cards they like to use. There have been several brands of cards that have been a problem. To look at a list of tested cards and performance ratings go to www.robgalbraith.com and look at the CF database.

Dan.

[Wichita Wayne]

If these CFs never worked with the S2 then they probably never will. I make it a habit of taking the camera with me when I buy CF cards that way I can have the store clerk check the cards and ensure that they work. I have never done this with the IBM MDs because they always seem to work without a problem. On the other hand if these cards worked once then stopped working there may be an underlying hardware problem that needs attention prior to any warrenties expiring. If the cards are new then the merchant might exchange them for another brand.

[kcmocopper]

Thanks for the info Wayne. I finally got the problem fixed. I bought these 3 compact flash cards off of ebay. I probably shouldn't have, but I did!

On Monday I wrote an email to Smart Modular Technologies and told them the problem I am having. My wife told me today a lady from Smart called 2 days ago and was asking about the cards. Ms.Payton told my wife that she was going to ship me 3 new cards. She told my wife that the cards were recalled because they wouldn't work in alot of cameras. Needless to say my wife got a big chewing because I didn't get the message and that I wish I new she had called because my first wedding is tomorrow and I could have used the cards.

Well the point of the story is they arrived today via FedEx next day air. I think customer service like this deserves me buying and using their compact flash cards from now on. For god sakes I never even talked to the women and she sent them to me. 3 brand new ones! Now I have to call her monday to see if she wants the bad ones back. Well enough rambleing on. I just wanted to put a good word in for Smart Modular Tech. What a great company!

P.S. Wish me luck on my first wedding. I am very nervous but confident that I can do this!