SD Card Problem on X3i

new3i · 11-01-03, 09:19 AM

New DELL Inspiron 300m notebook (built in SD slot) XP PRO
New DELL AXIM X3i (built in SDIO slot) WM 2003
New ScanDisk 128m SD card (China)
New SimpleTech 128m SD card (Japan)

Plug ScanDisk SD card into 300m - no problem
Write a file to card - no problem
Unplug card and plug back in to 300m - no problem (file is there)

Plug card with file written on 300m into X3i - X3i says it sees the card but requires format to use the card in the X3i !!!
Format the card in the X3i - no problem
Write a file to the card - no problem
Unplug card and plug back into X3i - no problem (file is there)

Plug card with file written on X3i into 300m - 300m says it sees the card but requires format to use the card in the 300m !!!

Repeat the above experiment using the SimpleTech SD card - no problems whatsoever (no formatting required, no read/write problems)

Come on ScanDisk and DELL - What's the problem ???

Astounded EEG · 11-01-03, 11:00 AM

we had all hoped that dell would have learned their lesson by now, but this is a classic example of SD problems in the X5.

which means they are using the same SD slots for the X3? Could they really be that stupid? (or is it a software/driver issue? need to find happycheesecake...)

what is the serial number on the back of the Sandisk SD?

new3i · 11-01-03, 11:31 AM

It's a 128 meg SanDisk SD - S/N: 0212LQ - TAIWAN

JmE · 11-01-03, 11:35 AM

It could be SanDisk still being that stupid too.

-JmE-

Astounded EEG · 11-01-03, 11:57 AM

that's true....

....however--the serial number indicates that the card is from an older Sandisk series.

"0202" means it was made in 2002, February. "LQ" is definitely one of the older series. Sandisk's new "N_" series is supposed to work better in the Axim X5, and probably in the X3 as well.

so to some degree your problems can be attributed to the card's dinosaur status.

JmE · 11-01-03, 12:13 PM

Most likely. You and HappyCheesecake are more up to date on that subject than I am right now.

It still bugs me that SanDisk had problems way before the Axim X5 came out. We were fighting with these things on our PalmOS devices. SanDisk's answer was always the same "we are checking into it" or "it is the handheld's fault". Personally, I can not trust SanDisk again and I suspect any SD card that uses the same controller SanDisk was using.

-JmE-

new3i · 11-01-03, 08:45 PM

Update :

Cast of characters :

New DELL Inspiron 300m notebook (built in SD slot) XP PRO
New DELL AXIM X3i (built in SDIO slot) WM 2003
New SanDisk 128m SD card (Taiwan)
New SimpleTech 128m SD card (Japan)

Plug SanDisk SD card into 300m - no problem
Write a file to card - no problem
Unplug card and plug back in to 300m - no problem (file is there)

Plug card with file written on 300m into X3i - X3i says it sees the card but requires format to use the card in the X3i !!!
Format the card in the X3i - no problem
Write a file to the card - no problem
Unplug card and plug back into X3i - no problem (file is there)

Plug card with file written on X3i into 300m - 300m says it sees the card but requires format to use the card in the 300m !!!

Repeat the above experiment using the SimpleTech SD card - no problems whatsoever (no formatting required, no read/write problems)

Observations:

The SimpleTech SD, with factory format, worked flawlessly in the 300m & X3i
Checked the SimpleTech factory format with “Flash Format” utility :
Type: FAT16
Sector size: 512 bytes
Cluster size: 16 kb

The SanDisk SD was a different story, worked fine in the 300m but
When inserted in the X3i it required a format in the X3i (and then
it would function in the X3i)

Interestingly, after formatting the SanDisk in the X3i “Flash Format” returned :
Type: FAT32
Sector size: 512 bytes
Cluster size: 512 kb

Again, after formatting the SanDisk in the X3i it would work in
the X3i but not in the 300m (unless I reformatted in the 300m)

I’m beginning to believe that this SanDisk/AXIM problem which
first manifested itself on the AXIM X5 (and now the X3i) is more
then just a SanDisk problem

JmE · 11-01-03, 09:30 PM

Yes, and it was also a Palm problem before the Axim came out. Additionally, if you search over at http:www.brighthand.com you will find the same issues with other PPC's in the past and SanDisk.

-JmE-

numsquat · 11-02-03, 01:55 AM

I have decided not to use Sandisk anymore. After having a 256MB fail in both pda's and dig cameras, no more, I don't cate about the cost. I've been able to pick up SimpleTech cars at Sams Club as cheap as on he internet and ave no problems, pda or dig camera, with them.

Problems in a Palm M05, Dell Axim 5 and Koda dig camera, plus Lexar 5 in 1 card read and a Jumpdrive reader.

11-02-03, 01:56 AM

get a pny, no probs

JmE · 11-02-03, 03:12 AM

Be cautious, SanDisk contollers apparently may show up in other brand cards.

-JmE

Astounded EEG · 11-02-03, 03:43 AM

except simpletech, panasonic, and some others

JmE · 11-02-03, 10:09 AM

Thanks. I knew you were more up to date.

Now I know Which brands to look for.

-JmE-

VDK · 11-03-03, 02:16 AM

i use a 512mb sandisk sd and it works on my x3i. love it to death!

woodenshoes · 11-04-03, 03:55 PM

I had ActiveSync problems out of the box...what I realized was that the SanDisk 256MB SD card was the problem. SanDisk's website says that some cards are faulty and they'll replace them.

I figured out the issue - I had installed a SanDisk 256 MB SD card (and took out the Dell card which shipped with the Axim X3i)...that SanDisk card, I found out, has some bug in it, which messed up the ActiveSync.

The first time I removed the SanDisk card, all went well.

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