I have ordered a Sandisk 256MG CF card from Dell. I am now reading about the problems with the Sandisk cards. I have been using a Sandisk 64MG SD card and haven't had any problems.

Is there anything special that I need to do when I get the card to avoid problems? Would it help to have a card reader? When you guys talk about formating the disk, is that something I need to do before I start using it?

I really appreciate all the help you guys give to those of us who aren't quite as experienced in these things! Have a great day!

"The past is history... the future is a mystery. This moment is a gift, which is why it is called the present."

webster603,

I have a Sandisk 256 MB CF disk too. I never had any problems with my 64 MB chip but this one about every 4-5 times I cut it back on it will ask if I want to format it. I tried it once (after backing up the data) and it still does it. I think we need a flash update or something. My e-books on there will have errors after it says the above, and all I do is take it out and put it back in, while running, and everything seems to be fine. It seems to be more of an anoyance than anything but atleast it hasn't killed any of my movies or files. Anyone know if Dell has addressed this yet or not?

Regards,
Ratbear
The Samoan Pomeranian
"If you get Poop on your finger...
make sure you wipe..."

webster603,

Many people use Sandisk cards without any problems. However, there are also those of us that have had "bad luck" with Sandisk cards.

Some claim that formatting a new card using the device that it will be used with can help reduce problems. I have never done this and haven't had any problems.

As for your question regarding a card reader... my personal opinion is that a card reader can be a very useful device. With the wide spread use of memory cards (PDAs, digital cameras, MP3 players, etc.) a multiformat card reader can come in very handy, and they are very inexpensive.

Specific to the Axim, a card reader can be a time saver because it has a much faster transfer rate than when trying to transfer files via an ActiveSync session. For example, I simply pop my CF card out of my Axim and insert it into my multiformat card reader. From Windows Explorer I drag and drop a bunch of MP3s to the card. Then, I remove the card from the reader and pop it back into the Axim. The MP3s are available for playback on my Axim! No waiting...and waiting... for these larger files to transfer via ActiveSync.

Well, I don't mean to add the Sandisk dissatisfied users, but alas I am.

I purchased a 256 SD from Staples/Office Depot yesterday and have had numerous problems with a need to format and data disappearing. I have since returned it and had the store order a 256 Lexar. Surprising it was cheaper at $130 CDN.

I had read eveyrthing on the site and thought I would give it a shot because of stock items. I also thought that due to the number of Sandisk cards on the market, it would be expected there would be some negative comments.

Well, I tried and that is what refund/exchange programs are about. I am happy that some of you Sandisk users are getting along just fine.

D

I am also a sandisk 256mb SD user.... I had all the same issues till I broke down and spent 30$ on a 6in1 reader... now I can do whatever I want to the SD card and it doesn't mess up... So for all of you that own sandisk SD cards I reccomend a usb reader for accessing it... (on the plus side it's about 10x faster than the axim 800kb/s vs the axims 8kb/s since the axim is doing a serial over USB) (and if I had USB 2.0 it would be much faster...

I just bought the 512 from Dell. I do have a card reader since my camera uses CF cards as well. Keeping my fingers crossed I don't have trouble with it once it arrives.

Quinn

Hi, I have a problem with the CF card, I've already tried different brands (lexar) and I use them all day with no problem, but the following day the ppc says it can´t find the programs on the CF and I need to make a soft reset to recognize it again.

Thanks.