Sandisk SD Card - Page 3

Bratman · 03-14-03, 03:02 PM

This is all very interesting! It seems that the SanDisk Company is over paying the quality assurance dept. 'Cause they're doing a crappy job.

It would be interesting if someone, possibly our host, could call or email someone of importance at SanDisk with the facts and outline of our discussions.

I wonder if they would even be interested?

Rik

sdhenderson · 03-16-03, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sdowright
I wanted mega space for just my MP3's that I wanted to travel with so I got the 1 gig-a-byte SanDisk card. I already had an IBM 1 gig-a-byte microdrive and love that for my camera but with the smaller battery I needed to save some juice. I've had zero problems with this SanDisk 1 gig-a-byte CF. I have never formated this, just popped it in out of the package and started copying files to it. I have had some issues with bad or corrupt files but I've had them in Main and Built-In storage with the same corrupt files. I usually transfer 60-80 megs at a time when uploading files to the AX. Unless someone could beat the price I'll probalby buy another one since this one works so well. I can pull it out and put it back in anytime and access any files I want. I've got 64 and 256 SanDisk cards that I used with my Canon camera before I bought the MicroDrive and they still work great, my daughter uses them in her AX, bought both of them at the same time. 400mhz units in January, 2003.

So far I have only heard of problems with Sandisk Secure Digital Cards, not CF cards.

Fritz · 03-16-03, 07:50 PM

I thought I'd add my 2cents...

Got my 256MB SD w/ Cruzer on Fri-nite, put it through some stress-testing to see how reliable it is before I put it to real use. After about copying and deleting 1 Gig of data (that's only 4 cycles of the card's capacity), the card was officially 'certified' on Sat-nite (its dead).

This problem is not isolated to my Ax, since I've tried using this card in my Minolta DimageX and the Cruzer drive.

Tried formatting through camera, WinXP, and StorageTool in Ax numerous times. Formats OK, but only the first ~13MB or so can be accessed before error message.

Cheers.

elishab · 03-17-03, 07:31 AM

My 128 MB Sandisk SD card (from Costco, 39.99 after $10 rebate) spontaneoulsy corrupted so badly that even my card reader can't read it.

Every now and then, the Axim would ask me if I wanted to reformat the card so it can use it (it didn't ask me that when I first inserted the card, BTW). I would say no, and continue using the card with no problems. One day I accidentlally hit yes. I was never able to use it after that. I bought a card reader to try to access it and reformat it, to no avail. When the card's inserted, the computer won't even recognize the reader.

I'm using an identical card (I exchanged it), but now I use the card reader (it's a Sandisk brand also) to transfer files and not the Axim, as it's much faster anyway. So far, I've had no problems. I won't ever again let the Axim format a card. I don't know if it's the card, the Axim, or the combination of the two.

Bratman · 03-17-03, 04:43 PM

HELLO, SANDISK ARE YOU OUT THERE? ARE YOU LISTENING?
:crooked:

Rik

sdhenderson · 03-20-03, 05:58 PM

I found the following info on another thread regarding Sandisk SD cards. It is the best explanation of the "ignore_my_docs" file problem I have seen so far. I still haven't had any problems with my SD card since I used Flash Format and had it create a "My Documents" folder after the format.

Maybe the two problems are related?

(Tim's Quote)

"The ignore_my_docs file is placed there by the Windows OS. it basicly does just that. If you do not have a "My Documents folder the system places this file there so as to trick it persay to think that the files are placed in the My Documents folder. I am guessing this is done because of the Max 3 level deep limitation on Pocket PC. The problem is that when this file is there and the ignore_my_docs file also is there the system searches and searches and searches, endlessy to basicly freeze your system up and having to do a soft reset. but it will go bonkers again when you access files on the card.

The Ignore_my_docs file is a hidden system file. You will have to enable to show hidden docs from your desktop and use your desktop system to browse the Mobile device. Pocket PC does not show Hidden files that I am aware of.

In any add on cards, format then add a My Documents folder and always delete the Darn ignore_my_docs file.

Tim"

(from 2 of Timdjohn's posts)

louperz71 · 03-23-03, 12:31 AM

I have a 256MB SanDisk SD card. When I first got it I had problems with the file system. I downloaded StorageTools from SoftWinter and repaired the card. Shortly after that I reformatted the card. Unfortunately my card did not like the smaller 512 cluster size. After that I had to reformat it again. It is currently using a FAT 16 format with the default cluster size. This last format was done using Windows 2000 and the SanDisk Imagemate Dual Reader (bought from NewEgg )

Since this last format I have had to repair the file system once because of an aborted installation that caused corruption to it. I used chkdsk to complete this.

I still like my SanDisk card and am looking foward to buying more. I've been staking out the "Hot Deals" section...

rxman · 03-23-03, 11:32 AM

I give up Ive only owned the sandisk 256mg sd for 10 days and Ive lost all data 12 to 20 times. I ordered a Lexar and am returning Sandisk .

Bagelsnbrew · 03-23-03, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by louperz71
I have a 256MB SanDisk SD card. When I first got it I had problems with the file system. I downloaded StorageTools from SoftWinter and repaired the card. Shortly after that I reformatted the card. Unfortunately my card did not like the smaller 512 cluster size. After that I had to reformat it again. It is currently using a FAT 16 format with the default cluster size. This last format was done using Windows 2000 and the SanDisk Imagemate Dual Reader (bought from NewEgg )

Since this last format I have had to repair the file system once because of an aborted installation that caused corruption to it. I used chkdsk to complete this.

I still like my SanDisk card and am looking foward to buying more. I've been staking out the "Hot Deals" section...

I have a friend who's selling a '01 Subaru that you would probably love! It generally runs fine, except it has random electrical problems that mean on occasion, it has to be towed back to the dealership. They replace random parts of the electrical system each time and it runs great till it breaks down again. It sounds like the perfect vehicle for you.

03-23-03, 11:53 PM

Here's my Sandisk 256 MB story (with happy ending :) )

Bought it at Costco and plunked it into the Ax straight out of the package. It allowed me to create files, but nothing I transferred into these files showed, even though the memory was in use.

After reading these boards I picked up Storage Tools and formatted the card. The first format was Fat 16 and everything seemd to work fine until I had to do a soft reset. I left the card in the Ax during the reset and after that the card was corrupted.

So I reformatted at Fat 32 (and 4K clusters...I think...don't remember) and it has worked without error since then. I leave it installed all the time and have have many soft-resets with nary a problem now.

Chris...

derobbie · 03-25-03, 02:21 AM

I used to have a Palm m 130 with SD slot. So I bought a 64 M card from Sandisk then. (Palm OS apps are a lot smaller) I now use the card on my Dell and I only experience one problem:

when I play MP3's from it, the audio software (Pocketmind player) tends to crash. I already downloaded another player from Pocketmind that is supposed to solve the problem but I haven(t had the chance to install it.

I can't complain, in other words. A soft reset solves it.

NeoAxim · 03-26-03, 05:05 PM

This has to be one of the most repetitive topics on all PPC sites.

Basically it starts with someone asking “what’s a good card” or “why does my card refuse to copy large files” or any variation of that kind of question. A few messages in you find out they have a Sandisk and the debate begins.
You get a few posts of users who knock Sandisk and then you get a few people who sing their praises and explain how they have used a Sandisk for X amount of months or years and it has never given them a problem and next thing you know a Poll is started.

Lets just cut through all this for this thread ok?
Bottom line you want to know which card to buy? You have a number of choices which include but are not limited to Lexar, Viking, Smartmedia, PNY, Sandisk etc etc.......

As far as Sandisk is concerned yes they have unbelievable prices.
BUT go through ANY forum out there that deals with PPC and do a search on the simple term Sandisk and see what you come up with.
Will you get users who like Sandisk and have had cards for 3 years without a problem? Of course! To assume no card Sandisk makes would work is just silly! How would they sustain themselves as a company if they couldn't at least put some amount of working product out there?!!?
Yes if you buy a Sandisk you have a chance, maybe even a good chance, of getting a perfectly working card.
BUT the point is simple there are just way way way too many threads and posts out there that list numerous issues with Sandisk cards on MANY platforms. Not just the Axim, not just a Toshiba, not just a IPAQ, a number of platforms.
If your question is what company puts out a card that works well and has a solid, not perfect, but a solid reputation than point your credit card in the direction of a Lexar or Viking.

If you want a cheaper card and are willing to take the risk that it may not work than by all means get a Sandisk.

Some trashing the Sandisk and others singing their praises has been done to death in all these forums.
In fact this topic has been discussed so extensively there should be a FAQ on every site.

Its all personal preference and experience in the end.
Sandisk's quality is questionable despite the fact they have MANY perfectly functioning cards out there. But if you are comfortable with that then invest in a Sandisk. Worst case you get a card with a problem, maybe lose some data if you don’t back up, but I will admit Sandisk has a great return policy and the next card they give you may work great. In which case you got a working card for a great price.

If you need some more confidence in your card up front then spring for the extra couple of bucks and get a Viking or Lexar.

Fact is they are NOT all the same. And sometimes companies don’t always put out quality products. Sandisk just MAY be one of those companies. Just a thought….

sdhenderson · 03-26-03, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NeoAxim
This has to be one of the most repetitive topics on all PPC sites.

........... Sandisk's quality is questionable despite the fact they have MANY perfectly functioning cards out there. But if you are comfortable with that then invest in a Sandisk. Worst case you get a card with a problem, maybe lose some data if you don’t back up, but I will admit Sandisk has a great return policy and the next card they give you may work great. In which case you got a working card for a great price.

If you need some more confidence in your card up front then spring for the extra couple of bucks and get a Viking or Lexar.

Fact is they are NOT all the same. And sometimes companies don’t always put out quality products. Sandisk just MAY be one of those companies. Just a thought….

That is why I started this poll, to try to get a feel for the extent of the problem. We all know problems generate more posts than praise, so I hope this will give more objective data for buyers to consider. From the results of the poll so far, my feelings are that before I buy a Sandisk SD card again, I want a SIGNIFICANTLY lower price than the competition, and a rock solid reseller with a sterling return policy.

I just can't believe that a company can survive in the long term with the kind of numbers I have seen in this poll. A memory card is a pretty simple product without a whole lot of subjective criteria for customer satisfaction.....

mtb · 03-27-03, 08:38 AM

Two 128 MB and one 256 MB SD cards and no problems. Purchased Axim in November and bought first SD card before it arrived. SD and CF cards are used to hold Audiobooks (from audible.com). They are changed regularly and file sizes range from 30 - 80 MB.

pocketpc_dude · 06-03-03, 12:08 PM

ditto ditto ditto. i bought my 256 card at costco and thought i was getting a great deal (little did i know...). before this i was using a san disk 64 meg card i got with my compaq ipaq mp3 player and it was working just fine. so i figured another san disk would work great.

yes please run a poll on the front page. i am really curious to see the number of frustrated people. we need some good data to send to the san disk and dell people.