I've used two 64mb compact flash cards for the past 15 months now. About a month ago on insertion into my camera, the screen told me that I was 'unable to use the card'. Now, the second one has gone that way.
Why? Is there a usage limit on cf cards? I can still use them in my pc.
I think you may be experiencing a problem with the electrical connection between the card and the camera. If the cards work reliably with the PC, then they are OK, it's either the connection to the camera or the communications. It does not necessarily mean it's the camera, could be the connector on the card.
Also try reformatting the card to ensure that it's not just a flaky format issue. Format in the camera if possible.
If your CF compartment door is not tied to a switch (so you can turn the camera on with the door open), try inserting the card, putting a bit of pressure on it and turning on the camera. If you can "encourage" the card to work you've then verified that the problem is the connection.
Why? Is there a usage limit on cf cards? I can still use them in my pc.
There is a usage limit on CF, but if they work in the PC I'd be susprised if it was that?
CF cards are made up of 'cells'. Each cell has a life of about 100,000 writes. However, a 128MB card, say, will have more than 128MB worth of cells, so the card can swap out dead cells and replace them with other cells.
As I said, if they work in your PC though, it doesn't sound like this.. Also, 100,000 writes is quite a lot. :-)
I can't format in the camera because the camera won't recognise the card. I re-formatted in the pc, as well as doing a scan disk check. To no avail.
I'd be unhappy to see 2x64mb go down the drain, camera-wise.
On a more sobering note - I threw out an old jacket today. It was only after hours of searching for my remaining 256mb cf that I realised that it must be in the jacket. I ran out to the rubbish area, found my jacket still there and retrieved my disk. Silly me.
I've had a careful eye on a 256mb cf card for the last few weeks. The camera seems to write to it correctly and the computer reads it without any problems but when I transfer files from the computer to the cf card they end up corrupted. I think the culprit is going to be the card reader.
