Only 1 Compact Flash Card Can Be Use – Others Are Ignored

The most common reason why only one Compact Flash Card is usable when multiple Compact Flash Cards are connected is due to a device signature collision.

If you are dealing with bootable devices and seeing this problem, we are confident a collision is the issue. If you are not dealing with a bootable device, then our information below will, probably, not help.

Compact Flash Card hard drive sketch

What is a Compact Flash Card signature collision?

A signature collision can happen on any bootable device, so Compact Flash Card cards, SD cards, microSD cards and USB flash drives. A disk signature is a unique identifier number (UID). It is a unique identifier stored as part of the MBR (Master Boot Record) for an operating system loaded on the device. The operating system will use the UID to identify and distinguish between storage devices. It is commonly made up of eight alphanumeric characters. A disk collision occurs when your operating system (Windows) detects that there are two disks with identical signatures.

For Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10, these versions of Windows will disable the second drive and will not allow that second volume to mount until the disk collision has been rectified. If you are reading this article, chances are, this is exactly what is happening to you.

The first thing to do is navigate to the Disk Management tool with in Windows. To do this, use the search tool and type in Disk Management. This will take you to the utility that Windows offers. Here you can see your multiple devices connected. If you click or hover over the device not working you will see one of two messages:

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Exceria Pro From Toshiba is New CF Card Format – Ultra Fast

Toshiba announced the launch of a new line CompactFlash (CF) memory cards, the Exceria Pro series, specifically targeting the DSLR (digital single less reflex) market. The new cards will be compatible with CF revision 6.0 and will offer performance even higher than XQD format, previously developed by Nikon and Sony and is a proprietary format. The initial line-up of 16GB, 32GB, 64GB cards will come to market Q2 2013 and offer the world’s highest level read (up to 160MB/s) and write (up to 150MB/s) speeds. Exceria Pro will position Toshiba to meet the demands of the high-end DSLR market, including high resolution image capture, sustained continuous shooting, HD video recording and high speed data transfers to other devices. Fully compliant with UDMA7 high speed interface anyone using with high speed DSLRs or video with VPG-20 standards will benefit from this increased speed format. Interestingly the CF market is going to increase up to 50% between now and 2015.  In addition, this might be the perfect high speed card to use with our previous post, the Nexcopy CF Duplicator. Continue Reading 12 Comments

CF Duplicator – Press Release – New from Nexcopy Inc.

LAKE FOREST, Calif.–Nexcopy Inc., a leading manufacturer in USB Duplicator solutions, announces their all new CF Duplicator system for data loading to Compact Flash cards.

With Nexcopy’s Drive Manager software suite (included with purchase) the user has powerful tools to make data loading a simple process. The software includes six copy functions so the user can select the best method for the job. The six copy methods are:

  • File Copy
  • Device Copy – Short
  • Device Copy – Full
  • IMG Copy
  • Copy Add
  • Data Streaming

Other features of the CF Duplicator by Nexcopy

  • CF Duplicator with all new design
  • Deep CF sockets with guides for easy insert and removal
  • CF Duplicator available in 15, 30 and 45 target systems
  • Auto detect power for 110 or 220
  • Bulk data read / extract files from Compact Flash cards

Nexcopy is announcing the all new design of our CF duplicator solutions. These robust and reliable CF duplicator systems are available in 15 socket, 30 socket and 45 socket configurations.

CF Duplicator

The new CF Duplicators by Nexcopy Company are designed with functionality and ergonomics in mind. With top loading CF sockets in combination with deep rail guides to easily insert and remove CF media the new system will virtually eliminate bent pins from high volume duplication of CF media.

“Coupling the power of Nexcopy’s Drive Manager software and the new CF duplicator design our system can handle any configuration requirement by contract manufacturers or fulfillment houses,” reports Greg Morris, President of Nexcopy. “The system is PC based and provides tools such as duplication from IMG files, unique data streaming to each socket, network connectivity and rich Graphical User Interface for performance feedback and log reporting.”

All CF duplicators can copy from an archive IMG file, from a physical master device and include binary bit by bit verification functions. These systems are ideal for bootable CF cards. The new CF Duplicators by Nexcopy.com are available for immediate purchase with a starting price of $1,299 US dollars.

CompactFlash (CF) cards are primarily used for storing digital data in a wide range of devices, especially those that require high-capacity and high-performance storage solutions. While their popularity has somewhat waned with the emergence of other storage formats like SD cards and SSDs, CF cards are still utilized in various applications, including:

Video Cameras and Camcorders: CF cards are commonly used in professional video cameras and camcorders for recording high-quality video footage. Their fast data transfer rates and reliability make them ideal for capturing high-definition video in demanding production environments.

Embedded Systems and Industrial Applications: CF cards are frequently used in embedded systems, industrial computers, and electronic devices that require rugged and reliable storage solutions. Their durability, high storage capacities, and resistance to shock, vibration, and extreme temperatures make them suitable for use in harsh operating environments.

Data Storage and Transfer: CF cards are also used for general-purpose data storage and transfer in various devices, including computers, laptops, digital audio recorders, and handheld devices. They can be used to store documents, music, videos, software, and other digital files.

Gaming Consoles and Arcade Machines: CF cards have been used in some gaming consoles, arcade machines, and gaming peripherals for storing game data, firmware updates, and other content. While not as common as other storage formats like SD cards or internal storage, CF cards have found niche applications in certain gaming systems.

Medical Devices and Equipment: CF cards are sometimes used in medical devices and equipment, such as medical imaging devices, patient monitoring systems, and diagnostic equipment. Their reliability, compatibility, and storage capacity make them suitable for storing medical data and images.

Data Recovery and Forensics: CF cards are sometimes used in data recovery and forensic applications, where they may be used to recover data from damaged or corrupted storage media, analyze digital evidence, or perform forensic investigations.

Source:   GetUSB.info.

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XQD Is A New Compact Flash Specification

The Compact Flash Association introduced a new standard recently.  The standard was release because CF media continues to get press from high performing SD cards where most camera manufacturers are favoring.  I suspect the SD format is more inviting because of the smaller form factor.  Well this is where the XQD spec address’ that issue.

Key features of the XQD format include: a 38.5mm by 29.9mm by 3.8mm optimized size format, greater durability, scalable high performance interface, based on PCI Express 2.5Gbps today and 5Gbps in the future (instead of PCMCIA used by SD cards), and actual write speed targets of 125MB/sec and higher.
“The XQD format will enable further evolution of hardware and imaging applications, and widen the memory card options available to CompactFlash users such as professional photographers,”
said Shigeto Kanda CFA chairman and Canon executive. Licensing for CFA members will start in early 2012, and no camera makers have announced plans to use the format yet. Continue Reading 1 Comment

What is CFast?

CFast is a variant of Compact Flash.  A traditional Compact Flash card is based off ATA or IDE bus for data transfer.  Since most CF cards are used for embedded applications, the forum was looking to increase speed.  They did this by creating CFast which is a technology based of Serial ATA bus.

What is CFast Card

This means the connector is completely different for Compact Flash cards and CFast cards.  So if you are thinking about increasing your performance of a CF card while using your traditional CF card Reader, you’ll be S.O.L.  The CFast uses a different connection type.  In addition, if you are using the CF cards for camera’s, you’ll have to get a new camera…one that supports CFast connection.  CFast cards use a 7-pin SATA data connector (identical to the standard SATA connector). The data transfer rate of CFast is about 3 times faster than Compact Flash.  So we’ve jumped from 100MB/s to about 300MB/s. Continue Reading 1 Comment

Recover File From Compact Flash Card

If you need to recover files from a Compact Flash card then try Flash Memory Toolkit.  This software package is a free download for most features and will perform functions like read/write benchmark tests and recover files from a flash card or flash drive.

recover file, Compact flash card

USBPerformance software will allow you to recover a file from a Compact Flash card.  This is how it works. The utility will make a binary image of your Compact Flash card…it doesn’t matter if you can’t read the data or not, it’ll still make an image file. Then the utility will mount the image file as a drive letter on your computer [PC only]. From here you can browse your content and recover that file from your Compact Flash card. In most cases, when a flash card goes bad [either CF, SD, microSD or USB] the problem or error is from the partition table or the File Allocation Table.  Since this mounting of an image gets past those issues, you can get into where the files are stored…from here you can copy them out to a normal working part of your hard drive or another removable media. Give it a go.  USB Performance website with a link directly to the file recovery page. Continue Reading 1 Comment

Compact Flash 5.0 Specification Breaches 144PB Capacity

The Compact Flash Organization [site] released their new 5.0 specification earlier today.  It just blew the cap off the lid of storage limits.  The current specification for Compact Flash is 137GBs…now that is 144 Petabytes, or PBs. Petabyte is a big number, and most people haven’t heard of it.  Well, to break it down, a petabyte is [around] 150 million Gigabytes. Look around your house for some Blu-ray discs, that would equal six million blu-ray titles on one Compact Flash card.  I guess that means no more RAID boxes, right?  I mean, what’s better than solid state memory and storage the size of Texas?

petabyte compact flash

We started doing the math on the time it would take a CF Duplicator to copy a 5.0 Compact Flash card, laughed and stopped.  There just isn’t technology out there for bulk data loading to a device like this…let alone finding a ligitimate use of putting that much information on the card anyway. So we don’t see a practical use for the 5.0 spec yet, but there are other improvements we should get excited about.  The CFA says Revision 5.0 brings an optional quality of service framework that guarantees a certain level of performance and prevents dropping frames, more efficient cleanup of unused space, a new electrical design that better complies with ATA standards. There’s no mention of when CompactFlash 5.0 cards will ship, but if you are still interested you can read up on the new spec here [PDF], or download the official specification for a C note. Continue Reading 2 Comments

45 Target CF Duplicator From Nexcopy – CF450PC

Nexcopy Corporation released a new line of flash memory duplication systems, the CF Duplicator 150PC, 300PC and 450PC.   These PC based systems are ideal for doing bulk data loading to Compact Flash cards.

CF Duplicator

Nexcopy has some unique features to make any data loading job a breeze.   For example, you can put unique files to each CF card through their Unique Data Copy function.   Or a user can easily copy bootable Compact Flash cards by using the bit for bit Short Image copy function.   The Short Image copy function means only the data clusters used on the CF card will be copied to the target devices…rather than the entire thing.

However, Nexcopy also provides a Full Image copy function if that is required.   I’m thinking this would be good for Ext2 or Ext3 Linux formats where there are potential files that could be in any sector of the CF media.

Nexcopy Inc.   CF Duplicator line starts out with the CF150PC at $1,200 with an upgrade path to the 30 port and 45 port systems.   So the CF Duplicator is modular in design.

Nexcopy also mentions a user can mix and match duplicator boxes, so you could now copy to SD media, CF media and USB sticks all through one software interface, and at the same time!   Not bad.

CF Duplicator Copy Modes

The Drive Manager software offers six copy modes to accomidate any need a user may have. The six copy modes are:

  • File Copy
  • File Copy Add
  • Image File Copy (.img)
  • Unique Data Streaming to each card
  • Device Copy – short
  • Device Copy – full

You can learn more by visiting the product page: CF Duplicator by Nexcopy.
https://www.nexcopy.com/cf-duplicator/

CompactFlash (CF) cards are primarily used for storing digital data in a wide range of devices, especially those that require high-capacity and high-performance storage solutions. While their popularity has somewhat waned with the emergence of other storage formats like SD cards and SSDs, CF cards are still utilized in various applications, including:

Digital Cameras: CF cards have long been favored by professional photographers and enthusiasts for use in digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras and high-end digital cameras. Their large storage capacities and fast read/write speeds make them well-suited for capturing high-resolution images and recording high-definition video.

Video Cameras and Camcorders: CF cards are commonly used in professional video cameras and camcorders for recording high-quality video footage. Their fast data transfer rates and reliability make them ideal for capturing high-definition video in demanding production environments.

Embedded Systems and Industrial Applications: CF cards are frequently used in embedded systems, industrial computers, and electronic devices that require rugged and reliable storage solutions. Their durability, high storage capacities, and resistance to shock, vibration, and extreme temperatures make them suitable for use in harsh operating environments.

Data Storage and Transfer: CF cards are also used for general-purpose data storage and transfer in various devices, including computers, laptops, digital audio recorders, and handheld devices. They can be used to store documents, music, videos, software, and other digital files.

Gaming Consoles and Arcade Machines: CF cards have been used in some gaming consoles, arcade machines, and gaming peripherals for storing game data, firmware updates, and other content. While not as common as other storage formats like SD cards or internal storage, CF cards have found niche applications in certain gaming systems.

Medical Devices and Equipment: CF cards are sometimes used in medical devices and equipment, such as medical imaging devices, patient monitoring systems, and diagnostic equipment. Their reliability, compatibility, and storage capacity make them suitable for storing medical data and images.

Data Recovery and Forensics: CF cards are sometimes used in data recovery and forensic applications, where they may be used to recover data from damaged or corrupted storage media, analyze digital evidence, or perform forensic investigations.

Source: GetUSB.info.

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Super Talent Announces New Compact Flash Cards

Super Talent is pushing out a new line of Compact Flash cards, then CFast series.  The CFast has a maximum bandwidth of 375MBs which is nearly four times faster than a traditional high end CF card at 90MBs.

CFast compact flash

The new CFast storage card breaks the speed bottleneck between the SSD and the device by using a SATA interface. Super Talent has clocked these CFast cards at up to 200MB/sec read speeds. With a Super Talent CFast storage card installed, there will be no waiting time for the camera to catch up, and it will be much swifter to view pictures on a camera or to copy them to computer. Measuring 36.4 x 42.8 x 3.3mm for Type I CFast storage cards and 36.4 x 42.8 x 5.0mm for Type II, the same physical dimensions as the CompactFlash card, the CFast Storage Card has a single-chip controller and flash memory module. The SATA interface consists of a 7-pin signal connector and a 17-pin power and control connector. The card operates at 3.3V. Super Talent is offering five different CFast storage cards, 8GB and 16GB based on SLC (Single Level Cell) flash and 8GB, 16GB and 32GB based on MLC (Multi Level Cell) flash. The first generation of CFast storage cards supports transfer speeds up to 200MB/s. Source: SuperTalent. Continue Reading 2 Comments

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