Formatting CF card to be used in DCS520

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nausee
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Formatting CF card to be used in DCS520

Post by nausee »

I am having problem using Compact Flash card with adaptor on my DCS520.

I have a 1Gb SanDisk Extreme III CF card which is formatted in XP, and I have been using it with my D1x without problem. It read/write fine on DCS520. But after using it on DCS520, no files were shown in windows explorer. Luckily I can retrieve all photos using some file recovery program.

So I have done an experiment.
1. Formatting a 32Mb CF card on DCS520, all file can be shown/read in windows explorer, however
2. Formatting the same 32Mb CF on XP, took some pictures with it on DCS520, then no files can be shown in windows explorer.

I wonder whether some special parameter are required (beside it being FAT) to format a CF card to be used on DCS520. Or would it be caused by a faulty CF to PCMCIA adaptor? Thanks.

Frank.
nikonnl
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Re: Formatting CF card to be used in DCS520

Post by nikonnl »

Hi Frank,
I don't think there is a problem with the adapter. I would never format a card, used in a DCS camera, in a PC running under Windows XP (and higher). I think it is a FAT-problem. I would also advise you to open the cards/files in an older Nikon View (e.g. 6) software (not in explorer). I have/had no problems in opening DCS410/420 images. Format the cards in the camera.
Maybe this is of any help.
Regards,
Nico
D1/D1X/D1H/D2H/D2X etc.
Stan Disbrow
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Re: Formatting CF card to be used in DCS520

Post by Stan Disbrow »

Hi,

Sounds like the old FAT-12 vs FAT-16 issue to me. Winders defaults to FAT-16...

Stan
Amateur Photographer
Professional Electronics Development Engineer
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