Frequently Asked Questions

1) How fast is this Compact Flash card?
The speed of our compact flash cards is equivalent to a transfer rate of 3MB per second.

2) Are there any special handling instructions I need to follow when I use my card?
For all cards, be sure to avoid removing them from devices while data is being accessed on them, i.e., pulling it out of a camera while you are previewing an image, or pulling it out of a PDA while you are viewing your stored calendar. Also, do not leave them in devices with low batteries. Flash memory is sensitive to power loss. If the batteries die while the card is in the unit, cards may be corrupted by the sudden power loss. With Smart Media, Secure Digital, and XD cards, avoid touching the gold connectors. This will greatly reduce any chances of electrostatic discharge (ESD) and also prevent any dirt or grease from blocking a good connection. Avoid letting digital media cards pass through airport x-ray machines.

3) Some of my pictures come out corrupted or missing. Is something wrong with my card?
It is possible that some sectors on the card may have been corrupted by abrupt power loss, or the card could be defective. Normally, formatting the card will correct any data corruption problems. If you have frequent data corruption problems, contact us for further assistance.

4) My card is no longer recognized by my camera/PDA/reader. Is something wrong with my card?
It is possible that the card has become defective. If formatting the card is unsuccessful, the card will likely have to be replaced. contact us for replacement of the card.

5) When I connect my card to my PDA, I get errors. Is there something I can do to fix the card?
First, check the manufacturer's website to see if they have any known issues with your device. Some devices may need some software updates to use the card. If other cards work with the device, but ours does not, try it in another device if possible. Also, be sure to attempt to format the card in the device.

6) Why won't your card work in my USB card reader?
Some USB readers require digital media cards to be "USB enabled™". We do not manufacture USB enabled digital media. Our USB readers are capable of reading any digital media cards regardless of technology.

7) I cannot get my card to format in my camera/PDA/reader. What do I do now?
If you have another device you can try to format the card, use it. If that does not work, or you do not have any alternate devices with which to try the card, contact us for replacement of the card.

8) Is it possible to retrieve lost data from the card?
It is possible. Hard disk repair programs like Scandisk, Norton Disk Doctor, and Disk First Aid are able to recover data fragments from corrupted cards. There are also several third party programs, which may be downloaded from the Internet and which can recover lost data. Cards that are unrecognized or unable to be accessed usually cannot have data recovered. You can always contact us for further assistance.

9) Is your digital media USB enabled™?
No. We have not licensed USB Enabled™ technology for digital media. This prohibits our cards from working in devices that require USB Enabled™ media.