What's killing my SD cards?

[volker]

I'm using a SanDisk 128MB SD-card with my iPaq 3950. Yesterday (for the 2nd time in 6 months!!!) it just died on me. At first Resco explorer claimed that there were no files on it (and of course there were). Than my iPaq told me I needed to format the card to use it. And finally nothing will work any more.

What the hell is going on? Does anybody have problems with SanDisk SD cards? Is San Disk to blame or is it me? Lately I get shocked a lot when I touch door knobs (and I have the iPaq in my pocket - where it belongs). Could that be a reason? Are there better SD cards out there?

Thanks for your help,
Volker

[dean_shan]

I had problems with my 128MB SD card, also from SanDisk. It worked fine and then one day it just died and would only hold 10MBs. Good thing SanDisk has a five year warrenty and they replaced it for free.

[trachy]

Does the 3950 have the push/push slot for the SD card? I know that on my 3835 you have to push the card in to initiate a proper eject. If you don't (and instead just pull it out), you can both ruin the slot and the card.

[tkoons]

I have read several posts about the sandisk 128 sd card corrupting data on the e740. In a nutshell I found Sandisk's response saying that if manufacturers don't follow the guidlines of the specification they have no control over it. Funny thing is Toshiba made the spec on SD memory. :roll:

[TopDog]

I have a 128Mb Sd from Pretec... other than the fact that I only get 124Mb out of it, it works excelent.

I've had the same problems that you have with Simple Tech CF-cards... several of them as the matter of fact.

I would have returned it if I where you!

[bobkatt]

Yes, you should not be shocking your PDA.
Electrical charges are what is used to record information on the cards.
Shocking your PDA will distrupt the information in memory.

It's possible that the internal memory is better shielded and always electricity flows towards the least path of resistance.
Thereby going to your SD card.

You do have the warranty and Sandisk will replace it for you but at the end of the day, you only had this happen 2 times in 6 months. Therefore I would always ground yourself before picking up the PDA. Touch some other large metal item whenever possible. Some people generate more static electricity then others.

Getting a new one will most likely not resolve your issues unless you change manufactures to one that is better shielded. This being said though, I am not aware of one that would be a better product over Sandisk.

Good luck

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

This being said though, I am not aware of one that would be a better product over Sandisk.
People obviously have varying opinions, but let me say that if there is any brand that people DO discriminate against, no question it's SanDisk.

I'm not saying SanDisk is to blame for your problems, the static charges may have something to do with this as well, but for *some* of us, the name "SanDisk" is not exactly synonymous with high-quality.

OTOH, Lexar has a rock-solid reputation across-the-board and I'd recommend getting a card from them IF you can't get a free replacement from SanDisk or IF you decide to scrap them altogether.

[bobkatt]

Hi Ekkie:

Any idea if the Lexars memory card issues when static is involved?

Sandisk was one of the manufacturers that created many of the memory specification like those used with CF cards. Just curious on if Lexar uses these standards or if they have exceeded the standards in their memory cards?

The reason I ask this is that the company reputation is great with Lexar but this could stem more from customer satisfaction in support, warranty and other issues and may not reflect that the actual product itself is better.

Bob

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Any idea if the Lexars memory card issues when static is involved?
Couldn't say for sure. I've had a few occasions where I shocked myself when reaching for my iPaq, but I've never seen data corruption issues with my Lexar SDs. I don't know if my static shocks have been less severe compared to the original poster's or if there really is something else going on with his card... I just don't have enough evidence to form a conclusion...

Sandisk was one of the manufacturers that created many of the memory specification like those used with CF cards. Just curious on if Lexar uses these standards or if they have exceeded the standards in their memory cards?
You're right. In fact, SanDisk was probably the first to the gate in getting SD cards out the door in North America. Keep in mind though, that several companies were involved with writing the SD spec. Toshiba was also a core member of that committee and yet, SanDisk cards have had known issues with certain line(s) Toshiba PPCs. SanDisk may say that's Toshiba's fault, but it doesn't appear that any other SD cards have such issues with Toshiba.

The reason I ask this is that the company reputation is great with Lexar but this could stem more from customer satisfaction in support, warranty and other issues and may not reflect that the actual product itself is better.
I've heard some poor things about SanDisk customer support. In one instance, I think it was Dave Beauvais (one of the PPCT Reviewers) who stated it took quite a while before SanDisk would respond to his pleas for help (he had a corrupted card). He had sent several emails and may have even called their support desk several times.

With Lexar, I have only heard of one incident. I remember someone saying they couldn't get their Lexar CF to work with their new Dell PPC (though the card worked fine in other devices). They called Lexar and the support people there were surprised and went so far as to ask if they could have the "faulty" card brought into their labs for testing (they would send a replacement card sent in the interim). I don't know what happened from there, but I never heard anything regarding this issue again, so I assume it was a one-time incident.

Not too shabby if you ask me!

[bobkatt]

Thanks for your detailed explanation Ekkie.

Lexar seems to be doing whatever they can to satisfy their customers.

From my experience, Sandisk has been excellent too.

Bob