How can I tell if my CompactFlash card is failing?
Asked 2/11/2011
0 views
2 answers
0
My Nikon D200 sometimes shows an "Err" message when I shoot a short high-speed burst, and the images from that burst are lost. This only seems to happen with one older 2GB SanDisk Extreme CF card; a different card works normally in the same camera. I usually copy images with a card reader and then format the card in-camera. Reformatting the problem card on my Mac and then in the camera seemed to help briefly, but the issue returned. Is there a reliable way to confirm that the card is failing, and what should I do?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
15
The symptoms you have describe indicate a card you shouldn't trust any more. Bin it and buy a new one before you lose something important to you. The price of memory isn't high at the moment really so you might as well replace it.
Originally by user3664. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user3664
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes — based on these symptoms, the card is no longer trustworthy and should be replaced. If one card repeatedly causes errors in the same camera while another card does not, that strongly points to the card rather than the camera.
A practical check is to fully write data to the card and watch your computer’s system log for any I/O errors while reading or writing. If you see any I/O errors at all, retire the card immediately.
Even without a formal test, intermittent write failures during bursts and lost images are enough reason to stop using it for important photos. Flash cards can fail unpredictably, and when they do, data loss is often unrecoverable.
Good practice: use multiple smaller cards rather than relying on one card, carry spares, and format cards in the camera before shooting. But in this case, the safest answer is simple: don’t trust that card anymore.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI15y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Canon 5D Mark II shows Err 80 with most CF cards after a card was removed too quickly while using Magic Lantern
Is a SanDisk Extreme Pro worth it in a Nikon D3100 that doesn't support UHS-I?
What’s the fastest way to transfer photos from a Canon 5D Mark III to a computer?
Canon EOS 300D still shows “CF full” after changing or removing the CompactFlash card
Can a faulty CompactFlash card damage a camera's card slot?