Swapping media - I am going mad somebody help me

Gordon Robb · Apr 30, 2003

I have just replaced my 512 MB CF card for a 1GB Microdrive. I am still getting the 'card not initialised' message that I got before.

However, I have managed to get it to work a couple of times, depending on the sequence I follow changing from SM to CF.

Can someone please tell me the exact sequence to follow as I think I am close to sending the whole lot back, and going back to film.

MikeBee · Apr 30, 2003

At the risk of being unhelpful.. Have you read the manual?

I ask as in reference to your previous message re cf cards you may have missed the part in the manual that specifically states that only microdrive cf is supported.

I am intrigued as to what different methods you can be using, some of which work and some of which dont!

I have never had a problem selecting primary media to cf the set up menu.

I never have taken the microdrive out though as I upload to pc from cam not a reader, but I have had the intialize message when not removing the drive from the desktop before removing the usb connection... is that it by any chance?

Maybe a little helpfully..Mike Bee

alex imaginor · Apr 30, 2003

HI
I have CF and SM 128M and have no trobles so far with it.

I was getting out CF, putting it back, declaring primary and secondary card - no troubles at all.
SM is from olympus, so I format it every time I put it in 602
I know that this dosen't help at all, but...
Alex

Gordon Robb said:
I have just replaced my 512 MB CF card for a 1GB Microdrive. I am
still getting the 'card not initialised' message that I got before.

However, I have managed to get it to work a couple of times,
depending on the sequence I follow changing from SM to CF.

Can someone please tell me the exact sequence to follow as I think
I am close to sending the whole lot back, and going back to film.

Boo · Apr 30, 2003

Gordon Robb said:
I have just replaced my 512 MB CF card for a 1GB Microdrive. I am
still getting the 'card not initialised' message that I got before.

However, I have managed to get it to work a couple of times,
depending on the sequence I follow changing from SM to CF.

Can someone please tell me the exact sequence to follow as I think
I am close to sending the whole lot back, and going back to film.

I have a MD and SM card in the camera at the same time. I personally have had no problems just going to the settings menu and changing the selected primary media and carrying on - I've never had any warnings and never needed to format - although I'm about to use the MD to get some other data off my old laptop, so will then before using it again for photos. I've never powered down or followed any specific sequence to make the changes.

While I was away last week I also took the MD out in order to use a PC card to download onto my laptop and even when doing that several times, I experienced no difficulties when putting it back in the camera, which I did to erase the now dwnloaded images before filling it again. I do remember however a thread here some time ago where someone said they had to switch the camera off after changing media in the memory in order for it to be seen by the camera - I personally haven't had to, but it might be worth a try.

Just re-reading your post, have you moved from CF to MD or the other way as some types of CF are not supported? Is your new card new or has it been used before?

--
Fuji S602Z and 2800Z
http://www.peekaboo.me.uk - general portfolio
http://www.boo-photos.co.uk - live music photos

Gordon Robb · Apr 30, 2003

Mike

I have read the manual, however, let me explain what I have gone through. Forget the CF card. I got a 1G microdrive this morning. Put it in my machine, turned the knob to 'setup' and switched it on. I changed the memory to CF and switched off. Turned the knob to auto, switched on and got the 'card not initialized' error. I only tried to format it (which failed) and run it in my laptop because I got this error.

The different methods I am talking about are related to when you turn the knob back and to 'setup' when/if you switch off between changes (there are a lot of different options). One of the times it worked and I cannot recreate it, suffice to say that it was working, I switched the camera off, and when I switched it on got 'card not initialized again'. I fit is as easy as you seem to suggest I think I have a problem.

Can you tell me the step-by-step process you follow to switch, and I will try that.

Thanks for the help.

MikeBee said:
At the risk of being unhelpful.. Have you read the manual?

I ask as in reference to your previous message re cf cards you may
have missed the part in the manual that specifically states that
only microdrive cf is supported.

I am intrigued as to what different methods you can be using, some
of which work and some of which dont!

I have never had a problem selecting primary media to cf the set up
menu.

I never have taken the microdrive out though as I upload to pc
from cam not a reader, but I have had the intialize message when
not removing the drive from the desktop before removing the usb
connection... is that it by any chance?

Maybe a little helpfully..Mike Bee

Gordon Robb · Apr 30, 2003

Boo

Brand new MD out of the wrapper.

Also, very much like your portfolio, especially the third one along from the top. Is that a slow shutter speed of a river?

Boo said:
Gordon Robb said:

I have just replaced my 512 MB CF card for a 1GB Microdrive. I am
still getting the 'card not initialised' message that I got before.

However, I have managed to get it to work a couple of times,
depending on the sequence I follow changing from SM to CF.

Can someone please tell me the exact sequence to follow as I think
I am close to sending the whole lot back, and going back to film.

Click to expand...

I have a MD and SM card in the camera at the same time. I
personally have had no problems just going to the settings menu and
changing the selected primary media and carrying on - I've never
had any warnings and never needed to format - although I'm about to
use the MD to get some other data off my old laptop, so will then
before using it again for photos. I've never powered down or
followed any specific sequence to make the changes.

While I was away last week I also took the MD out in order to use a
PC card to download onto my laptop and even when doing that several
times, I experienced no difficulties when putting it back in the
camera, which I did to erase the now dwnloaded images before
filling it again. I do remember however a thread here some time
ago where someone said they had to switch the camera off after
changing media in the memory in order for it to be seen by the
camera - I personally haven't had to, but it might be worth a try.

Just re-reading your post, have you moved from CF to MD or the
other way as some types of CF are not supported? Is your new card
new or has it been used before?

--
Fuji S602Z and 2800Z
http://www.peekaboo.me.uk - general portfolio
http://www.boo-photos.co.uk - live music photos

MikeBee · Apr 30, 2003

Oh dear!

I believe, though may be wrong and am mac based, that intializing a card via a pc will not work on the cam. I think it should only be initialized on the cam due to some file structure issue BUT I MAY BE WRONG !

Once Ii have intitialised in the cam I have never had this problem no matter what else I try to do at all so I can't really be of any more help sorry.

Mike bee

shudder · Apr 30, 2003

MikeBee said:
MikeBee wrote:
Oh dear!

Hi Gordon --

Mike puts it well!

I am prolly only going to add to the noise on this as I do not have a fix for whatever ails you, but...

Like others who've responded (Mike, Boo), I got my 1GB MD, put it in the cam, and fired it up -- no special formatting, etc. It worked immediately out of the box! I have no prob at all switching between it and my 128MB SM which I also always keep on board. As Mike states, you might have thrown a wrench into the works by formatting the drive on the PC...

Perhaps someone else wil provide a fix, but I wanted you to know that whatever you are going through does in fact seem weird to those of us who've been using this setup now for many months with NO ERRORS whatsoever. Good luck -- eventually you will sort it out.

best,
shudder

Boo · Apr 30, 2003

Gordon Robb said:
Brand new MD out of the wrapper.

Just clutching at an idea if someone else had used it.

Gordon Robb said:
Also, very much like your portfolio, especially the third one along
from the top. Is that a slow shutter speed of a river?

Yes, it was very cold and the splashed water on the overhanging branches has turned to ice. I don't have it open, but I think if you mouseover the thumbnail image, the alt text tool tip might give the settings I used.

Reading the various posts on this and in the other topic on this and thinking further - the only thing I can think of just now is to switch the camera on in preview mode (green arrow on the dial not photo) and format the MD in camera from there - did I see that you'd done it on the PC? I suspect that might be your problem, the manual suggests all formatting and erasing should be done in camera, not via PC - from memory of previous topics it's something to do with camera file formatting being different bitrates from PCs.

--
Fuji S602Z and 2800Z
http://www.peekaboo.me.uk - general portfolio
http://www.boo-photos.co.uk - live music photos

Rob Ashton · Apr 30, 2003

Gordon Robb said:
I have just replaced my 512 MB CF card for a 1GB Microdrive. I am
still getting the 'card not initialised' message that I got before.

If you are running Windows XP on your PC you may find that the file system is NTFS. Formatting the drive through the PC may not have put the FAT / FAT32 system on.

Plug into your PC and try viewing the drive on the PC. If it shows up no problem you may need to run Fdisk and remove the partition info.

Pop it into your camera and you should be alright. Otherwise it's a dud drive and needs to go back to IBM.

hope this helps.

Rob
--
Go the whole hog....go 4/3 SCCD 4

Gordon Robb · Apr 30, 2003

I on ly tried formating on the PC when it failed to format in the camera. It is almost like the camera cannot see that there is anything in there.

Boo said:
Gordon Robb said:

Brand new MD out of the wrapper.

Click to expand...

Just clutching at an idea if someone else had used it.

Boo said:

Also, very much like your portfolio, especially the third one along
from the top. Is that a slow shutter speed of a river?

Click to expand...

Yes, it was very cold and the splashed water on the overhanging
branches has turned to ice. I don't have it open, but I think if
you mouseover the thumbnail image, the alt text tool tip might give
the settings I used.

Reading the various posts on this and in the other topic on this
and thinking further - the only thing I can think of just now is to
switch the camera on in preview mode (green arrow on the dial not
photo) and format the MD in camera from there - did I see that
you'd done it on the PC? I suspect that might be your problem,
the manual suggests all formatting and erasing should be done in
camera, not via PC - from memory of previous topics it's something
to do with camera file formatting being different bitrates from PCs.

--
Fuji S602Z and 2800Z
http://www.peekaboo.me.uk - general portfolio
http://www.boo-photos.co.uk - live music photos

jkirk@oz · Apr 30, 2003

.. maybe the pins are broken / bent / full of dust / corrosion ...

Shine a bright torch down the slots and view the insides with a magnifying lens etc. You might be able to see if it's obvious.
JKirk

Gordon Robb said:
Gordon Robb wrote:
I have just replaced my 512 MB CF card for a 1GB Microdrive. I am
still getting the 'card not initialised' message that I got before.

Gordon Robb · Apr 30, 2003

I got the camera set-up and working on SM.

I then changed the setting to CF and turned the knob back to Auto (without switching off) and it worked. I took a few snaps (is that a bad word in this forum) switched to view them (nice). But on switching the camera off - then later switching it back on "card not initialized" - its official, I am going mad.

BTW no bent pins or any other problems.

jkirk@oz said:
jkirk@oz said:

Gordon Robb wrote:
I have just replaced my 512 MB CF card for a 1GB Microdrive. I am
still getting the 'card not initialised' message that I got before.

Click to expand...

DomT · Apr 30, 2003

Gordon Robb said:
Gordon Robb wrote:
"card not initialized" - its official, I am going mad.
BTW no bent pins or any other problems.

It would seem that the card is dud or you may have dirty contacts.

Could I suggest dipping an artists brush in CRC or similar & carefully wiping the CF contact pins you can see in the camera?
OK JKirk?

From many of the posts above no-one else seems to have your troubles & neither have I: I have ALWAYS deleted the pix in my card reader. NEVER had any trouble. Using the 602, I snapped a small 640x480 picture of a piece of paper with DO NOT DELETE written on it. I transferred the mem card in my reader and made the file 'READ ONLY'. Now when I take pix they number up from the DND file. After each photo session I put the mem card in the reader, MOVE the new files to harddrive and rename the DND file to the last number pic I took. (It asks if I want to rename the READ ONLY file & I answer yes. I started numbering my 128MB Smartmedia card from 0001 and the 256MB CF card from 5000. Repeat - NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS SINCE OCTOBER 2002 - 4500 PICTURES.

--
DomT NZKiwi

photobob · Apr 30, 2003

Gordon Robb said:
I have just replaced my 512 MB CF card for a 1GB Microdrive. I am
still getting the 'card not initialised' message that I got before.

However, I have managed to get it to work a couple of times,
depending on the sequence I follow changing from SM to CF.

Can someone please tell me the exact sequence to follow as I think
I am close to sending the whole lot back, and going back to film.

May I suggest that since you've had trouble with both CF and Microdrive from the start, that the camera itself may be at fault? It could be that the CF socket has a badly soldered connection to the circuit board. I would suggest swapping cameras. I've never had a card not initialized error on CF, just SM after I switch from CF, and turning the camera off and back on clears that. Having the problem most of the time instead of the reverse is far from normal.

Bob

Gordon Robb · Apr 30, 2003

I have definately proved that when I switch from SM to CF without switching off it always works. As long as I don't switch off I can move between the two types of storage as often as I like. However, if its on CF, and I switch of, when I switch on again, I get the error.

Does this sound like a camera fault?

photobob said:
Gordon Robb said:

I have just replaced my 512 MB CF card for a 1GB Microdrive. I am
still getting the 'card not initialised' message that I got before.

However, I have managed to get it to work a couple of times,
depending on the sequence I follow changing from SM to CF.

Can someone please tell me the exact sequence to follow as I think
I am close to sending the whole lot back, and going back to film.

Click to expand...

May I suggest that since you've had trouble with both CF and
Microdrive from the start, that the camera itself may be at fault?
It could be that the CF socket has a badly soldered connection to
the circuit board. I would suggest swapping cameras. I've never had
a card not initialized error on CF, just SM after I switch from CF,
and turning the camera off and back on clears that. Having the
problem most of the time instead of the reverse is far from normal.

Bob

photobob · Apr 30, 2003

Gordon Robb said:
I have definately proved that when I switch from SM to CF without
switching off it always works. As long as I don't switch off I can
move between the two types of storage as often as I like. However,
if its on CF, and I switch of, when I switch on again, I get the
error.

Does this sound like a camera fault?

It doesn't sound at all normal, so maybe it's a firmware glitch or a poor connection that manifest as a problem except during power up.

Bob

sg10146235 · Apr 30, 2003

Maybe I didn't read every word you've written about this here, but...

1) Why are you using a computer to format cards?
2) Why are you powering on/off during card switches?

Neither is required, nor can I find it recommended anywhere. Try this..

Put the MD in, go to Setup, select CF, go straight to play mode, press the menu/ok button, select format, format the card.

If the normal method doesn't work, something is defective.

Gordon Robb said:
Does this sound like a camera fault?

photobob said:

Gordon Robb said:

I have just replaced my 512 MB CF card for a 1GB Microdrive. I am
still getting the 'card not initialised' message that I got before.

However, I have managed to get it to work a couple of times,
depending on the sequence I follow changing from SM to CF.

Can someone please tell me the exact sequence to follow as I think
I am close to sending the whole lot back, and going back to film.

Click to expand...

May I suggest that since you've had trouble with both CF and
Microdrive from the start, that the camera itself may be at fault?
It could be that the CF socket has a badly soldered connection to
the circuit board. I would suggest swapping cameras. I've never had
a card not initialized error on CF, just SM after I switch from CF,
and turning the camera off and back on clears that. Having the
problem most of the time instead of the reverse is far from normal.

Bob

Click to expand...

Gordon Robb · Apr 30, 2003

Your right, you have not read every word.

I only formated in the PC in desparation, as my camera would not do it. I have now successfully formatted in the camera.

I am only switching off between times that I am using the camera - I think that it is OK to switch the camera off when you are not using it. When I switch it back on - 'card not initialised'. I can get it to work again by switching back to SM and back again to CF, but I assume I should not have to do this.

sg10 said:
1) Why are you using a computer to format cards?
2) Why are you powering on/off during card switches?

Neither is required, nor can I find it recommended anywhere. Try
this..

Put the MD in, go to Setup, select CF, go straight to play mode,
press the menu/ok button, select format, format the card.

If the normal method doesn't work, something is defective.

Gordon Robb said:

Does this sound like a camera fault?

photobob said:

Gordon Robb said:

I have just replaced my 512 MB CF card for a 1GB Microdrive. I am
still getting the 'card not initialised' message that I got before.

However, I have managed to get it to work a couple of times,
depending on the sequence I follow changing from SM to CF.

Can someone please tell me the exact sequence to follow as I think
I am close to sending the whole lot back, and going back to film.

Click to expand...

May I suggest that since you've had trouble with both CF and
Microdrive from the start, that the camera itself may be at fault?
It could be that the CF socket has a badly soldered connection to
the circuit board. I would suggest swapping cameras. I've never had
a card not initialized error on CF, just SM after I switch from CF,
and turning the camera off and back on clears that. Having the
problem most of the time instead of the reverse is far from normal.

Bob

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

photobob · Apr 30, 2003

Gordon Robb said:
Your right, you have not read every word.

I only formated in the PC in desparation, as my camera would not do
it. I have now successfully formatted in the camera.

I am only switching off between times that I am using the camera -
I think that it is OK to switch the camera off when you are not
using it. When I switch it back on - 'card not initialised'. I can
get it to work again by switching back to SM and back again to CF,
but I assume I should not have to do this.

It is definitely not normal to have the card working, to switch the camera off, then switch on again later and have the "card not initiaized" message.

Bob

Swapping media - I am going mad somebody help me

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