I am trying to configure a Sandisk CF 1 gig card, and when I use FDisk it is only seen as a 512k card. I know this would be the size of a FAT 16 file system but i am using a DOS version that supports FAT32. When starting the Fdisk program is asks whether I want to use a large format or not and I select to use it. I have run the sandisk utility and everything went fine. Any ideas?
Are you are it is seen as 512K? Not 512Mb or 1Gb? If you only see the 512Mb, you may want to upgrade your BIOS (I assuming you turned on LBA option?). Or don't use fdisk but a 3rd party software.
AFAIK, FAT16 has 2G partition limit (not 512M). However, if you fdisk on the driver with the size > 512M you will be prompted to chose FAT16 or FAT32.
> I am trying to configure a Sandisk CF 1 gig card, and when I use FDisk > it is only seen as a 512k card. I know this would be the size of a FAT > 16 file system but i am using a DOS version that supports FAT32. When > starting the Fdisk program is asks whether I want to use a large format > or not and I select to use it. I have run the sandisk utility and > everything went fine. Any ideas?
I am prompted by Fdisk to use a large disk support and I select yes which should allow for FAT32 files system. Then Fdisk only sees the CF card as 512mb. I then go through the typical procedures to partition and format using the maximum available 512mb size. When I view the CF card in Windows 2000 disk manager it sees the file system type as FAT16. I have looked at the bios and enable the 32 bit I/O and LBA is on. What third party software do you suggest? Partition Magic? And with partition magic how do I use bootprep? Do I go back to DOS? Thanks,
Partition Magic has a DOS version also. But I prefer Paragon Partition Manager (also has a DOS version). You have to run bootprep from DOS.
Actually, Fdisk should work for you unless some problems with your BIOS. Can you partition the card on another machine? This will not solve your bootprep problems as you need to do the fdisk'ing on the target machine anyway but, at least, will show you if the card is ok.
> I am prompted by Fdisk to use a large disk support and I select yes > which should allow for FAT32 files system. Then Fdisk only sees the CF > card as 512mb. I then go through the typical procedures to partition > and format using the maximum available 512mb size. When I view the CF > card in Windows 2000 disk manager it sees the file system type as > FAT16. I have looked at the bios and enable the 32 bit I/O and LBA is > on. What third party software do you suggest? Partition Magic? And > with partition magic how do I use bootprep? Do I go back to DOS? > Thanks,
I had similar problems with a Simpletech 1GB compact flash card. The Bios is reporting a 528MB disk, but capacity is 1GB and detected right with fdisk. Problem is that Ghost is not working with that card, and you hardly will get a valid MBR to that card.
The reason is, that there different controllers included in CF-cards. As far as I know, Hitachi is working best. Some vendors offer CF-cards with different controllers, so you may check exact partnumber. I did not had any problems with SanDisk cards in the past, hopefully they do not change controller vendor.
> > I am prompted by Fdisk to use a large disk support and I select yes > > which should allow for FAT32 files system. Then Fdisk only sees the CF > > card as 512mb. I then go through the typical procedures to partition > > and format using the maximum available 512mb size. When I view the CF > > card in Windows 2000 disk manager it sees the file system type as > > FAT16. I have looked at the bios and enable the 32 bit I/O and LBA is > > on. What third party software do you suggest? Partition Magic? And > > with partition magic how do I use bootprep? Do I go back to DOS? > > Thanks,
How often do the cards fail? This is a brand new card and I have probably formated and copied new images about 15 times. I can get an image to load onto it but the system will crash soon after. I have another one I'll try.
