1 gig CF card seen by FDisk as 512k

[Ryan]

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?

Thanks,

Ryan

 

[KM]

Ryan,

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.

Anyway, read this KB article to get more info: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q255867.

 

[Ryan]

KM,

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,

Ryan

 

[KM]

Ryan,

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.

 

[Juergen Seyffer]

Hello Ryan,

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.

What does your BIOS report ?

Best regards

Juergen

Ryan,

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

 

[Ryan]

My BIOS reports a 1 gig, but fdisk sees it as 512k. It looks like I
have the opposite problem. Not sure what to make of it.
Thanks for the response,

Ryan

 

[Ryan]

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.

Thanks,

Ryan