CompactFlash cards are among the most versatile of all memory cards, owing to their speed and compatibility with a wide variety of digital cameras and other digital devices. Although it is unlikely that a CompactFlash card should ever give you a problem, problems that do arise can be difficult to troubleshoot. Remembering a few simple tips will make troubleshooting a CompactFlash card a simpler process.
Speed Issues
There is a significant price difference between standard CompactFlash cards and those designed for maximum speed. Bear in mind that if you did not purchase a card specifically marked as "Extreme" or "High Performance," file transfer operations may be slow.
If you have a high performance CompactFlash card and its performance is not up to par, examine your card reader. For faster file transfers, use a USB 2.0 card reader only. If you have a USB 2.0 reader, look for reviews of that reader online. You may find that others are disappointed in its performance as well.
If the card reader is determined not to be the cause of the problem, use benchmarking software such as H2Bench to obtain definite measurements of the card's performance. If you find that the card transfers files significantly more slowly than advertised, contact the card's manufacturer. You may have inadvertently purchased a counterfeit--a slow card with a pasted-on sticker from a high performance card.
Unreliable Operation or File Corruption
File corruption is generally caused not by CompactFlash cards themselves, but by a problem with the device they are connected to, such as a sudden loss of power. Do not continue to take pictures if your camera's batteries are about to die, and always use your computer's "Safe Removal" option (Mac or PC) before removing a CompactFlash card from a card reader. Sudden disconnection or loss of power can cause file corruption and lost data.
Some portable devices such as Pocket PCs have been known to suddenly "lose track" of a CompactFlash card that is inserted, rediscovering the card again after the device has been reset. The Dell Axim is one device that is known to have this problem. If your device exhibits this issue, look for a firmware update from the manufacturer. This should resolve the issue.
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