Powerbook 520 Compact Flash Problem

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Powerbook 520 Compact Flash Problem

I have just bought a PCMCIA CF adapter and a 2gb Sandisk CF card.
Inserting the adapter into the PCMCIA module works ok, however when I insert the CF card into the adapter the adapter and card are ejected after a couple of seconds.
I have tried the card in the card reader on my XP machine and it is all ok.
Any Ideas as to why my powerbook throws its toys (CF Card) out of its pram? 🙂

Powerbook 520, Mac OS 8.6 or Earlier

Posted on Mar 11, 2008 3:24 AM

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Answer 1

WillEyedOney Author

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Mar 28, 2008 8:07 AM in response to WillEyedOney

Right, tried it with a 256mb card and it works. I guess that 2gb is just too big for the old girl to handle.
One further question, what do I use to format the card? Anubis etc won't touch it.

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Answer 2

jpl

Level 7

28,285 points

Mar 29, 2008 10:27 AM in response to WillEyedOney

Will,

Jan Hedland is the resident expert on these older machines, so he should be around soon. My suggestion for formatting is to do it on a modern machine if possible. If you are running OS 8.6 on the PB 520, you can format it as MacOS Extended (HFS+); if running OS 8.0 or earlier, you must use MacOS Standard (HFS). Mac OS 8.1 through 9.2.2 can use either format.

As I recall, I formatted a PC card hard drive on my Wallstreet using Drive Setup in the Utilities folder. Drive Setup cannot see HDs connected to a USB or Firewire PC card, but apparently could handle the PC card HD.

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Answer 3

WillEyedOney Author

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Mar 29, 2008 1:12 PM in response to jpl

Thanks for the reply.
I am running 7.5.5 so unfortunately there are no options for formatting disks etc. :/

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Answer 4

Limnos

Level 10

428,123 points

Mar 29, 2008 3:34 PM in response to WillEyedOney

OS7, it's been a while. I have vague memories of some limit to drive sizes. To OS7 2GB must appear gargantuan and over the limit. Also, I don't think OS7 can use HFS+

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Answer 5

WillEyedOney Author

Level 1

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Mar 29, 2008 3:57 PM in response to Limnos

I turned off PC Exchange and tried the card.
OS offered to initialise it and I said ok. Seemed to take an age with the little
watch icon so I forced a restart. CF card now shows up on the desktop.
So far it doesn't let me choose it as a Startup Disk though. 😟

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