Specifications

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too low or out of power entirely. Reformatting will return the flash card to use, but reformatting also erases
all the information that was on the card.
Digital devices such as digital cameras or flash card readers can reformat the cards in a process that is
nearly identical to that for floppy disks. Scandisk can also be used to verify the card’s integrity in the same
way to be sure the problem was in a corrupt file rather than a damaged card.
It is easy to add flash card capability to computers using the computer’s USB ports. Readers for
Compact Flash Type I and II cards, Smart Media, Secure Digital, Memory Stick, and
xD cards are increasingly common. Many new “multi-media” computers include slots built into the
face of the computer so that any of the flash cards can be easily inserted into or removed from the
computer to transfer files easily and conveniently. These multi-flash readers can also be added to
older computers by fitting them to unused 3.5” or 5.25” drive bays.
Compact Flash/Smart Media USB Readers
The end of a flash reader cord attaches to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector on computers
while the computer is turned off. When the computer boots up, the “plug and play” software will
recognize the reader and configure it as another drive on the system with an assigned letter, for
example, as “drive E” or “drive G.” Combination readers and multi-flash readers treat each slot as
an available drive with its own drive letter. Moving files from the computer to the card or from the
card to the reader is simply a matter of dragging and dropping files, just as simple as on a floppy
disk drive, only faster and with greater security and capacity. Multi-flash readers also allow a user
to easily transfer data to or from a Compact Flash card in the upper slot to any other type of card in
the lower slot. There is often driver software included with the readers for users of the Windows
98SE operating system that requires USB drivers because USB was introduced after Win 98SE
was in the market. Windows NT does not allow the use of USB, but the other Windows operating
systems include USB support and do not require additional drivers.
Using USB connectors allows file transfer speeds up to 10 times faster than parallel port card
readers.
CARE AND HANDLING
Flash cards are sturdy, rugged, and durable—but they are not indestructible. Certain care must be
taken to protect them and the data they store. With proper care, they should be capable of over 1
million data write/read/erase cycles and preserve written data for 100 years.
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• Never force a flash card into an electronic device. It will go in only one way and should
slide into the respective slot easily.
The electrical socket
connectors are capable of at least 10,000 insertions, but only if used properly.
• Keep flash cards away from extreme ranges of temperature and humidity; keep them
out of direct sunlight.
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Many flash devices use a function known as wear leveling to distribute data across different blocks each
time the device is written to so that the same blocks are not used over and over. This means that the written
information is distributed over the entire device, extending its lifetime to the maximum amount.