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What's the deal with CF microdrives?

T

TheLazy1

Experienced Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2009
Messages
370
Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Are they only supposed to work with cameras or something?
The one I bought off ebay won't work in my CF->IDE adapter or any CF reader, I wonder if it's dead or just has a really specific purpose.
 
I like them on systems and have been using them for years. They've all been Seagate ST-1 5GB units--as a matter of fact, the system used as a mailserver, router and firewall here is running on one and has been 24/7 for at least the last couple of years. I've got another identical system with a cloned drive on it ready to plug right in should the active one fail.
 
TheLazy1 said:
Are they only supposed to work with cameras or something?
The one I bought off ebay won't work in my CF->IDE adapter or any CF reader, I wonder if it's dead or just has a really specific purpose.
Click to expand...

Did it get REALLY hot when plugged into your adapter?
I think there may be a pinout issue, but I didn't dig into it when I tried it.
I destroyed a couple of them that way (all Seagate ST1 5gb). The IBM 1gb survived.
 
They are functionaly identical to CF cards in true-IDE mode, but need more power to run them, but under 500mA.
 
I have two Seagate 2 GB and a IBM 512MB, all work perfect but I think there are some low power microdrives that only work with 3v. Maybe they burn when powered with 5v?
 
Model no: ST640211CF

It does say +5v so I don't think it burned up.
I can hear it spin faintly but nothing will see it, or even light the LED on any controller.

Guess I just got a toasted one then eh?
 
TheLazy1 said:
Model no: ST640211CF

It does say +5v so I don't think it burned up.
I can hear it spin faintly but nothing will see it, or even light the LED on any controller.

Guess I just got a toasted one then eh?
Click to expand...

If it spins up and stays spinning, it probably is okay. One thing about the CF microdrives, they don't like to share--so don't try to run one with another drive on the same IDE channel.
 
patscc said:
Do you have an actual cf card to make sure the adapter works ? I've come across a few things that didn't like cf drives.
patscc
Click to expand...

The adapter works fine with a bunch of CF cards, maybe it just doesn't like the adapter?

Chuck(G) said:
If it spins up and stays spinning, it probably is okay. One thing about the CF microdrives, they don't like to share--so don't try to run one with another drive on the same IDE channel.
Click to expand...

I put it on it's own on the primary IDE channel with the adapter set to master, the LED on the adapter doesn't even blink.
:(
 
Also often these drives have a default timeout of 2s for power management and in any case shouldn't spin before actual sector data is requested. If it's not detected but spinning most likely it's broken.
 
I can check but probably not.
The ebay store I bought it from does have a return policy but unfortunately I was so busy that I never got around to testing it and I'm pretty sure the return period is long gone.

Live and learn I guess...
:D
 
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