2gb card problem workaround question

[mr2ts]

I'm sorry if this question has been covered in the other thread allready but after hours of looking I still had no answer.

My Orbit with 2gb card has had the corruption problem a few times now and while we wait for a fix I was wondering if there was a easy'ish way to work around the problem for now.

The Thought i had was:

Partitition the card into 2 1gb partitions
Have the phone use partition 1 only
Backup partition 1 onto partition 2
In the event of corruption format partition 1 and copy partition 2 over to 1

I am wondering if it is possible to do this from the phone rather than from my pc as the last time I had corruption I was 250miles from home with no access to a pc to repair my card.

Thx Mr2T's

[varvocel]

You can format partition on SD with FAT32 or FAT16 using Flash Format http://www.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=851&associateid=17
and then resore your data to it.

[nm8]

Hi

From what I gather from the forum is that HTC said that the data corruption on the sd card happens when it tries to access files and it is switched off while it hasnt finished doing so. HTC recommends to set the Artemis to auto power after 1 minute ( allow it to switch itself off automatically instead of using the power button).

[varvocel]

Yes, but this resolution decrease probablity of data corruption only...
Good luck

[hb328_dtdd]

what causes the problem is the contacts connection.
it is easily sorted by placing the memory card in, make sure the gate is clicked down and does not pop back up, then make sure the sim gate is clicked in properly, then get a spare simcard (do not use cardboard etc.) and place it on top of the sim gate, then carefully put battery on top then back lid.

i have used this method for 2months now and not had a single problem with corruption

[mr2ts]

Thx for the replys

I have looked through the other thread and tryed adding a shim to the card for connection problems and setting the power off to 3 mins as HTC recomend more than 1 min but I was still getting the problem, so I was looking to find a way to get around the problem without been near my PC, at least as a short time fix until the problem is cured.

I suppose what I'm asking is

How do i partition the card into 2? Used wm5Storage and guide from this forum
Can my orbit access both partitions on 1 card? Seems i can
How do i format the partition if it becomes corrupt? Flash Format thx varvocel, not tryed yet
How do i restore from partition 2 to partition 1? Just use file explorer?

Thx all

[irv777]

Hi, you can read this website regarding "how to make partitions on SD cards" http://www.pocketpc-live.com/partition-sd-cards.html ......i havent tried it myself but it may work as your idea seems like a good workaround regarding the sd card corruption......let me know how you go with the partition....

[w0mbat]

I reformatted with the Fat type and sector size shown in the main post 3 weeks ago and haven't had any corruption since :)

I used to have to recover my card a couple of times a week and was always losing access to TomTom maps before I did this.

[varvocel]

I had data corruptions even with partitions (FAT16, FAT32) - like other users. In my opinion there is no reliable resolution for now. Most often I see posts like "I have workaround and my SD OK from 2 weeks" and after some time - "Oh no, I've lost my data again".
Read the "Corrupt 2gb SD Card" threat...
Mr2ts - yes use WM5Storage, then format it (you can do this with PC).
Good luck

[pebsuk]

I have also tried putting things under the sim above the sim, formatting FAT16/FAT32 and all to no avail. Good luck to anyone whose prepared to put up with this what can be a time consuming frustrating problem. Think I'm going to quote sale of goods act and get mine returned after 5 months...

[rickgillyon]

what causes the problem is the contacts connection.
it is easily sorted by placing the memory card in, make sure the gate is clicked down and does not pop back up, then make sure the sim gate is clicked in properly, then get a spare simcard (do not use cardboard etc.) and place it on top of the sim gate, then carefully put battery on top then back lid.
i have used this method for 2months now and not had a single problem with corruption
Many people have also tried this and seen no improvement. I tried it myself, still corrupted, and HTC say that this isn't the problem. My has been fine after formatting FAT32 with an allocation size of 512, but whether this was the cure or not, who knows?

To OP - this problem has been seen with 1GB cards too, so partitioning is not likely to help.

[nm8]

I am only using 512Mb card that came with my Artemis, i tried switching it off using the power button everyday and I havent encountered any sd card corruption... can someone also tried this???

[varvocel]

Some users reported their first data corruptions after long use of Artemis...

[mr2ts]

Thanks for all the replys, I thought I'd do a quick post to let you know what I've done and how its going.

I have managed to partition the card into 2 x 1gb partitions and installed the formating util for when it go's pear shaped and reloaded onto the 1st partition the software I use. I have made a backup onto the 2nd partition of the 1st and am now using my orbit as normal. So far no corruption but I think its just a matter of time so I'll post again when it fails and I have tryed to resore it.
The only problem I'm concerned with is that TomTom will not use the voices in the folder on the 1st partition, only if I place them in a folder on the 2nd which may lead to corruption of that one, if anyone knows a way of hiding the 2nd partition until I need to restore from it I would be most greatfull.

Mr2ts

[irv777]

yes, please keep us posted.....if ever you get the corruption again and you managed to restore it from the 2nd partition, pls show us the step by step of how you first of all partitioned the card etc etc....thanks