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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: jumpship on February 03, 2003, 06:27:34 PM

Title: Prep Card error
Post by: jumpship on February 03, 2003, 06:27:34 PM

I am trying to setup a Flash PCMCIA card using the Prepcard utilitiy. The problem I am having is that the program insists that the card is write protected, not matter which side I put the write protect switch on.

Is this because the Amiga cant use flash cards, or a problem with the PCMCIA port, or just that I need a better utility to setup the disk?

Title: Re: Prep Card error
Post by: KennyR on February 03, 2003, 09:03:00 PM

The Amiga can use flash cards, but only old 16bit ones.

Title: Re: Prep Card error
Post by: Castellen on February 04, 2003, 06:55:59 AM

I've had that too, only some cards are compatible, and mainly the older ones at
that.
There's no easy way to know if a card will work for sure unless you give one a
try or talk to someone who knows fore sure which make/model.

Title: Re: Prep Card error
Post by: on February 04, 2003, 12:53:57 PM

Dumb question - did you look for a slide switch along one of the narrow edges of the card. This sets the write-protect.

Title: Re: Prep Card error
Post by: jumpship on February 04, 2003, 01:02:22 PM

@supertech2698

Quote

not matter which side I put the write protect switch on.

Yep! ;-)

Title: Re: Prep Card error
Post by: on February 04, 2003, 03:45:59 PM

Yep, I was right. A dumb question! I think I'm awake now. At work, I have a spectrum analyzer that can use a card that is PCMCIA Release 2.0 Type I. It has 2Mb of memory. It's possible that the backup battery inside has discharged completely or failed altogether, but not likely. Many times I find that my spectrum analyzer saids that the battery voltage is low, but I haven't lost any data. With that said, I wondered if the switch itself is bad. That would be rare, could have happened.

I, myself, have never used the PCMCIA port on my Amiga 1200, so I don't have any direct experience nor can I draw an exact comparison between it and the spectrum analyzer I use at work. What I should do is take my card home tonite and try it on my Amiga. I'll keep you updated!

 :-D

Title: Re: Prep Card error
Post by: on February 05, 2003, 03:17:31 AM

Hi, I'm back. I tried out my card and had no problems formatting as extra RAM or as a disk. I doublechecked the write protect switch by formatting the card as a disk, then setting the write protect to ON and trying to write to it. It failed as it should.

I doubt if the problem is with Prepcard utility or the interface. You'll probably need another card to doublecheck the interface. However, I feel that the switch on your card is probably bad. :-(

Title: Re: Prep Card error
Post by: blobrana on February 05, 2003, 03:26:11 AM

It could be the battery...

Have you looke inside to see if any pins are bent?
A nightmare!

Title: Re: Prep Card error
Post by: on February 05, 2003, 12:56:18 PM

Yeah, it could be. The card I use will recharge it's battery if it's plugged into the interface for awhile (of course, it helps if the computer is turned on!). Boy, I hope it isn't bent pins. It would be easier to straighten out the bristles in a hair brush! :boohoo: