Microdrives

milou · 10-06-2005, 19:47

I've been given a 2.2gb microdrive. Loads of space obviously but when it's in camera, it seems to be constantly whirring etc even when the camera is switched off i.e. 5 mins after switching off, I can still hear it whirring (and it's not images still being written). Is this normal for a microdrive? If I take it out and whack it back in again, it stops.

Cheers

Matty · 11-06-2005, 11:10

I saw some microdrvies on offer for £49.99, 2.2gb, i was thinking of getting one, are they any good, worth the money?

CT · 11-06-2005, 11:30

A guy I know has had 2 - 2 gig microdrives fail on him in rapid succession and he swears he's sticking with CF cards from now on. They're susceptible to rough handling, and having moving parts they have to be more likely to fail I would think.

Matt · 11-06-2005, 11:45

I have the 4gig MD. This has been dropped on a few occassions and bounced across the floor, it still works flawlessly.
I no longer use this drive now, it lives in the daughters camera.

I would suggest going with CF, the microdrive uses more battery power, takes longer to write too, and I don't think they are fully compatable with the newer range of digi SLR's.

Matt · 11-06-2005, 12:19

Milou, I think it might be down to the camera, I don't think when you switch the camera off (350D, 20D) it actually shuts down.
I think it goes into a standby mode, this is how Canon have got around the start up time issue.

Have you formated the microdrive yet?
If not pop it into your card reader, goto control panel> administrative tools> computer management> disk management.
Select the microdrive (by right clicking on it) from the listed drives> format.
The suggested format configeration for use in Canon cameras is:

File system: FAT32
Allocation unit size: 32K

This is supposed to make the write times a little faster, its also supposed to stop the camera crashing/ERR when using these cards.

milou · 11-06-2005, 12:58

Cheers Matt - will try it. I've only formated it in ze camera.

The microdrive was, apparently, £60 for a 2.2.

Now formated - it's quicker writing shots but still whirls away. Gets warm too so it'll be a handy hand-warmer in winter snowball

milou · 18-09-2005, 15:03

Sorry to bump an oldie but I had forgotten about this card and hadn't used it since. Just sold it on eBay for 40 quid - gave it a test run in the camera and all seems ok. Think I'll stick with CF cards though.

**stepheno** · 19-09-2005, 07:59

The fact that it is 2.2gb makes me think Magicstore. Made in China - if one looks around reports are that the reliability and compatibility is very questionable. I nearly bought one but am extremely glad I bought Hitachi.

regards

SammyC · 19-09-2005, 08:13

I'm guessing that the price difference between that and CF cards are now small enough to stick with CF cards?

10-06-2005, 19:47	#1 (permalink)
milou Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Southampton Posts: 583	Microdrives I've been given a 2.2gb microdrive. Loads of space obviously but when it's in camera, it seems to be constantly whirring etc even when the camera is switched off i.e. 5 mins after switching off, I can still hear it whirring (and it's not images still being written). Is this normal for a microdrive? If I take it out and whack it back in again, it stops. Cheers

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11-06-2005, 11:10	#2 (permalink)
Matty Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: kings hill Posts: 5,269	I saw some microdrvies on offer for £49.99, 2.2gb, i was thinking of getting one, are they any good, worth the money?

11-06-2005, 11:30	#3 (permalink)
CT Feet under the table Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Mids UK Posts: 3,500	A guy I know has had 2 - 2 gig microdrives fail on him in rapid succession and he swears he's sticking with CF cards from now on. They're susceptible to rough handling, and having moving parts they have to be more likely to fail I would think.

11-06-2005, 11:45	#4 (permalink)
Matt Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cheshire Posts: 1,326	I have the 4gig MD. This has been dropped on a few occassions and bounced across the floor, it still works flawlessly. I no longer use this drive now, it lives in the daughters camera. I would suggest going with CF, the microdrive uses more battery power, takes longer to write too, and I don't think they are fully compatable with the newer range of digi SLR's.

11-06-2005, 12:19	#5 (permalink)
Matt Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cheshire Posts: 1,326	Milou, I think it might be down to the camera, I don't think when you switch the camera off (350D, 20D) it actually shuts down. I think it goes into a standby mode, this is how Canon have got around the start up time issue. Have you formated the microdrive yet? If not pop it into your card reader, goto control panel> administrative tools> computer management> disk management. Select the microdrive (by right clicking on it) from the listed drives> format. The suggested format configeration for use in Canon cameras is: File system: FAT32 Allocation unit size: 32K This is supposed to make the write times a little faster, its also supposed to stop the camera crashing/ERR when using these cards.

11-06-2005, 12:58	#6 (permalink)
milou Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Southampton Posts: 583	Cheers Matt - will try it. I've only formated it in ze camera. The microdrive was, apparently, £60 for a 2.2. Now formated - it's quicker writing shots but still whirls away. Gets warm too so it'll be a handy hand-warmer in winter snowball

18-09-2005, 15:03	#7 (permalink)
milou Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Southampton Posts: 583	Sorry to bump an oldie but I had forgotten about this card and hadn't used it since. Just sold it on eBay for 40 quid - gave it a test run in the camera and all seems ok. Think I'll stick with CF cards though.

19-09-2005, 07:59	#8 (permalink)
stepheno Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,637	The fact that it is 2.2gb makes me think Magicstore. Made in China - if one looks around reports are that the reliability and compatibility is very questionable. I nearly bought one but am extremely glad I bought Hitachi. regards

19-09-2005, 08:13	#9 (permalink)
SammyC Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 1,466	I'm guessing that the price difference between that and CF cards are now small enough to stick with CF cards?