RatCatcher wrote:Don't know if this was discussed before. But what is a good 40GB CF card that is cheap and is Fixed Disk without Windows or Linux detecting it as removable media? Non fixed are next to impossible to get in Fixed Disk I read somewhere.
Sorry, I don't know of a specific card and I don't know if was discussed, either. Which OS do you want to run on them ?
The removable media bit (rmb) is only used by flavors of Windows NT and some kind of Linux, I think.
Other OSes like DOS, OS/2 or Windows 9x shouldn't care about it.
Yes, I think there was an utility made by Sandisk to change the media bit, but I don't know if it still works with recent CF cards.
I heard you have now to tell the manufacturer whether you want them fixed or not when you make an order.
But I think thats only for major customers who order them in higher quantities.
Maybe some of those industrial types are set to fixed.
They're meant for embedded stuff, can handle a higher temperature range and often contain SLC memory instead of MLC.
At least that's how it used to be. Maybe that's different now.
If you can't get one, try a DOM (Disc-on-Memory module) instead. DOMs are always set to fixed-disk, if I'm not mistaken.
If they're too small in storage, you can try to get hold on a PATA SSD, they should be available in that size.
They're meant as HDD replacements, so they're likely set to fixed. KingSpec offered some of them in 16/32GB size, I think..
Another idea would be an special SD card adapter which emulates a fixed fixed-disk (SD cards don't have IDE support built-in).
Oh, and another important thing: DMA or UDMA support. Make sure the card supports it and the adapter has all necessary data lines. And beware of short circuits on the adapter.
tikoellner wrote:I am not an expert here, but it seems that there is a false assumption here that it's anyhow related to CF card itself, while it […]
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I am not an expert here, but it seems that there is a false assumption here that it's anyhow related to CF card itself, while it's rather a matter of interface that is used to connect it to the rest of the system.
If you use typical USB CF card reader, or even the reader integrated on some expansion card, it will always be recognised as removable media.
The only way to get it recognised as fixed disk is connecting CF card via some SATA to CF / SATA to IDE adapter.
I might be wrong, though.
You're right. Both is true. It really depends how you look at it. A CF card has three modes, memory mode, I/O mode and True IDE Mode.
If you're using it in IDE mode on a mechanical adapter, the media bit is relevant.
USB adapters are often using the other modes, so its up to them whether the card appears as fixed or non-fixed.
CompactFlash Card Pinout
Howto Flip Removable Media Bit (RMB)
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