Verify T3 Update for SD Card Problem?

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pokey yayaya orange

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Anyone know of a way to verify that the T3 udpate is installed that supposedly fixes the SD card problems encountered early-on with these units?

I bought a T3 just over a year ago and downloaeded the fix from PalmOne right away, and have been using BackupBuddy VFS since shortly after that with no problems.

I've probably had about three situations where I had to do a hard reset and and restore everything from the card, and other than having to go back and add in a couple of specialized settings and icons from Agendus, it looked like everything had been properly restored each time.

Now the problem: I've lost (not literally, but in the "fried" sense of the word) TWO SanDisk 256 MB cards within the past 3 or 4 months, and I'm beginning to wonder if the backups didn't pick up the SD fix that I'd downloaded from Palm a year ago.

Does anyone know how to verify whether the update is still installed? I realize I could've tried reinstalling the update, but wanted to get some thoughts on this first to see if it's this or something else?

Also, I periodically have used the cards to move files between Windows desktop PCs via card readers attached to each, but haven't done anything special other than just a simple copy/paste back and forth from the card for this.

Guess I'm a little frustrated, as the cards were purchased back when 256 MBs was going for $60-$80 rather than the current low prices.

Thanks for whatever help anyone can provide.

John
 
Same thing happened to me, John - with a SanDisk 64MB.

I don't think the problem is your SD Card Palm One update or anything to do with your T3 hardware. Although BBVFS has had problems restoring to a T3 with versions other than the newest one, it shouldn't fry the card so that's out, too. I switched to jkware's CardBackup when BBVFS failed to restore properly around a year ago. I also use TealBackup as a "backup backup."

I think the problem is SanDisk itself. I along with many others have posted on here (do a search) regarding SD Card reliability among brands, and my personal choice is PANASONIC.

I had no problems when SanDisk were smaller sizes - had a 16MB and a 32MB; the prlblem is when you go "larger" like 64 or 256, they just seem to crap out.

I'm sorry for your $$$ loss, but the important thing is get a PANASONIC card and when it's loaded up with "stuff," use a card reader to drag and drop the contents to the desktop and BURN A CD. If this ever happens again at least you've got your data. I do that monthly, then format the card, then drag the stuff back again - and it's better than defragging the SD Card (which I like doing but apparently it isn't really necessary) -- all the files are placed on there in a "linear" fashion with no fragmentation.

Also, the read/write speed of Panasonic is TERRIFIC. I think you're wise to use 2 x 256 instead of an "ultimate behemoth" 512 or 1G card, and the fact that BOTH SanDisks failed would be an indication to me it's THEM, not your hardware or procedures.

If you wre to try and REINSTALL the SD Card fix to "make sure," you'll get a message of "already done" if it's applied itself properly. I have very little doubt that it was installed just fine - the problem is with the SanDisk cards IMHO.
 
PTL is right....get something other than a SanDisk.

But the only sure fire way I know to verfiy that the "patch" you installed last year is still there....reinstall it. You can still download it.

I believe that the patch was not a flash so therefore it would be lost during a Hard Reset but should have been reinstalled upon restoration of a backup. If you've had backup failure - it's possible it could be lost but I'd just reinstall it.

And if it was a flash of the T3, it will recognize and not allow the same flash to occur again, usually.
 
Paul and Moose---thanks very much for your comments.

I actually picked up a Panasonic 64 MB card a couple of months ago to keep in the slot for routine, timed backups (scheduled for 1 AM each night), and it's performed flawlessly.

I have a third SanDisk 256 that I'll likely retire (or at least be much more cautious with as to what I store there), and also have a PNY 256 and a Kingston 256 (couldn't resist the price a couple of months ago when they were virtually giving them away after the rebate for about $10). The PNY's been good so far, and the Kingston is actually in use in a digital camera and has only seen the Palm on one or two occasions.

I've been looking at the Lexar 1 GB cards at Sam's Club that are going for around $71 to use for video storage using the new Kinoma player (which, along with Kinoma Producer, is a HUGE advancement over 2.0), and believe those were actually manufactured by Panasonic per previous postings. Does that ring true?

I'll have to wait until Monday evening to try re-flashing the update until I'm back at my main PC, and will post an update then.

In the meantime, thanks to both of you!

John
 
You can actually tell who the manufacturer of the card is by checking the card info and then tapping on "more".

You'll see the actual manufacturer of the card in the description. Many cards are simply "branded" and are either of Toshiba, Panasonic or Sandisk manufacturer.

Most Lexar's are actually panasonic. Toshiba "brands" a lot of cards for various companies as well as Sandisk and it's not consistent so be aware.
 
Okay, I finally fired up the PC and downloaded the T3 card update, and yep, the ROM was already showing as having been updated when I did it months ago, and didn't allow me to reinstall it.

Guess it's the SanDisk issue after all.

Moose, I remember hearing about checking the card manufacturer before, and appreciate the reminder on how to do it. For reference, the rest of the cards show up as follows:
  • 256 MB PNY card shows as a Toshiba
    64 MB Panasonic (used for routine backups) shows up---as expected---as Panasonic
    256 MB Kingston (listed as Kodak for the Card) shows up as Toshiba
    128 MB Impact (from Walmart) shows up as Panasonic
Hopefully I'll have better luck with these. Truly appreciate the info and suggestions, folks, and will steer clear of SanDisk from now on...

Thanks again, and best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season! :D

John
 
Don't forget that the branding of cards isn't consistent. I've got a PMY that states it's a SanDisk so just be careful out there.
 
Hi,
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Happy holidays to all!
 
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