MicrodriveŽ
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is CF+?
- Are CF and CF+ the same or are they different?
- If I format a Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Microdrive using my PC, can I still use the Microdrive with my digital camera?
- Are drivers required when using the Hitachi Microdrive in Windows, 95, Windows 98, or Windows ME?
- Can a Hitachi Microdrive be used with a Macintosh?
- I am having problems getting my Hitachi Microdrive to work in my digital camera or hand-held device. What can I do?
- How do I format my Hitachi Microdrive?
- Are there any limitations as to how many times data can be written to a Hitachi Microdrive?
- Can the Hitachi Microdrive be used to copy data from a PC?
- What do I do if I am unable to remove the Hitachi Microdrive from the CF card slot?
- Can the Hitachi Microdrive be removed from a CF card slot while the power is still on?
- Will the X-ray machine at airport baggage inspection stations damage my Hitachi Microdrive?
- Can I carry the Hitachi Microdrive in my pocket without using the carrying case?
- When I shake the Hitachi Microdrive, it makes a sound. Is this normal?
- Is it possible to get the Hitachi Microdrive repaired if it is damaged or does not work?
- Will static electricity damage the drive?
- Can the PC Card Adapter which is used with 340MB, 512MB and 1GB Hitachi Microdrive also be used with the 2GB, 4GB or 6GB Hitachi Microdrive?
- Can a PC Card adapter, other than a HITACHI made adapter, be used with the Hitachi Microdrive?
- I accidentally formatted my 4GB or higher Hitachi Microdrive in my camera and now it is only being detected as 2GB. How do I get my drive back to the full capacity?
- Why will my Hitachi Microdrive work in my PC, but not in my camera or PDA?
- After using my Hitachi Microdrive to take pictures, I connected the drive to my computer to download the pictures but am being asked to format the drive. How do I get my pictures?
- My Hitachi Microdrive is not detected properly or is not working correctly in my digital camera. Is the drive bad?
- Can I install the Hitachi Microdrive even though my system is not the compatibility list?
What is Compact Flash?
Compact Flash (CF) is a standard for a small form factor device that encompasses CF flash data storage
cards including magnetic disk cards, such as the Hitachi Microdrive.
The CF card provides high capacity storage and I/O functions that electrically comply with the PCMCIA standard.
While only the size of a matchbook, CF cards can be used to store a large amount of data.
 Back to top
Are CF and CF+ the same or are they different?
While the standards are similar, they do have several differences.
First, the CF+ standard supports I/O mode and non-Flash storage (true IDE mode).
Additionally, the CF+ standard calls for power levels up to 500ma for both 3.3vdc and 5.0vdc power sources.
For more information on the Compact Flash specification, please visit the following URL:
http://www.compactflash.org/
Back to top
If I format a Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Microdrive using my PC, can I still use the Microdrive with my digital
camera?
For best results, we recommend that you format the Hitachi Microdrive using the device that you will
be using the most.
Most devices will format the Microdrive using that FAT16 file system.
4GB and higher Microdrives require the FAT32 file system to be able to use the full capacity of the drive.
Some digital cameras are not able to support FAT32.
Check with the device manufacturer for any firmware updates that may be available.
Back to top
Are drivers required when using the Hitachi Microdrive in Windows, 95, Windows 98, or Windows ME?
To use a Microdrive with Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows ME device drivers may be required.
The device drivers and installation instructions can be found at the following URL:
http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/mddwnld.htm
Note: These drivers are ONLY for Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows ME.
Windows 2000 and Windows XP do not require any drivers to use the Microdrive.
Back to top
Can a Hitachi Microdrive be used with a Macintosh?
Yes, a Hitachi Microdrive can be used with a Macintosh.
The Macintosh will require at minimum OS 8.0.
We also recommend checking with Apple to verify compatibility with your specific system.
Back to top
I am having problems getting my Hitachi Microdrive to work in my digital camera or
hand-held device. What can I do?
First, check with your system manufacturer to verify compatibility between the Hitachi Microdrive
and your camera or hand-held device.
If your device has been tested compatible by the device manufacturer, verify that it is operating properly by checking the following items:
- Does your camera or hand-held device support the capacity and file system of the drive?
- Are there any firmware updates for your camera or hand-held device?
- Does the drive work in any other devices/systems?
- Does your camera or hand-held device work with a CF memory card?
- Where you able to format (initialize) the Microdrive?
- Was there a possible cause for error, such as using the Microdrive above or below the operating
temperatures of 5 to 55 degrees Celsius? Has the Microdrive suffered an impact or mishandling?
Has the Microdrive been subjected to high humidity or static electricity?
Back to top
How do I format my Hitachi Microdrive?
The factory format of a 2GB or smaller Hitachi Microdrive is FAT16 while the factory format of
a 4GB or larger Microdrive is FAT32.
If you are formatting the Hitachi Microdrive in Microsoft Windows (the recommended platform), you
can right click on the drive icon and choose Format.
If you are formatting the Microdrive in the Mac Operating System, you can use the Disk Utility program.
For formatting instructions for your camera, handheld system, or PDA, please see the device’s documentation.
Back to top
Are there any limitations as to how many times data can be written to a Hitachi Microdrive?
Because the Hitachi Microdrive is actually a hard disk drive, there are no limitations as to how many
times data can be written to the drive.
Back to top
Can the Hitachi Microdrive be used to copy data from a PC?
If you are using a card reader that is compatible with the Hitachi Microdrive it is possible to
copy data from the PC to the Microdrive.
In case of a notebook PC it is possible by way of the PC Card slot.
In this case, a PC Card adapter which corresponds to CF+ Type II is necessary.
Back to top
What do I do if I am unable to remove the Hitachi Microdrive from the CF card slot?
Please try the following methods to remove the Hitachi Microdrive:
- If one is available for the CF slot, try pushing the eject button. If it does not work at first, try again.
- Try using the operating system to eject the drive. If the operating system thinks a program is currently
using the drive, you may have to reboot first.
- Try lightly pinching the corners of the drive with thumb and finger to dislodge the drive.
Do not use pliers to get the Microdrive out of the CF card slot or pinch the drive in the center as this
may damage the drive.
If you still cannot remove the Microdrive, contact the CF device manufacturer.
Back to top
Can the Hitachi Microdrive be removed from a CF card slot while the power is still on?
It is possible to remove the Hitachi Microdrive while the power is on, but if the drive is performing
a write or save, removing it at this point could result in loss or corruption of data or possibly damage
to the drive.
Please wait until the drive is finished with its current operation before attempting to remove the Microdrive.
Back to top
Will the X-ray machine at airport baggage inspection stations damage my Hitachi Microdrive?
X-Ray machines at the airport will not have a direct effect on a Hitachi Microdrive.
Back to top
Can I carry the Hitachi Microdrive in my pocket without using the carrying case?
We highly recommend using the carrying case when transporting the Hitachi Microdrive.
The case provides protection from impact and static electricity.
Back to top
When I shake the Hitachi Microdrive, it makes a sound. Is this normal?
The sound that is heard when you shake a Hitachi Microdrive comes from the headlock mechanism.
However, shaking a Microdrive can lead to damage and or failure of the device.
Please do not shake it.
Back to top
Is it possible to get the Hitachi Microdrive repaired if it is damaged or does not work?
If the drive is still in warranty and the conditions of the warranty are met, the warranty stipulation
of replacing the drive will be satisfied.
There are currently no companies we are aware of that have the proper machinery to physically repair
a Hitachi Microdrive.
Back to top
Will static electricity damage the drive?
Yes, static electricity can and will cause damage to the Hitachi Microdrive.
Be sure to follow precautions when handling the Microdrive and when the drive is not in use, store it
in the carrying case.
Back to top
Can the PC Card Adapter which is used with the 340MB, 512MB and 1GB Hitachi Microdrive
also be used with the 2GB, 4GB, or 6GB Microdrives?
Yes, because the PC Card adapter conforms to CF+ Type II standards regardless of the capacity.
Back to top
Can a PC Card adapter, other than a HITACHI made adapter, be used with the Hitachi Microdrive?
You can use a PC Card adapter, provided that the PC Card adapter conforms to the CF Type II standard.
Please check with the PC Card adapter manufacturer to verify compatibility.
Back to top
I accidentally formatted my 4GB or higher Hitachi Microdrive in my camera and now it
is only being detected as 2GB. How do I get my drive back to the full capacity?
If for any reason your drive is no longer being seen at the correct capacity, you have two options:
- If you are using a Windows 2000 or Windows XP system, you can contact the Technical Support Center to obtain a utility that will reformat the drive to the correct capacity. The utility must be run from within Windows XP or 2000 and only while the drive is connected via card reader or PC Card adapter.
- 2. Connect your drive (via card reader) to a Windows 98 system and run Fdisk on the drive. You will need to delete the current partition and then recreate a partition using the entire capacity of the drive. After you created the new partition, you can then format the drive and begin using the drive again.
Back to top
Why will my Hitachi Microdrive work in my PC, but not in my camera or PDA?
Most likely, the drive is a white label (True IDE) version of the Hitachi Microdrive instead of
the blue label (CFII+) Microdrive.
The majority of white label Microdrives were intended for use as embedded storage in specific systems
and may or may not function correctly in another environment.
Back to top
After using my Hitachi Microdrive to take pictures, I connected the drive to my computer
to download the pictures but am being asked to format the drive. How do I get my pictures?
Somehow, the information on the drive became corrupt.
This can occur any numbers of ways ranging from software being written incorrectly to a physical problem
with the Hitachi Microdrive.
If the drive is still being detected by the system, you may still be able to recover the data from the drive.
You would need to use a data recovery program designed to recover data from inaccessible devices.
Below is a link to a Google search on data recovery software.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=lang_en&safe=off&q=data+recovery+software
Back to top
My Hitachi Microdrive is not detected properly or is not working correctly in my digital
camera. Is the drive bad?
Before replacing the Hitachi Microdrive, we recommend visiting the camera manufacturer’s website
to obtain the latest firmware for your camera.
Many times, a firmware update is able to resolve compatibility issues or certain conflicts that may
cause the Microdrive to appear defective.
Back to top
Can I install the Hitachi Microdrive even though my system is not the compatibility list?
While we make every effort to test the compatibility of the Hitachi Microdrive with a wide variety of
systems, it is not possible for us to include all makes and models.
This does not mean that the Microdrive will be incompatible with your system.
If your system is not listed, it could just mean we have not been able to test that configuration.
If your system is not listed in the compatibility list, try contacting the device manufacturer to see
if they have performed any compatibility testing with the Microdrive.
Back to top
|
