4GB CF card only works as 2GB

fr

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
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I bought a 4GB Kingston CF card. My camera only supports up to 2GB cards so it gave me a card error. I formatted the card to 2GB in the camera and it works fine, but now I can't access the extra space. I can't delete the 2GB partition, nor can I create a new partition with the unallocated space. I've tried putting the card in a USB CF reader and a PCMCIA adapter and I get the same options. Is my only choice to RMA?

Can't Delete Current Partition
Can't Create New Partition
 

Mark R

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Removable disks (including flash memory) can only have 1 partition.

Either the single partition takes up the whole disk, or you lose the remainder of the space.
 

Roguestar

Diamond Member
Aug 29, 2006
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Yup. As you said, your camera only supports up to 2Gb cards, so basically the rest is wasted if you want it to work in your camera.
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
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And, if you know that or knew that, why did you buy a 4 GB CF card? Just curious.
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
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Few cameras that use CF will take media larger than 2 GB. Just so happens my Canon EOS 5D does. However, I don't see much value in larger than 2GB. Even in RAW format, I can take hundreds of pics. I always like to off load them ASAP.

For me, speed is more important than capacity. I prefer the SanDisk Extreme III 2 GB media.
 

fr

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
6,408
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I didn't know about the limitation until I put it in my camera :(

Now it seems like I can't partition/format it to a 4GB card again in Windows. I'll have to try Partition Magic when I get a chance.