Have SanDisk SD Problems? - Page 3

Cherub · #21 (**permalink**) 06-12-2003, 03:20 PM

Ok everybody, lets stop and take a breath. Yes I can understand that buying an expensive 256MB SD card and having it not work on your PDA is frusterating. I've dealt with similar issues that were just as frusterating.

Just because some poeple report a 64MB card working dosn't mean the same Axim is going to run a 256MB card. Personally I was able to get a 128MB card running on my Axim. That dosn't mean it wouldn't crash while trying to fill the card or even use a larger amount of data.

I have two SanDisk CF cards and other than my 512MB card limited to 488MB I don't have any problems with either of them. They work in my PDA, my camera and my laptop. People have proven that it is a Dell issue not Sandisk. Somebody (sorry I'm not remembering names) said they tested the same SD card in three PDAs where Dell was the only one that had issues. Let's not go around saying that we hate SanDisk or even Dell. It's an issue. Computers have issues like this. That's why everyone has this deep seated hatred for Microsoft, because Winblows 95 and 98 were so bug ridden and horrible. Personally I get alot more data onto a CF card for cheaper than I would an SD, so I'm not to sure why you guys are buying them. Yeah, eventually I will go out and buy a 128SD card, and you can bet it will be a SanDisk. Because I can trust that I will be able to get ahold of customer support better than some no-name company.

As for the person who said they bought a 1Gig card with no problems, that's a CF card, not an SD card which is what people are having problems with.

I think that SanDisk is acknowleging the problem and Dell will have to if they haven't. It will get fixed. Untill then, wake up and realize that the useless piece of plasitc on your desk that you paid good hard earned money for, isn't worth hours of therapy or a shortened life span due to increased stress. A'ight?

blueraja · #22 (**permalink**) 06-12-2003, 08:52 PM

The reason why people are buying the Sd cards over the CF ones is that many people use other peripherals such as 802.11, GPS, modems, cameras, bluetooth, fm radios, etc. While the CF is cheaper...for many that use these devices the CF slot simply isnt an option for memory expansion.

Cherub · #23 (**permalink**) 06-12-2003, 09:45 PM

I realize that. I guess I'm just not into trying to make my PDA do everything. I'm happy with having a PDA, not a swiss army knife.

peterbright · #24 (**permalink**) 06-12-2003, 09:53 PM

Yes, I'm trying to teach my Ax to do brain surgery. It must be a design defect that it doesn't work.

Cherub · #25 (**permalink**) 06-13-2003, 11:02 AM

Mmm, good luck with that.

Really, I mean no offence, I'd just rather use a laptop to surf the net, a camera to take pictures, a radio to listen to the radio, the iPaqs are better for Bluetooth, and a GPS reciever for GPS. Yes, that means carrying more, but last time I checked the items I just listed do come in relatively compact forms, and I may not be the strongest person in the world but I can carry a few extra gadgets that are great at what they do, instead of one that is ok at all of them. That sort of thing is a matter of personal preference. I'm not saying you should be like me.

JTN · #26 (**permalink**) 06-15-2003, 01:03 AM

Can't afford to be like you

Cherub · #27 (**permalink**) 06-15-2003, 12:56 PM

We all have different priorites.

rijp · #28 (**permalink**) 06-16-2003, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SanDisk@May 30 2003, 04:12 PM
I would like to respond to recent issues posted in regard to SanDisk SD cards in Dell Axim PDAs.

First of all, let me introduce myself. I am an employee with SanDisk. You should be aware that I am not involved with our sales department or any other branch of the company which directly benefits from some sort of commission. In other words, I am not trying to convince anyone to buy our products. I will not elaborate further on which department I am in. Most importantly, this post is made on a personal basis. I am in NO WAY offering an official response from the company or representing SanDisk on this matter in any way.

Now, many of you have come across problems using SanDisk brand Secure Digital cards in your Dell Axim. Some have had problems with data on the card being corrupted, deleted or lost in some way. Many of you have mentioned that other brand cards seem to work fine.

SanDisk has recognized an abnormal amount of customers having problems with SD cards in Dell Axims. We are currently researching this to discover the problem, which is most likely related to some sort of compatibility issue. I realize this seems like a standard response, but I am being as forthcoming and honest as possible. A solution does not drop out of the sky over-night. It is a sporadic issue and difficult to track down. Many of our cards work fine with some Axim PDAs. Some do not. They all come from the same product line and we are trying to determine what combination of circumstances cause problems. We are doing our best to please our customers. You are not being left abandoned.

Keep in mind, many of you are blaming SanDisk. Claiming that our products "suck" or lack quality. You should realize, that while it seems that only SanDisk has a problem with your Axim, only the Axim has a problem with our cards. Other PDA units work very well. All of the currently known issues seen with PDA units are resolved by a firmware update by the PDA manufacturer. No one can say that SanDisk or Dell is the problem. We do not know yet. Until the exact cause of the problem is tracked down, please refrain from pointing fingers and making accusations.

The fact is, we have less than a 1% return rate on our products. We also receive many thank you letters and e-mail from our customers all the time where our cards have survived through some pretty harsh situations. Most recently, one customer told us about how they had accidentally put a card through their washing machine and it still worked. Another customer sent in a letter telling us about a fire which had completely destroyed the kitchen, with a SanDisk card sitting on his counter. Firefighters had shoveled debris into a pile in the backyard. Several days later, after pouring rain, the customer found the card, cleaned it off and let it dry. The card still worked and all the data was fine. I have dozens of similar stories. Our cards can even sustain a shock of 2000G and we have a 5 year warranty. That is a pretty good beating. You don't get this with products of poor quality.

One last fact that I should mention. The Secure Digital technology was co-developed by Matsushita (Panasonic), Toshiba and... yes, SanDisk. In light of that fact, we should never have issues with our SD cards because the products you use them in should be following the specifications that we created.

To conclude, the problem is being looked into. Either Dell or we at SanDisk will have a solution as soon as possible. We are doing our best to help resolve our customer's issues. Hopefuly this information is helpful.

Forthcoming eh? Well, mr. non-sales, won't tell what department you are in unofficial Sandisk personality, your post isnt' even totally accurate.

'Keep in mind, many of you are blaming SanDisk. Claiming that our products "suck" or lack quality. You should realize, that while it seems that only SanDisk has a problem with your Axim, only the Axim has a problem with our cards. Other PDA units work very well. All of the currently known issues seen with PDA units are resolved by a firmware update by the PDA manufacturer. No one can say that SanDisk or Dell is the problem. We do not know yet. Until the exact cause of the problem is tracked down, please refrain from pointing fingers and making accusations."

Open Google, do a search on "sd card problem" and not only will you NOT see Dell Axim listed as part of the first 100 web pages, but other devices (that have a problem with most notably SanDisk) you claim that don't have prolems, include cameras, Toshiba Pocket PC, printers.

Now while its good that someone from your company has actually acknowledged the problem (if you indeed do work at sandisk), you still aren't addressing the issue that if your card doesnt' have the problem, and the problems you do see exist most on the Dell Axim, why is it other SD cards have shown to work on the Dell Axim with no problem same technology. And you state that your cards work on other devices not Dell. I think its complete BS. I have seen companies like yours, namely Intel, that doesn't want to admit a problem until someone screams about it. Well like Intell, which I refuse to support, I guess I will have to add your company to that list, other ones include Novell, Lotus, and Toshiba. There is a reason why we have competition in this country, because of*this*lack*of*support.

gofigure · #29 (**permalink**) 06-16-2003, 11:15 PM

This is a reply to the non sales person with San disk. If it's less than one percent is there a problem refunding money and giving some type of satisfaction to the customer? You or Dell it make no difference to me. I just feel out of money and very frustrated. Makes me long for my palm.

happycheesecake · #30 (**permalink**) 06-23-2003, 01:06 PM

Folks,

I've set up a website - http://freespace.virgin.net/jon.crawford/ - if you want to report what SD card you have and whether it works or not please use the feedback in my site and I'll update the SD card list... Then hopefully it'll be a source of info for new users who want to buy a card that works well in their Axim..