This comes from Len Moscowitz. Also, it requires a PDA running Windows. However, it does explain why some of y'all are having trouble with "time remaining" and corrupted files.
The CF memory card must be formatted to FAT32 and most importantly, with a
backup FAT. If the format does not include a backup FAT, the MicroTrack
24/96 will be able to record to the CF card the first time
the CF card is used, but if power is t hen cycled off and then on, when next
an attempt is made to record, the CF card disk formatting will be corrupted,
sometimes in such a way that that the card may not be
formattable in the MicroTrack 24/96 nor by a Win XP PC. Another method of
formatting the CF card will be required to make the card usable again (e.g.,
using a Windows Mobile PDA running Softwinter's Storage Tools).
One way that might ensure that the bug does not occur is to require that a
brand new CF card be formatted in the MicroTrack 24/96 before using it for
recording. Using the card as formatted from the manufacturer (if a backup
FAT is not provided by the manufacturer) or as formatted by other format
utilities (e.g., Win 98SE's format utility does not provide the backup FAT)
may make the card unusable in the MicroTrack 24/96 and Win XP PCs after
cycling the MicroTrack 24/96's power and attempting to record.
The format's cluster size is relatively non-critical. We tested cluster
sizes from 512 Bytes to 64K Bytes. Cluster sizes above 4 K Butes all worked
fine in MicroTrack 24/96 as long as the backup FAT was present.
Cluster sizes smaller than 4K resulted in sluggish operation -- the smaller
the cluster size, the more sluggish the operation -- and so are not
recommended.
[End]
To recover a corrupted CF card that Win XP can't format, we use Softwinter's
Storage Tools installed on a Dell Axim X50v or an HP iPAQ h2215 PDA. Any
Windows Mobile/Pocket PC PDA that has a CF card slot should work with
Storage Tools to recover and re-format the CF card. There may be other ways
to recover and correctly reformat a corrupted CF card that Win XP can't
re-format, but at the moment we're not aware of any.
Len Moskowitz
Core Sound
www.core-sound.comHome of PDAudio