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FAQ for Flash Memory Cards

Issue:
DFC-011805-1		 Will my camera support the CF/4GB-S Flash media?

Resolution: Kingston is shipping 4GB CompactFlash cards providing a new level of convenience for professional and advanced amateur photographers. These high-capacity, high-speed CompactFlash cards are ideal for today’s high-megapixel, fast-shooting digital cameras.
Q: Is the 4GB CF card compatible with all cameras?
A: No. Flash storage cards in sizes of 4GB or larger require that camera or device (e.g. MP3 player) manufacturers build-in special controllers to support the new capacities. Flash cards larger than 2GB require support for the FAT32 file system. More and more cameras and other devices will continue to be introduced with FAT32 support, allowing for the use of Kingston’s high-performance 4GB and larger Flash cards.


Q: What is FAT32?
A: The FAT32 file system is the successor to the FAT (File Allocation Table) file system, which has been used on PCs for many years. The FAT file system can only address up to 2GB; FAT32 can go beyond 2GB.


Q: What are Kingston’s Flash cards formatted as?
A: All Flash cards up to 2GB are factory formatted into the FAT format. That ensures that they are fully compatible with digital cameras and other devices. Flash cards above 2GB, such as the CF/4GB-S, are formatted as FAT32 to support the larger capacity.


Q: Where will 4GB or larger CF cards work?
A: Kingston’s 4GB CompactFlash cards will only work in newer cameras and other devices that are capable of utilizing a FAT32 file system. This camera limitation cannot be changed.


Q: How can I find out if my camera supports 4GB CF cards?
A: Generally, digital camera manuals will indicate whether 4-GB or larger Flash cards are supported. You can also check kingston.com/config/4gb for a list of cameras that support 4GB or larger CF cards.


Q: I inserted my 4GB CF card into my camera, and when I check it, it only shows as 2GB. Why?
A: This means that your camera does not properly support FAT32. In this case, do not reformat the CompactFlash card as this is not a media issue – it is a limitation of the digital camera’s internal controller, which will only support up to 2GB CompactFlash cards, such as Kingston’s CF/2GB-S.


Q: So cameras which only support FAT will show half the capacity of a 4GB or larger CF card?
A: Yes.


Q: I reformatted the 4GB CF card in my camera and it still shows as 2GB. Is this right?
A: Since the camera did not support FAT32, reformatting the card just used the FAT file system. The camera will still only be able to address 2GB.


Q: After I reformatted my CF/4GB-S, my computer now shows about 2GB of capacity. What happened?
A: If you reformat a FAT32-based 4BG or larger Flash card on a device that only supports FAT, the Flash card will be set up with a FAT file structure. The FAT-formatted cards will only show 2GB of storage because that is the maximum allowed in the FAT file system. In order to resolve, reformat the Flash card with the FAT32 file system selected in the format window.

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