Memory card corruption a feature on 770? - maemo.org

zima | # 1 | 2007-01-22, 20:44 | Report

The filesystem (and files) on my memory cards get frequently corrupted. I have a Sandisk 1 GB and Kingston 2 GB MMCmobile. I format a card, copy it full of files, insert into 770, use the system for a week or two (without removing the card or creating any new files) and then some garbled files start appearing and I start getting IO errors. Both cards. I swapped the Kingston to a new one, but the same thing happens.

I do use a swap file, so certainly there are writes to the memcard, but I doubt a new card wears out in a week because of it.

And it's not just that the filesystem is corrupted: reading /dev/sda using dd fails with IO errors on some blocks. I seem to be able to "fix" it by writing zeroed blocks over the bad ones (using dd) a couple of times and the IO errors disappear throughout /dev/sda. The card starts failing again as described above eventually.

So, is this a feature of 770 or is my unit special? I use IT2006 (the first), with 2 GB memcard support but not high-speed mmc patched kernels.

Karel Jansens | # 2 | 2007-01-22, 21:02 | Report

Originally Posted by zima View Post

The filesystem (and files) on my memory cards get frequently corrupted. I have a Sandisk 1 GB and Kingston 2 GB MMCmobile. I format a card, copy it full of files, insert into 770, use the system for a week or two (without removing the card or creating any new files) and then some garbled files start appearing and I start getting IO errors. Both cards. I swapped the Kingston to a new one, but the same thing happens.

I do use a swap file, so certainly there are writes to the memcard, but I doubt a new card wears out in a week because of it.

And it's not just that the filesystem is corrupted: reading /dev/sda using dd fails with IO errors on some blocks. I seem to be able to "fix" it by writing zeroed blocks over the bad ones (using dd) a couple of times and the IO errors disappear throughout /dev/sda. The card starts failing again as described above eventually.

So, is this a feature of 770 or is my unit special? I use IT2006 (the first), with 2 GB memcard support but not high-speed mmc patched kernels.

Never had it on my 770 with the same version of ITOS, but I only use 1GB cards on it (black SanDisk ones, with 7 contacts).

Texrat | # 3 | 2007-01-22, 21:45 | Report

I have never experienced any memory card issues at all on my 770, and it's a test device that was highly abused.

The Following User Says Thank You to Texrat For This Useful Post:

Arjun | # 4 | 2007-01-22, 22:00 | Report

Same thing here, I use a Sandisk 1GB RS MMC and so far I have had no complains. Initially when I messed around with it crazily, I had to format it once. I did this easily using WinXp. Other than this it has been working very well with the latest Nokia OS 2006. I use it as I please, trying ( downloading, writing onto the RS MMC and erasing ) out new SW options from Maemo, new themes, pictures, some audio files etc.

Last edited by Arjun; 2007-01-22 at 22:20.

Mara | # 5 | 2007-01-22, 22:07 | Report

No issues here with 1GB RS-MMC on 770 either, based on almost a year usage history.

But, after moving the same card to N800 I did have some corruption already once: This could be because I did remove/insert the card without powering down the N800. I think I read somewhere that N800 should handle "hot swap" of the memory card? (Of course not during data transfer, but when idle). I did not have virtual memory enabled, and it does not even seem possible on the external slot?

soundwave106 | # 6 | 2007-01-22, 22:13 | Report

No memory card issues for me either... hmmm...

Karel Jansens | # 7 | 2007-01-22, 22:19 | Report

Originally Posted by Mara View Post

No issues here with 1GB RS-MMC on 770 either, based on almost a year usage history.

But, after moving the same card to N800 I did have some corruption already once: This could be because I did remove/insert the card without powering down the N800. I think I read somewhere that N800 should handle "hot swap" of the memory card? (Of course not during data transfer, but when idle). I did not have virtual memory enabled, and it does not even seem possible on the external slot?

The N800 (at least my NaB00) hot-swaps memory cards effortlessly (talking about the external slot here, obviously!). I've sofar switched between the funny 128MB card that came with it, a RS-MMC 1GB card that sits in my 770 (didn't format it, just took it out of NokiLLO and stuck it in NaB00) and another 1GB RS-MMC card that has the pictures of my new Kodak Easyshot camera.

I have to add that I've adopted the custom of waiting just a few seconds before opening the card door, both on NokiLLO and NaB00, just to be safe...

woz | # 8 | 2007-01-22, 22:40 | Report

Originally Posted by zima View Post

So, is this a feature of 770 or is my unit special?

Nope, haven't seen that feature on my 770 with 2MB mobile Kingston. Stable even after modifying memory contents via card reader & windows. I always power down before swapping memory. Am using FAT32.

What filesystem are you using? Any reason you are not running the latest 2006 OS?

zima | # 9 | 2007-01-23, 16:22 | Report

Originally Posted by woz View Post

What filesystem are you using? Any reason you are not running the latest 2006 OS?

FAT16 on the 1 GB and FAT32 on the 2 GB card. I haven't upgraded to the latest OS, because the improvements didn't seem worth the hassle of reinstalling apps, i.e. I'm lazy. Maybe I'll try upgrading, but it looks like nobody's had this rotting filesystem problem on their device so it's probably not a software problem.

MacKozer | # 10 | 2007-08-27, 12:55 | Report

2 GB Kingston MMC Mobile Dual Voltage (RS MMC) in my Nokia 770 - Memory Card Corrupted....

Card is visibe when 770 is connected to my laptop. Formated - Fat32 and then Fat 16- and operational while connected to laptop.

No possibility to use it with Nokia 770 - card not installed or corrupted.

OS 2006

any clue?

EDIT:
1 GB Kingston MMC Mobile Dual Voltage (RS MMC) works fine. Still have no clue why 2 GB card doesn't work with my Nokia 770.

Last edited by MacKozer; 2007-08-27 at 18:41.