Help! Lexar CF 512 card SLOW

[Liz]

I don't notice any difference when using this card in the camera. However, when I'm using it in the computer - editing, downloading, etc. everything is extremely slow. Am I having a problem with PSElements software - or is it the CF 512 card? It's not 80x or whatever - just Lexar 512 - no added attractions - except the Image Rescue software.

If it's the card, what is the best 512 card to get?

Thanks.
Liz

[Peter_AUS]

Liz,

Try reformatting the card. I have found Sandisk Ultra II 1 GB flash cards very good, much better than any of the others I have purchased. And it holds just so many photos on it too. I think it is still $95.99 at B&H as well. The 2G card has come dowin in price as well.

You might also want to defrag your computer as well, that can effect things too.

[Liz]

Thanks for the help and suggestions, Peter. It's always good to see you around. I'll do what you suggest.........

I hope you have a great New Year 2005, especially blessed with good health.

Liz

Liz,

Try reformatting the card. I have found Sandisk Ultra II 1 GB flash cards very good, much better than any of the others I have purchased. And it holds just so many photos on it too. I think it is still $95.99 at B&H as well. The 2G card has come dowin in price as well.

You might also want to defrag your computer as well, that can effect things too.

[Peter_AUS]

Thanks Liz, and may it be the same for you as well. Don't work too hard and exhaust yourself.

Health is fine, but my back is getting worse, but that is life.

Take care over the holidays.

[Lionheart]

I don't notice any difference when using this card in the camera. However, when I'm using it in the computer - editing, downloading, etc. everything is extremely slow. Am I having a problem with PSElements software - or is it the CF 512 card? It's not 80x or whatever - just Lexar 512 - no added attractions - except the Image Rescue software.

If it's the card, what is the best 512 card to get?

Thanks.
Liz

It might be the the connection your using with your card. Do you have a USB1.0 or 1.1 connection to your card reader, or USB 2.0, which is orders of magnitude faster. I have noticed that working to and from a CF card with my computer, even with USB2.0, the going is decidedly sluggish compared to hard drive access, or compared to how quickly the camera can write to the CF card. Keep in mind that reading and writing data to your CF card isn't the only thing your computer does, even when it's the only active application running, whereas the camera has much fewer duties, and writing to CF card is something it is fairly dedicated to doing.
and then again, maybe there is something going on with the CF card. Like Peter, I recommend the 1GB cards. They are definitely coming down in price, although it seems like they went up about 10 to 20 dollars during the Christmas holidays. I recall only paying about $80 for my 1 GB Sandisk Ultra II's about 2 months ago, but I could be wrong. I'll have to dig up the receipts and check.
Hope that helps.
leon

[another view]

USB2 is a night and day difference over 1.1. Unless your computer is pretty new and specifically said that it included it, it probably doesn't have it. I added a card to mine (pretty simple project, under $20) but will have to get a USB2 card reader to work with it. The connection looks the same and you can use older USB devices with it still - just not at any increase in speed.

However, if it's now slower than it once was then something's wrong somewhere. Like Peter said, reformatting the card is a good idea - I do it every time I shoot. Is any other part of your computer running slower than it should or just downloading from a card? Do you have any other cards to see if they have the problem as well? Just trying to eliminate some possibilities...

[madcow67]

I think it's your USB connection. My camera is compatible with USB 2.0, and I have an old USB 1.1 hub, which is what I used to download images from both the camera, and also separately using a card reader. They both took the same amount of time - slow - about 30 minutes to download a gig worth. Obviously I like the card reader better since it saves camera battery life ;-) and they're pretty cheap at Best Buy. Good luck!