How to Care for Your Flash Card

CompactFlash, SmartMedia, MMC, and SD cards are incredibly durable. In fact, Crucial flash cards are designed to last up to 100 years under normal conditions. But while your flash cards are strong, they aren't invincible. Corrupted flash cards can sometimes be repaired, but you may not be able to save the files stored on a corrupted card.

Here are some simple steps you can take to protect the pictures, music, and other data on your cards.

Change or recharge your batteries often
One of the most common (and most preventable) causes of damage to flash cards is a low battery in the electronic device you're using. While flash consumes very little power, it does require some energy to operate. If your device requires a battery and your battery dies in the middle of a write cycle (for example, just as you're taking a picture with your digital camera) you'll damage your current file, and you may corrupt the rest of the files on the card as well.

Be aware that the viewfinder screens on digital cameras and video recorders can run down your battery very quickly. If your battery is low, avoid using the display screen as much as possible. And we recommend that you always carry some spare, just in case.

Be patient while your card is working
Your flash card is very fast, but it does need a second or two to complete operations. If you try to use or remove your card while it is working, you may damage the card.For example, if you try to take another picture with your digital camera before the first photo is completely saved, your camera may seem to freeze up. If this happens, your camera is probably not damaged, but you may end up losing all of the photos currently saved on your card.

Another common problem is removing the card while it's in use. You may have heard that you can "hot swap" flash cards (i.e, remove the card without turning off the device). However, you should never remove a card while it is being written to or read from. To be on the safe side, Crucial recommends that you turn your device completely off before removing a card.

Always insert your card properly.
CompactFlash cards are keyed so that they can only be inserted in one direction. You should never try to force a flash card into the slot on your device, because it could physically damage your card. If a card doesn't seem to fit, turn it around and try inserting it in the other direction.

Use your case.
Many types of Crucial flash cards come with a storage case. Use your case whenever possible to help protect your card from physical damage. Crucial flash cards are very durable and are designed to withstand normal wear and tear, but putting your card in it's case gives you an extra measure of protection.

Avoid X-rays, magnetic fields, electric shock, and radiation.
Your flash card's plastic case is designed to protect it from many kinds of electromagnetic damage. However, it can't protect your card from everything.

For example, the small spark caused by touching a doorknob after shuffling your feet across the carpeting probably won't hurt your card. But the big spark caused by your three-year-old sticking a card into the electric socket could do some damage.

Similarly, going through airport security shouldn't damage your card, but we don't recommend rubbing a magnet over the card or taking repeated X-ray pictures of it.

The rule of thumb is to use common sense, and try to protect your card as much as possible.

Avoid excessive heat, cold, and moisture.
If you leave your card in your car on a hot day, if you forget it's in your pocket while you go on the water ride at an amusement park, even if it goes through the washer and dryer, give it a try-it may still work! Flash cards have gone through worse than this and survived. However, we don't recommend any of these activities (and they will void your limited warranty.)

Think you may have damaged your card?
Taking the simple precautions above should help you avoid most of the ways people damage their cards. But what if you've already damaged your card? Read on for tips on recognizing problems, fixing damage, and maybe even recovering your files.