microSD v microSDHC

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alienstew

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#21479 28-Apr-2008 12:47

I've got a Nokia 6500 Slide which takes a microSD card. Not easy to find a 4GB microSD but am getting offered microSDHC, some suppliers say this is interchangable others say not - does anyone know for sure - can a microSDHC card replace a microSD card?

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#126771 28-Apr-2008 13:03

Memory expandable to 4gb mSDHC according to http://europe.nokia.com/A4423145 and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia_6500_slide
A lot of mSD compatible devices aren't compatible with mSDHC cards. SDHC is a relatively new technology so only newer devices play nicely with it. some devices that don't specifically say they work with them WILL work, but it's an expensive gamble and better to go with a brand name like sandisk

NZtechfreak

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#126787 28-Apr-2008 13:51

SD and SDHC are not synonymous. Very few handsets are compatible with the high capacity SDHC cards.

I've put an 8GB MicroSDHC card in a 6500 Slide and it was only able to recognise the first 4GB of that storage, so I would think that you'll be fine with the 4GB MicroSDHC card.

EDIT: Forgot to mention - as already mentioned - stick with Sandisk.

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alienstew

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#126790 28-Apr-2008 13:58

Yes, thanks, I see the Nokia website says "4GB microSD" (not microSDHC) and the handbook doesnt mention a card size limit, just offers a Nokia 2GB microSD as an accessory. Sandisk say microSD to max 2GB then becomes microSDHC for greater capacity (they should know).

Problem is suppliers don't seem to know what they are offering (SD or SDHC) as some offer 4GB as microSD, do some manufacturers make this? I'll take your advice and stick to Sandisk (4GB SDHC). Just hope it works.

And a related matter, I managed to twist the retaining clip that holds the card in place when I put in the supplied 256MB card. Anyone know where I can get a replacement retaining clip from? (still works, sort of, but I'd like it to be a bit more secure). Local phone repairer (Wellington) can't help.

gehenna

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#126806 28-Apr-2008 14:24

when you say "suppliers" where are you looking for this info? I generally check www.ascent.co.nz first when looking for this kind of thing, or www.flashcards.co.nz (click on Online Store once the page loads), and then do comparisons on www.pricespy.co.nz

Loismustdye

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#126830 28-Apr-2008 15:59

The flashcards website does have a page on it somewhere that lists a range of devices that are compatable with th SDHC cards if that helps

NZtechfreak

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#126831 28-Apr-2008 16:03

Pricespy is indeed your friend.

Sandisk also have a compatibility page for their SDHC cards.

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alienstew

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#126834 28-Apr-2008 16:08

Flashcards say -

**Please be aware that MicroSD Cards (formerly called Transflash) and MicroSDHC Cards are DIFFERENT cards, even though they look the same and can fit in the same card slot. If your device supports MicroSD Cards it may not support MicroSDHC Cards as they use a different filesystem format. We do not accept returns of MicroSDHC Cards if you have purchased them by mistake for use in a device that does not support them. Please ensure your device supports MicroSDHC Cards before ordering.

They do have a compatibility table but the Nokia 6500 Slide isn't on it, I've emailed them will let you know what response I get.

richms

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#126868 28-Apr-2008 19:00

Its very annoying that there are still things coming out that dont support sdhc and their small equivalents.

The 4 gig SD was never part of the standard, it was some hackjob that ended up being partially compatible with the changes made for sdhc, so if it will take a non compliant 4 gig sd it looks good for a sdhc, but as usual, your milage may vary and buyer beware.

To furthur annoy, when they made a replacement for SD, and changed addressing, they made the limit 32 gigs... Brilliant. Now we have $100 cards that are at half the maximum capacity, so this time next year a 32 gig will be $50 and thats the new limit till they make SD-moreHD or something.

Richard rich.ms

alienstew

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#127056 29-Apr-2008 14:28

Some progress - Flashcards have responded

All 4GB Cards are SDHC so yes, this card should work fine for you.

If not, we will allow you to return it for a refund.

So good on them.

Also Sandisk site recommend 8GB for the 6500 (just to confuse things)

And Nokia advise -

Your Nokia 6500 Slide is compatible with the following memory cards:

MU-37 Nokia 2GB Micro SD card

MU-41 Nokia 4GB MicroSDHC Card

Kindly note that Nokia has not tested this 8GB MicroSD card with the Nokia 6500 Slide. Therefore, we are not able to determine if the 8GB MicroSD card would work with your phone.

So bottom line seems to be 4GB SDHC is OK

Thanks to all

Still looking for the clip to hold the card in place though if anyone can help.

NZtechfreak

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#127084 29-Apr-2008 15:48

Thats interesting about Sandisk and the 8GB in the 6500 Slide... When I tried it it definitely didn't work, but then the 6500 was very slightly pre-retail when I saw it, and the product manager did suggest that firmware upgrade should make it compatible with the 8GB cards. I guess they got that into the firmware before commercial release.

EDIT: Regarding the replacement part - try over at N95users - there is a guy there who sells (confirmed) genuine replacement Nokia parts. He may be able to help or point you in the right direction.

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alienstew

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#127088 29-Apr-2008 16:01

Yes interesting, but who to believe before parting with all that money?

Sandisk say -

Product Compatibility

Nokia 6500s

(Mobile Phones)

Maximum capacity for this device: May support up to 8GB
Please check with your device manufacturer for details.

SanDisk recommends

SanDisk microSDHC™ 8 GB

SDSDQR-8192-A11M

Price: $139.99

This at http://www.sandisk.com/Compatibility/Device(8648)-Nokia-6500s.aspx

Compare that with Nokia uncertainty and even Sandisk caution above and although I'd really like 8GB will probably play safe at 4GB. Would be nice to be able to try this out though.

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NZtechfreak

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#127103 29-Apr-2008 16:42

Personally I'd believe Sandisk - Nokia only guarantees performace with up to 4GB cards as they only produce cards to that size. They used to say 2GB when that was their limit, and then when they started to produce 4GB cards suddenly they confirmed compatibility. Must be someone who can let you try theirs in your phone? I would have, but mine was stolen with my phone....

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alienstew

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#131749 19-May-2008 12:32

Here's an update...it might save someone a few dollars

I bit the bullet and bought the 8GB Sandisk recommended card ($100) and have just installed it. Sad to say the 6500s only sees it as 4GB (3.6GB to be exact), so $50 down the drain.

My firmware is 4.84 and there is now an update to 6.6 available, maybe this will enable recognition of the full 8GB? Can't update yet though as I use Vista

and Nokia Updater doesn't yet support that.

NZtechfreak

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#135497 4-Jun-2008 17:32

Ah, so thats the same as when I tried it at Nokiaworld last December - it could well be alleviated by a firmware upgrade though (the product manager said at the time that it should be a firmware issue). Know anyone with an XP machine who can help you out with the upgrade?

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thefunkysoulone

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#140310 24-Jun-2008 21:08

the way the different cards (SD and SDHC) aren't interchangable is that data is addressed differently on each card (unless the device specifically supports them. Manufacturers are very slow to say that devices support certain capacities as there are such a lot of different brands and qualities etc. I have a few cards that will work on some deveices and not others for example.

However, it is only a software issue and not a hardware one, which can be solved through firmware updates etc. (if the manufacturer sees fit to update.)

I have successfully applied patches to a HTC Himalaya and an IPAQ rx4540. These devices do not have stock support for SDHC.

Check around google for "SDHC patch" although i havent checked if there is a solution for Nokia devices.

I have heard a lot of inconsistencies between devices and successful patching.

cheers

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