What can harm flash memory?

We all no xrays in airports and security checkpoints can ruin photographic
film.

But what can damage flash memory cards? I mean, not the obvious leaving in
direct florida sunlight for two days, etc. I mean common situations...like
even the same xray machines?

Scanners of non xray type?

I have SD cards for my PocketPC, I don't care about those. But my
Compactflash cards for my cameras, I do care about.

Possibly static electricity? Especially if you leave them in your
pockets unprotected...

Possibly static electricity? Especially if you leave them in your
pockets unprotected...

Fred B. wrote:

But what can damage flash memory cards? I mean, not the obvious leaving in
direct florida sunlight for two days, etc. I mean common situations...like
even the same xray machines?

Scanners of non xray type?

Semiconductors are affected by xrays (or higher energy rays like
gamma rays etc). The affect is cumulative in nature, and applies
to all the semiconductors in your electronics, not just the memory
chips in your memory cards. [Worry about the CPU and chips in your
camera and lenses more than your replaceable memory cards].
Scanners typically have x-rays of low enough energy that they make
negligible effect, but you wouldn't want to leave them in there
for weeks at a time. A recent article on x-ray exposure to ICs
recommended a zinc foil filter, which helps cut absorption in
silicon/oxides while still allowing detection of copper, lead etc.

--
Ken Tough

Fred B. wrote:

But what can damage flash memory cards? I mean, not the obvious leaving in
direct florida sunlight for two days, etc. I mean common situations...like
even the same xray machines?

Scanners of non xray type?

Semiconductors are affected by xrays (or higher energy rays like
gamma rays etc). The affect is cumulative in nature, and applies
to all the semiconductors in your electronics, not just the memory
chips in your memory cards. [Worry about the CPU and chips in your
camera and lenses more than your replaceable memory cards].
Scanners typically have x-rays of low enough energy that they make
negligible effect, but you wouldn't want to leave them in there
for weeks at a time. A recent article on x-ray exposure to ICs
recommended a zinc foil filter, which helps cut absorption in
silicon/oxides while still allowing detection of copper, lead etc.

--
Ken Tough

"Fred B." wrote in
:

We all no xrays in airports and security checkpoints can ruin
photographic film.

But what can damage flash memory cards? I mean, not the obvious
leaving in direct florida sunlight for two days, etc. I mean common
situations...like even the same xray machines?

Scanners of non xray type?

I have SD cards for my PocketPC, I don't care about those. But my
Compactflash cards for my cameras, I do care about.

Apparently nailing a CF card to a tree can damage it.


--
Mark Heyes (New Zealand)
See my pics at www.gigatech.co.nz
"There are 10 types of people, those that
understand binary and those that don't"

"Fred B." wrote in message ...
We all no xrays in airports and security checkpoints can ruin photographic
film.

But what can damage flash memory cards? I mean, not the obvious leaving in
direct florida sunlight for two days, etc. I mean common situations...like
even the same xray machines?

Scanners of non xray type?

I have SD cards for my PocketPC, I don't care about those. But my
Compactflash cards for my cameras, I do care about.

I accidently installed the batteries the wrong way in my Oly 3000Z. It
zapped the memory card. I was surprised- I assumed there would be
reverse voltage protection built into the camera. Learned the hard
way that this is not so.

"Fred B." wrote in message ...
We all no xrays in airports and security checkpoints can ruin photographic
film.

But what can damage flash memory cards? I mean, not the obvious leaving in
direct florida sunlight for two days, etc. I mean common situations...like
even the same xray machines?

Scanners of non xray type?

I have SD cards for my PocketPC, I don't care about those. But my
Compactflash cards for my cameras, I do care about.

I accidently installed the batteries the wrong way in my Oly 3000Z. It
zapped the memory card. I was surprised- I assumed there would be
reverse voltage protection built into the camera. Learned the hard
way that this is not so.

On Thu, 04 Nov 2004 09:08:00 GMT, MarkH wrote:

"Fred B." wrote in
:

We all no xrays in airports and security checkpoints can ruin
photographic film.

But what can damage flash memory cards? I mean, not the obvious
leaving in direct florida sunlight for two days, etc. I mean common
situations...like even the same xray machines?

Scanners of non xray type?

I have SD cards for my PocketPC, I don't care about those. But my
Compactflash cards for my cameras, I do care about.

Apparently nailing a CF card to a tree can damage it.

And always make sure you change your cards in subdued light - never
in direct sunshine.

MJ

On Thu, 4 Nov 2004 10:10:36 +0200, Ken Tough
wrote:

A recent article on x-ray exposure to ICs
recommended a zinc foil filter, which helps cut absorption in
silicon/oxides while still allowing detection of copper, lead etc.

Source? I'd be interested in reading this.


__________________________________________________ ___
He whom God has touched will always be a being apart;
he is, whatever he may do, a stranger among men;
he is marked by a sign.
- Ernest Renan (1823-1892)