512 MB Compact Flash Product Notification FAQ
Hardware: CompactRIO>>Controllers>>cRIO-9004, Compact FieldPoint>>Controllers>>cFP-2010, PXI/CompactPCI>>Controllers>>PXI-8145 RT
Problem: Information on the 512 MB Compact Flash Product Notification
Only the following products shipped between December 1, 2006 and September 10, 2007 are affected:
- cRIO-9004
- cFP-2020 - Only with 512 MB Compact Flash cards in the Expansion Slot
- cFP-2120 - Only with 512 MB Compact Flash cards in the Expansion Slot
- FP-2015
- PXI-8145 - Only with 512 MB Compact Flash cards in the Primary or Secondary slots
Issue:
A Small set of 512 MB Compact Flash modules that were shipped in the products listed above were found to have an issue where data could become corrupt. The two symptoms of this corruption include reading back different data than was written (reading back all 1s), and finding extra folders in the file system with strange names such as “ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ.ÿÿÿ”.
While the possibility of encountering the problem is remote, National Instruments would like you to be aware of any known issues to ensure your success with our products.
Note that this is different from the known behavior of Compact Flash where it can become corrupt if the power is pulled while data is being written to the Compact Flash. Use backup power to prevent this issue.
Solution: National Instruments has created a software utility to identify the suspect Compact Flash. National Instruments recommends that you run the utility and return any product that is identified as "CF may be corrupt" by the utility. This does not mean your data on the Compact Flash is corrupt. It only means it has the potential to become corrupt. Please backup any data that is on the Compact Flash, download the attached utility and follow the instructions below.
Please accept our apology for the inconvenience. National Instrument is committed to your total satisfaction and to maintaining your confidence in our products. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact National Instruments Support by going to
ni.com/ask.
Steps to Run the Compact Flash Validation Utility:
- FTP to the root folder of the cRIO, (c)FP, or PXI Controller.
- Create a backup copy of ph_exec.exe and hdmon.bin on your host PC.
- Download and unzip the attached zip file "Compact Flash validation Utility.zip"
- Open the folder that corresponds to the same model of controller you are validating.
- Copy the ph_exec.exe and hdmon.bin files from this folder to the root folder of your cRIO, (c)FP, or PXI Controller overwriting the existing files.
- Reboot the controller.
- Open Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX) and click on your controller. Click the refresh button.
- Look at the "Model" line of the identification section. After the product name, e.g. "cRIO-9004", there will be some text that will say "(CF tested - Good)" or "(CF may be corrupt)". This will be your indication of whether you have a good or bad compact flash card in the controller.
- FTP back into the controller and copy the backup hdmon.bin and ph_exec.exe files from step 2 to the root folder of your controller overwriting the existing files.
- This will restore the original state of your controller. Reboot the controller for the changes to take effect.
To immediately remedy this issue, National Instruments will perform the repair of the affected product(s) at no cost to you by calling 1-800-433-3488 and referencing this behavior.
Related Links: Support: Request Support
Attachments: 
Report Date: 09/24/2007
Last Updated: 01/29/2008
Document ID: 4DNEMCFL
