Q: Why is the actual storage capacity of the Memory Card slightly less that the product specification?

A: All storage products will display a lower than stated memory capacity. The reason is the general used method for calculation of megabyte used by manufacturers:

The calculation for a 32GB is done like this:

32GB=32.000.000.000 Bytes, 1024Byte = 1KB

32.000.000.000/1024= 30.250.000KB, 1024KB=1MB

31.250.000.000/1024= 30.517,58MB, 1024MB=1GB

30.517,58/1024= 29,8GB

Therefore a 32GB Flash Disk will show 29,8GB under Windows.

Q: What is SD 2.0 (SDHC)?

A: SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity, SD 2.0) is an extension of the SD standard which increases card's storage capacity up to 32 GB. SDHC cards share the same physical and electrical form factor as the older SD cards, allowing SDHC-devices to support both newer SDHC cards and older SD-cards. To increase addressable storage, SDHC uses sector addressing instead of byte addressing in the previous SD standard. The SD 2.0 standard limits the maximum capacity of an SDHC card to 32 GB. SDHC cards will not work in devices designed to the older SD 1.x specification. The SDHC trademark is licensed to ensure compatibility.

Q: What is SDXC?

A: The Secure Digital Extended Capacity (SDXC) format was unveiled at CES 2009. The maximum capacity defined for SDXC cards is 2 TB (2048 GB). The older SDHC cards also have a maximum capacity of 2 TB based on the card data structures, but this is artificially limited to 32 GB by the SD 2.0 specification. The first SDXC being released are governed by an SD 3.0 specification (which also still specifies FAT32 format and thus lower capacities), whereas higher capacity and faster SDXC are expected to follow an SD 4.0 specification, which is due to be released in the spring of 2010.

Q: What is the SDHC class rating ?

A: The speed class rating is the official unit of speed measurement for SDHC cards, which were defined by the SD Association. It is equal to 8 Mbit/s, and it measures the minimum write speeds based on the best fragmented state where no memory unit is occupied.

The following are the ratings of some currently available cards:

Class 2: 16 Mbit/s (2 MB/s)

Class 4: 32 Mbit/s (4 MB/s)

Class 6: 48 Mbit/s (6 MB/s)

Class 10: 80 Mbit/s (10 MB/s)

Pretec provide the highest speed SDHC 233x pro class 16 card. It's read/write performance up to 35/20 MB/s.

Q: Warranty for SD card?

A: Warranty is 3 years or more

Q: I need to reformat my memory card, which method should i use?

A: If you have a digital camera it is better to format your card in the camera. If you are using the card in a device other than a camera, we recommend the formatting of the card using a card reader, as described below:

If you are using the card in two different devices with different formats (e.g. a Digital Camera and a MP3 player) we would advise you to use two separate cards.

If formatting in the Card Reader (WARNING: FORMATTING CAN & WILL DELETE ALL DATA) please see you device or camera manual before proceeding with a format.

Be aware, by default Windows will format a memory card of 2GB or higher capacity to FAT32.

Formatting in a PC:

Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7

Open My Computer

Locate the drive letter of your memory card

Right-click on this drive

Select Format... (This will launch the Format Utility Window)

Under the option File System select FAT32

Click on the Start button

- Press Start / Run

- Type 'cmd' press the OK button

- This will launch the MS-DOS window and prompt

- Type format *: /fs:FAT32 or NTFS  (* represents the drive letter that windows recognises the card as)

- Press return and follow the onscreen prompts

- Once the routine is complete type EXIT

Q: Why do digital memory cards sometimes become “unreadable” ?

A: This problem is not related to any particular brand of memory card or device. It can occur when the device had been interrupted when accessing the memory card.

To avoid this problem;

- DO NOT turn OFF the device or remove the memory card while the device is reading, writing, erasing or formatting.

- DO NOT use the device while the batteries are low. This could result in corruption. In some cases power can run out as the memory card is being written to.

- AVOID inserting and removing the memory card with the device switched ON.

- To fix this problem you will need to reformat the memory card (this will destroy all data held on the card).

- You may be able to recover images from a corrupted memory card before formatting  (see FAQ on reformatting the memory card).

- Some cameras will not access memory cards that have been formatted in a Card Reader, so please read your camera manual before proceeding with a format.

- When using card readers make sure the readers light is not flashing and wait a few seconds before pulling the card out of the card reader slot.

Q: How long will data stay valid for on a memory card or USB Flash Drive ?

A: Memory cards and USB drives are NOT designed for long term storage. You should always backup your data on to another device. The data will normally stay valid for a period of up to 10 years if stored under normal conditions. The data cells inside carry a charge which can dissipate over time. The data can be refreshed; copy all data off card and then format the card or USB drive and then restore all data to extend the data for another 10 years.

Q: I have saved my photos back to the memory card. Why can't I view them in the camera?

A: Most cameras will only view images stored within a set folder structure. If you have saved the images to new folders we suggest moving the images back to within the camera's folder structure and you should be able to view them if in the correct format, but this may not be the case always as some cameras will only display images with the correct EXIF information. (This is extra data stored with the image).  

If you have modified the original image or changed the file format using Adobe Photoshop or similar the image may now not be compatible with your camera's operating system and so will not display on the camera's viewing screen (the images will be perfectly safe and fine to print).

To avoid problems it is best not to save changed images back to the memory card if possible.

Q: After using a memory card for some time I have noticed I can no longer save the same number of images to the card. Is it faulty?

A: The memory card is not faulty. This is an occasional issue that can happen after a long period of use.

To fix this the card may need to be reformatted either in you device or using a compatible card reader. Remember to have downloaded and backed up any images you wish to keep before formatting, as this will destroy all data saved on the card.

Q: How can I recover pictures from a memory card that has become unreadable?

A: If a card has become unreadable, DO NOT format the card if there is data on the card you wish to recover. If corrupt data has been written to a card, it still may be possible to retrieve data/images from the card.

In many occasions it is possible to use Data Recovery software to recover images or data from a memory card/USB Flash Drive that is no longer readable.

We have used "Photorescue" from Datarescue.

Available from: www.datarescue.com/photorescue

This information has been given in good faith and without any liability

There is a demo version for download that will show you if it can recover your images before you need to purchase the software.

Do a web search for "photo recovery software" and see what is available

If you have an INTEGRAL card please contact us using our web form

Q: My device does not recognise my Integral memory card. What is wrong?

A:- Make sure the memory card is not inserted upside down, this is a very common issue with memory cards in mobile phone handsets.

  - Try rebooting/switching on your device with the memory card already inserted.

  - Is your device SDHC / miniSDHC / microSDHC compatible? - many cameras, PDA's, mobile phone handsets and built-in card readers (on a PC) produced before Summer 2007 will not work with SDHC memory cards.

  - Check the switch on the side of the memory card is not set to the "lock" position. If the memory card is locked; move the switch to the unlock position and then try again

  - If you have a SDXC card you must use a compatible SDXC device. To use on a PC you will require a compatible device and a compatible operating system. Please click here to see our guide

  - Try another memory card

Q: What is the difference between SLC and MLC flash memory chips?

A: Most flash products on the market utilize NAND flash memory which can be sub-divided into two categories, SLC and MLC. MLC is by far is the most popular because it has a lower cost.

- SLC (Single Level Cell) products store only one data bit per NAND flash cell which leads to faster transfer speeds, higher cell endurance and a lower power consumption. The only downside to SLC chips is the manufacturing cost per Megabyte. SLCs are intended for the high-end consumer and server market and they have approximately 10 times more endurance compared to MLCs.

- MLC (Multi Level Cell)  store two or more bits per NAND flash cell. Storing more bits per cell achieves a higher capacity and lower manufacturing cost per Megabyte. MLC products are designed for the mainstream consumer market.