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microSD card from Intenso outputs only FF when cloned
http://forum.hddguru.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=45336		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  SOSdonnees [ May 20th, 2025, 7:07 ]
Post subject:  microSD card from Intenso outputs only FF when cloned
Hi there,

Have here a weird 32GB microSD HC card that works almost like a healthy one, quickly answering to commands, and also cloning at a normal speed. However, when cloning its only ouputs FF values.

The client explained me that the pictures suddenly were non more readable in her camera and confirmed me that the card had not been reformated.

fdisk -l :
Code:
Disk /dev/sde: 29.1 GiB, 31272206336 bytes, 61078528 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

hdparm -I /dev/sde
Code:
/dev/sde:

Unknown device type:
   bits 15&14 of general configuration word 0 both set to 1.

As we can see, the card properly answers to fdisk -l but not not to hdparm -I.
Can someone tell more about the "general configuration word" mentioned for the unknown device type?
Author:  fzabkar [ May 21st, 2025, 1:04 ]
Post subject:  Re: microSD card from Intenso outputs only FF when cloned
"hdparm -I" sends an ATA Identify Device command to a PATA/SATA drive and expects a 512-byte response (aka "passport"). The first word of this response is the "general configuration word". If bit 15 = 0, then the device is an ATA device. If bit 15 = 1, then the device is ATAPI. Bit 14 is reserved (?), so I expect that it should be 0.

In short, this is the wrong command to be sending to an SD card, if I understand correctly.
Author:  SWM [ May 21st, 2025, 2:05 ]
Post subject:  Re: microSD card from Intenso outputs only FF when cloned
bits 15&14 of general configuration word 0 both set to 1 = only ouputs FF values. :)
Author:  Arch Stanton [ May 21st, 2025, 3:03 ]
Post subject:  Re: microSD card from Intenso outputs only FF when cloned
Firmware / translator issue?
Author:  SOSdonnees [ May 21st, 2025, 12:51 ]
Post subject:  Re: microSD card from Intenso outputs only FF when cloned
Quote:
"hdparm -I" sends an ATA Identify Device command to a PATA/SATA drive and expects a 512-byte response (aka "passport"). The first word of this response is the "general configuration word". If bit 15 = 0, then the device is an ATA device. If bit 15 = 1, then the device is ATAPI. Bit 14 is reserved (?), so I expect that it should be 0.

In short, this is the wrong command to be sending to an SD card, if I understand correctly.

This is correct. I am using hdparm so often to identify hard drives, that I missed checking the documentation.
It remains for SATA/IDE: https://linux.die.net/man/8/hdparm
Interesting to notice that CompactFlash cards support IDE/ATA command protocol.

As for SD cards, they do use SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface).

Quote:
Firmware / translator issue?

I also assume so.
The card as viewed by HxD editor is also full of FF.
Author:  melvin [ May 21st, 2025, 13:45 ]
Post subject:  Re: microSD card from Intenso outputs only FF when cloned
Try via NAND protocol. Maybe translator is damaged or erased.
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