HELP! My REDFLASH (CF) Module DOES NOT work!

[Uberman]

I've had my RED ONE for less than one month and I've never used the CF module. Not that I don't want to...I just cannot.

Every time I input a 16gb CF card, the RED One does not recognize that there is media present. I get no prompt for formatting. I get nothing.

I've gone through my pack of 4 CF cards and neither works. However, the cards work fine with my external CF card reader.

. . .

My friend looked into the small sliver where the CF cards go and said that it looks like one copper wire is bent. He asked if we could open up the module to push the bent wire back into its proper position.

I wonder: is this an easy fix? How does opening the module affect the camera? Is there any other way to fix this problem?! (My RED Drive recently stopped working and now this. I have no media to record with! HELP!)

 

[Nick Gardner]

Well, first call Red. How old is your camera? do you have the updated CF reader that works with 16gig cards? What happens when you try to format a card?

Nick

 

[A. Clint Litton]

I'd hit up the Bomb Squad ASAP. As simple as the solution may be, I can't imagine having your friend giving it a shot at the risk of voiding your warranty being a worthwhile endeavor.

Though you likely already know it, this CF module issue should have been brought up to Red as soon as you realized it...or did you bring it to their attention and simply didn't follow through on sending it back?

Where are you located, btw? Perhaps another Red service center is closer and can take a look...

 

[Uberman]

I can't format. The camera doesn't recognize that there is media present.

 

[Uberman]

Yea, I pretty much figured that it may be "user-err" so I gave myself time to learn up before confirming that it doesn't work.

Another challenge is that I'm in Africa, 10,000 miles away from California and the RED is my business. I can't afford much down time.

But I want to do this right, so I appreciate all your suggestions. Thanks.

 

[Nick Gardner]

A spare CF card module is a good investment. They are only $500 and they are quick and easy to change. Since they sent out the new ones to be installed by owners, I doubt it would impact your warranty. As I said call Red. I imagine hey could fedex you a new module.

Nick

 

[sander kamp]

I think it would be good to have at least a proper look inside. Opening up the CF card module is easy, just remove the 4 screws. This is a operation you had to do yourself anyway when the new modules were sent. If a pin is bent I would discuss with RED what to do.

 

[Marco Montenegro]

Obi, I just sent you a PM.
Marco

 

[Uberman]

So I opened it up and confirmed that there was a bent pin. I used a sewing needle to push the pin back up to its proper position. I then tested it again and the camera still didn't recognize the CF media.

Is it possible that the circuit board was fried by the pins touching each other?

. . .

Either way, I'm going to get a new CF READER WRITER kit.

 

[Stephen Strangways]

In my experience working with a camera repair company, they have never been able to just straighten a pin on a CF card module in a digital stills camera and have it work again, they've always needed to replace them.

I don't think it's a short as much as it's just that the pins and the way they connect to the circuit board are delicate enough that bending them one way and then back is enough to break the connection.

 

[Deanan]

So I opened it up and confirmed that there was a bent pin. I used a sewing needle to push the pin back up to its proper position. I then tested it again and the camera still didn't recognize the CF media.

Is it possible that the circuit board was fried by the pins touching each other?

. . .

Either way, I'm going to get a new CF READER WRITER kit.

Bent pins could have caused a short or in some cases a bent pin can screw up the CF cards by shorting or physically damaging the contacts on the CF.

 

[rod bradley]

I got lucky -- and did straighten a bent pin on remote location and all became good. I suspect (don't know) what might've bent the pin was a tiny sand grain lodging in the CF card recepticle.

I quickly learned the lesson and purchased a backup CF kit. This is essential if you're going to be off the beaten track as it is an easy operator fix.

Good luck on getting quickly up and running.

 

[Uberman]

Thanks for all the help guys.

 

[Kwan Khan]

Every time I input a 16gb CF card, the RED One does not recognize that there is media present. I get no prompt for formatting. I get nothing.

Same issue here Since I upgraded to Build 30?