Are you satisfied with Eruware's CF Driver?

[berliner]

I see a lot of bickering and complaining about the bugs in Eruware's CF driver. However, I think the majority of users are just happy to have another storage option that is much cheaper than MSPro. I, for one, am very happy with the driver so far and look forward to future improvements. I congratulate Eruware for their success in accomplishing something that nobody else to this point could. I use the CF mostly to view large medical textbooks in iSilo, and for that purpose, the driver works flawlessly.

[Unregistered]

I love it. With a gift certificate and a mail-in rebate and on sale and employee discount I got a 1GB CF card for 70 Dollars Canadian. It works great, no problems so far. And from what I hear the update for the driver will allow camera use. I can't wait.

[Tixx]

I deleted it for now.

[filegrabber]

same here:(

[frasej]

It works as advertised and that's good enough for me... for now. Looking forward to the update.

[YTTAN]

May I know what are the reasons for deleting the "$27" driver?

I'm still consider to get one as I found out that there are some steps and restrictions on CF card when it's work with the built in appls.

Due to this driver there is no trial version, I don't really think that it's worth the $27 to try it on the CF memory card.

I will get it only when all restrictions are clear just like MS Pro or maybe reduce the steps to take in and out the card from the clie.

[BClie2k]

It only needs to be polished and voila.

By the way the new Mobile version of ClieSource rocks on NetFront.

Al

[Clietastic]

I'm quite happy with the CF driver, even with the limitations.

Of cos I hope that future improvements/enhancements can be made but in its current form, it's good enuf for me :) and I'm GLAD i PAID for it ... no excuses ;)

[Tixx]

Originally posted by YTTAN
May I know what are the reasons for deleting the "$27" driver?

I'm still consider to get one as I found out that there are some steps and restrictions on CF card when it's work with the built in appls.

Due to this driver there is no trial version, I don't really think that it's worth the $27 to try it on the CF memory card.

I will get it only when all restrictions are clear just like MS Pro or maybe reduce the steps to take in and out the card from the clie.

The thing for me was that you could never get everything to work under one setting with the CF Driver active. You always had to change a setting or reset your device depending on which application you wanted to use which is not convenient in my opinion.

[Brownster]

I have been using the CF Driver from day one and loving it. The only real issue for me is the video files on my 1gb Sandisk. So I have all my MP3's on my 1gb which stays in. I have my video files on my 128 and 256 cards. I exchange my CF cards without any extra steps...not sure what you mean by reduce steps. The only extra steps are if I want to go back to using my MS after using my CF slot as primary.

Jim

[Woodn]

I have a simple philosophy, before I had a useless void in my Clie, now I have active slot into which I can place up to 1GB of cheap memory.

I am very happy with it - it allows me to do everything I currently want to do with my current set of apps.

I'm sure that over time it will become more polished and even more versatile, overcoming the problems which other users face.

For the moment, it suits me fine.

Regards

Nigel

[tifosiv122]

I got the driver for 1gb of mp3's. It works perfectly. I love the driver, I love CF, and I love my clie more then ever now.

Erik

[korben]

Hi,

I would like to say that driver is simply FABULOUS ! it take the NX another way to have a ver very good PDA ! You can do every thing you want with it.

I actuelly use a 256mo CF with powerrun, with a lot of picture, some videos et picsel documents.

I essentially use the MS for the applications which are not compatible with the CF card : video record, photo record; And i stock my mp3 on it.

I would like to say to someone who is hesitate to go to the Eruware site and buy the driver because it is fantastic ! you can save your ram space with powerrun (Netfront and Picsel view...), you can go on the web (MS Bluetooth) and have a memory card for your data, it is very very good driver.

Thanks a lot to the developpers Euruware.

PS : excuse me for my english...Bye..see you...

[Juryrigger]

I like the driver in theory, but I am unable to watch full length hi-res (or even medium quality for that matter) movies on my PDA. (Player locks up)

I am also unable to play MP3's from my CF card. (Player locks up or gets garbled or skips to the next song half way through each track.)

Since these were the 2 reasons I bought the card / driver, it is hard for me to say I am happy. Haven't even touched the card since I realized it was useless for the two things I wanted to use it for. (For the moment at least)

I really really hope these issues can be sorted out! I am looking forward to updates to the driver!

-Juryrigger

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by Juryrigger
I like the driver in theory, but I am unable to watch full length hi-res (or even medium quality for that matter) movies on my PDA. (Player locks up)

I am also unable to play MP3's from my CF card. (Player locks up or gets garbled or skips to the next song half way through each track.)

Since these were the 2 reasons I bought the card / driver, it is hard for me to say I am happy. Haven't even touched the card since I realized it was useless for the two things I wanted to use it for. (For the moment at least)

I really really hope these issues can be sorted out! I am looking forward to updates to the driver!

-Juryrigger

Yes, your issues are being beta tested now. In the interim, you could install the MS Pro driver and that should help with your MP3's.

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by BClie2k
It only needs to be polished and voila.

By the way the new Mobile version of ClieSource rocks on NetFront.

Al

Hello Al,

What new mobile version? Please enlighten me, Thanks!

[OcellNuri]

www.cliesource.com/forums/?styleid=3

All typed from memory... oh yea!

Just put that in your browser on your Clie and enjoy mobile Cliesource.
The menu items are in french right now, but it's easy to figure it all out. If you need to get back to the normal version...

www.cliesource.com/forums/?styleid=1

There is a story about it on the front page of cliesource.

[OcellNuri]

To get back on topic...

I am decently happy with the driver. It works great for storing apps and documents with programs that support multiple VFS. Even just being able to use it with AcidImage saved me 20megs of space on my MS. Unfortunately, I don't have my own CF card yet, and I'm borrowing one out of my father's Digital Cam. So this means it gets taken away every now and then. I cannot become dependent on it yet.

I am looking forward to enhancments, such as being able to play mp3's and movies without loosing the memory stick. These will take time, and I can wait. Of course... if a new unit without a CF slot tempts me, then it will be a mute point... :(

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by OcellNuri
www.cliesource.com/forums/?styleid=3

All typed from memory... oh yea!

Just put that in your browser on your Clie and enjoy mobile Cliesource.
The menu items are in french right now, but it's easy to figure it all out. If you need to get back to the normal version...

www.cliesource.com/forums/?styleid=1

There is a story about it on the front page of cliesource.

Hi Chris!

Thanks! The problem is the Home Page is coming up blank today for me. I get the logo in the upper left hand corner, but the rest is a blank bluish purple.

I have tried flushing my cache, shutting off my add killer and stuff, to no avail??

[avayaguy]

I have a sandisk 128Mbyte card. Pretty basic. Granted it is perhaps 2 years old, but hey it works in my camera and laptop, but when I tried to use it with eruware, the eruware won't allow formatting of the card (says service not available) and won't read from or write to the card.

Tried all the tricks described. I'll go out and risk another CF card (can't hurt to have another one anyway, my others are 32M cards and the same age)... to see if perhaps it is a particular series of CF SanDisk cards that is the problem.

With all the optimism, I do look forward to using this successfully. For me, if I can use CF and store PPT presentations, and use Margi Presenter To Go utility (provided that utility will let me looka t CF and not just internal memory), that would be wonderful!

Ken

[Philson]

I just installed the driver yesterday. Not only am I looking forward to greater storage capacity, but I also want to use the excellent screen on my NX70V to view photographs from my digital camera. I was very pleased when I slipped the CF card out of my Canon 1Ds and into the CLIE, fired up CLIE Viewer, and saw my photographs pop up as thumbnails. These are huge files from from an 11 megapixel camera, and the performance on the CLIE was (as expected) on the slow side, but it works. It's great to be able to enlarge and manipulate the images, and I look forward to doing some field tests.

Needless to say, so far, I am very pleased with the Eruware driver.

[Dripps]

Ken, Why don't you format the card with your PC? I'm pretty sure your 128mbyte sandisk card will work fine. You need to use a card reader and format as FAT.

[BClie2k]

Originally posted by n2ifp


Hi Chris!

Thanks! The problem is the Home Page is coming up blank today for me. I get the logo in the upper left hand corner, but the rest is a blank bluish purple.

I have tried flushing my cache, shutting off my add killer and stuff, to no avail??

Larry,

I'm using NetFront with PowerRun and I have disable the cache only. I don't know if this helps, but I've also intall the lastest version of NetFront Revision 1.1.35

It works fast and very stable.

Going back to the Compact Flash driver, isn't it about time to get an update?:(

Al

[Juryrigger]

Originally posted by n2ifp


Yes, your issues are being beta tested now. In the interim, you could install the MS Pro driver and that should help with your MP3's.

That is good to hear, I had no doubt the issues were being looked at. My only fears are that the issues are something that is non fixable from the driver end. (ie problem truly lies with sony mp3 player / video player) I will just wait and see what happens though.

And I have tried installing mspro patch, wifi card driver, all sorts of other voodoo to try to get my mp3 playback to work from the cf card, but without success. :(

-Jury

[BettyE]

I'm very happy. I use my 1 GB CF card to store audible.com files that I converted to MP3 format. Right now, I have 5 audio books on it! As I am not accessing it that often, I don't mind the mounting/unmounting/masquerading, etc.

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by BClie2k


Larry,

I'm using NetFront with PowerRun and I have disable the cache only. I don't know if this helps, but I've also intall the lastest version of NetFront Revision 1.1.35

It works fast and very stable.

Going back to the Compact Flash driver, isn't it about time to get an update?:(

Al

Sorry Al,

The problem is with my desktop PC, I found out last night after trying to release my self from the French Connection, that if I wasn't logged in, the Home page dsiplays just fine, once logged in, it is basically a blank page :(

Last thing I had heard was Amir optimizing the video. I can store stills on the CF just fine now. There is a minor issue with ZL when exiting the Camera app that has been referred to ZZ Tech.

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by Juryrigger


That is good to hear, I had no doubt the issues were being looked at. My only fears are that the issues are something that is non fixable from the driver end. (ie problem truly lies with sony mp3 player / video player) I will just wait and see what happens though.

And I have tried installing mspro patch, wifi card driver, all sorts of other voodoo to try to get my mp3 playback to work from the cf card, but without success. :(

-Jury

MP3 playback is working fine now for me without the MS Pro patch. Until now, MP3's didn't work for me either without the patch. I haven't had the time to enjoy it much lately :(

I understand your concerns, but I have no control, but doing my best to help whenever possible.

[Unregistered]

remembering you said in another post that you don't buy CDs. where are you getting this music you are listening to? always looking for a new source.

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by Unregistered
remembering you said in another post that you don't buy CDs. where are you getting this music you are listening to? always looking for a new source.

Very true, I don't buy CD's anymore, but I still have a bunch from the past. My 200 CD changer is filled and so is my 10 CD changer in my truck. When the music industry started playing games, I stopped buying! 

[rob_squared]

My favorite example of the Celine Dion CD that crashed computers. But a black sharpie fixed all that. :D

[jrockway]

I would like the driver better if the backend were Open Source so I could write my own drivers. Eruware should opensource the raw CF API and sell the storage driver. That way, other people/companies can make BlueTooth, WiFi, Sound, etc. drivers.

If EruWare doesn't release a CF API, someone else will. Looks like I have a project for the summer! (And something to reverse engineer!)

[wilfredt]

Originally posted by BClie2k


Larry,

I'm using NetFront with PowerRun and I have disable the cache only. I don't know if this helps, but I've also intall the lastest version of NetFront Revision 1.1.35


Al

BClie2k, could you tell me where can I get the latest NetFront for my NZ?

[Godzilla63]

Originally posted by Juryrigger


And I have tried installing mspro patch, wifi card driver, all sorts of other voodoo to try to get my mp3 playback to work from the cf card, but without success. :(

-Jury

I have the same problems if...... my playlist is not in synch with the card i.e. if I've done a few deletes or adds. Once i've synched the list with the card (my theory for now) I don't seem to have any problems with the audioplayer.

However.... the work around to get the MS card working in addition to masquareding the CF seems to cause a lot of hangs.

Clearly this is a 1.0 release and needs some work. Nevertheless I like the 1GB full of MP3s

[MythoFactory]

the problem is not the driver, it's the apps. AudioPlayer for one is unmanageable if you have 200+ mp3s in your 1GB CF card. someone have to come up with an iPod-like music navigation, and iTunes-like songs storage (/author/album/ folders, file names that match the song title, etc...) that supports ID3 tags correctly.

[birick]

I'm unhappy right now, it doesn't do anything for me. One card it won't recognise. The other it will recognise, but it won't read from it...I must be doing something wrong, but so far I haven't been able to do anything utilizing the CF card.

[Godzilla63]

Originally posted by MythoFactory
the problem is not the driver, it's the apps. AudioPlayer for one is unmanageable if you have 200+ mp3s in your 1GB CF card. someone have to come up with an iPod-like music navigation, and iTunes-like songs storage (/author/album/ folders, file names that match the song title, etc...) that supports ID3 tags correctly.

There must be a market for a new audioplayer. I know I, for one, would spend money to get some of these types of enhancements.

[MythoFactory]

I don't know why sony thinks someone will buy a 1GB MS pro with such a clumsy app. good hard, bad soft, that's the new SONY motto

[RoyoftheRovers]

I agree. I've tried to run MM Player on my NX70 but no luck. It reads the track listing OK, but crashes with a fatal exception when I try to play.

[berliner]

Originally posted by birick
I'm unhappy right now, it doesn't do anything for me. One card it won't recognise. The other it will recognise, but it won't read from it...I must be doing something wrong, but so far I haven't been able to do anything utilizing the CF card.

Have you checked your cards on the Compatibility List (http://www.eruwarestore.com/cfscdcCards.htm) at Eruware's website. According to Eruware, every card that has been tested works. So if you're cards are not on that list, let them know they don't work.

[jaimejr66]

I received my Viking 1gb Card today.   Bought and loaded the CF driver and have been working with it for the last several hours.

My opinion so far is: I like it but I don't like it.

I LIKE:

Access to unlimited extra storage using CF cards.

With card mounted, the Palm desktop see's all of the applications I have stored on the CF card, and I have been able to use almost all of them from the desktop.

DON'T LIKE

Not unexpectedly, the Sony applications don't quite work with the CF card. So taking pictures or video is unavailable.

The masquerading feature is helpful by tricking the system into thinking the CF card is actually the memory stick, but it does not work all the time, and turning it on and off depending on what application I'm trying to run is quite a hassel.

OVERALL opinion.

Overall this software is a fine piece of work that took the useless open space on the back of my NX and gave me access to 1GB of Storage.

Knowing myself, I won't be happy until the Clie and all my applications see's and effectively treats the CF card as an additional Memory stick.  

I know Eruware is in Beta on an updated driver, so hopefully it will address some of my issues.

Strong work guys!!!!

 

[greg elmassian]

Larry, when is an update coming out... haveing some erratic behavior, and would sure like a newer version... this first cut is definitely still a beta...

somewhat disappointed that there have been no publick updates, even further betas for registered users.... twenty seven bucks is a lot of money compared to other software that took as long or longer to develop...

maybe you could talk to the developer....

Greg

[colombo]

99% of my issues with the Eruware driver stem from limitations on the Clie itself. So I'm very happy.

[fergiefarfel]

i have to like the cf driver...i can no longer use the memory stick. somehow something has overwritten the operating system to the extent that when i insert it, it formats the stick in such a way that the pc can not read its format. it says that it is formatted in RAW and as such can not be read by the pc..;.(win xp pro)

so i put whatever i need on the card (no videos of course until the problem with movie player is worked out.

[tinker2000]

Hi all,

The driver isnt perfect, but we all feel that compact flash offers a better alternative to the expensive memory sticks, but it works well, albeit a little quirky in its operation.

To give the guys at EruWare credit, they have done a fantastic job given they have no support from Sony...And to top it off purchasing the driver gives unlimited lifetime updates.....Surely this is worth $27 dollars given that the difference between an equivalent memory stick and flash memory is more than the price of the driver.

can live with this driver knowing that Eruware will eventually sort it out.

I am a programmer and know how difficult it is to develop software......

So Well done EruWare

[Dripps]

I'm just wondering....is unlimited lifetime updates a real benefit if there are no or few updates? After all---this is very specific program. If the new clies don't have CF slot or change the way they opperate, and we think about how often us high-tech, cutting edge clie users decide to upgrade, maybe this will be moot point for us all before long! I'm anxiously awaiting our first update.....hopefully it'll be before I completely give up and move on!

[berliner]

Originally posted by Dripps
I'm just wondering....is unlimited lifetime updates a real benefit if there are no or few updates? After all---this is very specific program. If the new clies don't have CF slot or change the way they opperate, and we think about how often us high-tech, cutting edge clie users decide to upgrade, maybe this will be moot point for us all before long! I'm anxiously awaiting our first update.....hopefully it'll be before I completely give up and move on!
Sure, Eruware could just go ahead and release the updated driver today and skip the beta testing. Or maybe you would prefer them to release it before they've done their best to make sure it is stable and doesn't crash your system? Hmmmm, I think I'll wait for them to release it when they feel they have given it their best. Geeeeez, how long has it been since they came out with version 1.0? About a month, maybe not even? I guess a month is an eternity for a cutting edge Clie user. You know the NX is practically obsolete already, haven't you heard about the new NX-200 BC? Looks like you're in the minority here Dripps as about 75% of cutting-edge Clie users are pretty darn happy with the stinkin' driver which is exactly what I set out to prove by starting this poll.

[Dripps]

Sure, Eruware could just go ahead and release the updated driver today and skip the beta testing. Or maybe you would prefer them to release it before they've done their best to make sure it is stable and doesn't crash your system? Hmmmm, I think I'll wait for them to release it when they feel they have given it their best. Geeeeez, how long has it been since they came out with version 1.0? About a month, maybe not even?

I think you missed my point. I DO appreciate the fact that we have a driver at all. I think Eruware has done a great job and a great service to us NX and NZ users! I was trying to say that lifetime upgrades, while being a nice feature, will not be an issue....say a year or two from now. Lifetime sounds like a long time but who thinks Eruware will be working on this in a year?

I too will wait for updated driver AFTER BETA -- an appreciate any improvement to an already amazing addition to my NX70V.

[berliner]

No prob, just sounded a little like you were complaining. And why not advertise it as lifetime upgrades? I certainly have no problem with that. Besides, we don't know yet if Sony is going to abandon the "Proprietary (dare I say CF) slot" in future Clie releases (that's a whole other discussion). If they stick with it, I'll be looking forward to OS 6...OS 7...OS 33 1/3 compatible versions of the driver with free upgrades.

[Dripps]

Besides, we don't know yet if Sony is going to abandon the "Proprietary (dare I say CF) slot" in future Clie releases (that's a whole other discussion). If they stick with it, I'll be looking forward to OS 6...OS 7...OS 33 1/3 compatible versions of the driver with free upgrades.

Now you've got me all excited again....! Never imagine using this CF driver on another PDA! Somehow the rumblings about Sony abandonning the CF slot ring more possible than not. But let's hope. Even the idea makes me smile!

[Tinker2000]

If sony had any sense, they would abandon the memory stick in favout of full cf support.....they might even sell more clies....Whydo they have to be soooo bloody different......Nice gear, stupid 'on their own formats' make it hard work....See Betamax for another example

[n2ifp]

Anything at this point as to what Sony is doing is nothing, but pure speculation.

[avayaguy]

I took a chance and reformatted via laptop all-in-one adapter and first I formatted the 128Mbyte SANDISK CF card via FAT32. Same problems. So then I went back and reformatted as FAT (i.e. FAT16) and it worked! CF driver can read from it.

ken

[n2ifp]

Yes, it has to be FAT

[roper]

I think the Eruware driver is great & so reasonably priced.

Thank you guys, you did a terrific job - unbelievable!! :)

[palo1]

I'm happy with it though it isn't perfect, but at least its better than what I had before

p

[mcullum]

No. Once again, high expectations, poor yield. I hold the beta testers responsible. Are they the one's telling eruware that this thing is ready for prime time? Try putting it thru it's paces first. Or are ALL these issues identified and the product rolled out anyways? Let us know, we're curious.

[peehdee]

I don't have the a CF card yet or the driver, but let me put my 2 cents in.

It sounds like a really good thing for the clie. the ones that complain about it sound like little spoil kids. I mean without it, the slot is useless. but with this driver, at least there is some use for it, albiet with problems. of course its not going to be flawless. but would u rather not have it at all?

so .. yeah..

thats my opinion

[Woodn]

Originally posted by peehdee
I don't have the a CF card yet or the driver, but let me put my 2 cents in.

It sounds like a really good thing for the clie. the ones that complain about it sound like little spoil kids. I mean without it, the slot is useless. but with this driver, at least there is some use for it, albiet with problems. of course its not going to be flawless. but would u rather not have it at all?

so .. yeah..

thats my opinion

I really have to agree with you there.

I have the driver and I find that the experience and utility I get from my Clie is far richer than I would without the driver.

Slanging people off, many who give their own free time to test, is at best impolite and worst, well . . . . . .

If they have a beef with Eruware - then email them directly.

Attacking them in public is pointless, since it only serves to demotivate rather than motivate them.

Again, just my own humble opinion.

Nigel

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by Woodn


I really have to agree with you there.

I have the driver and I find that the experience and utility I get from my Clie is far richer than I would without the driver.

Slanging people off, many who give their own free time to test, is at best impolite and worst, well . . . . . .

If they have a beef with Eruware - then email them directly.

Attacking them in public is pointless, since it only serves to demotivate rather than motivate them.

Again, just my own humble opinion.

Nigel

Hi Nigel,

I can only report my findings with the couple of CF cards that I own. For example I can't record lengthy movies to the CF card that the other testers can. EruWare is providing some functionality to Sony's built-in apps that were not designed to work with the CF card. Plus the built-in apps are NOT mutli-card aware. With third party apps, the CF driver is very stable, as long as the app is multi-VFS aware. This has been stated many times in the various threads here and in some of the documentation. Sony did it's best to cripple the CF slot. EruWare is the first to give functionality where no other developer has! Additionally, some of the CF cards have different timing requirements. Besides, it is an ongoing project that isn't finished yet. In the beginning many were begging for the driver no matter what state it was in. I don't make this stuff up and if anyone looks at past threads it will validate what I just stated. Yes, it would be nice if it was perfect, but thanks to Sony, it isn't it. Even Sony's new NX Clies will not support it's own built-in mutli-media apps, so what does that tell you. Personally I could care less about the blessed driver! I got involved to help others, but like anything else, there are some who don't appreciate one's time and efforts!  

[Woodn]

Larry

I was not getting at you with my comments, but rather those that seem to vent an unending stream of complaint.

I agree, the driver is still WIP and will be so for some time. I wonder how much of the problems/issues are caused by not only the (infinite) variety of apps and CF cards but also the many hacks which people have on their Clies. I also don't want to think about how many "OS 5 Comapitable" apps really are not as well behaved as they should be!

EruWare should be congratulated for giving us a good working solution for our problem, not lambasted at almost every turn.

Like you, I find the problems that Sony are having with their apps quite a giggle, in a Schadenfreude sort of way!!!!!

What gets my goat, is that any fixes that Sony finally makes, may not be made available for us lowly NX70 users,.

Regards

Nigel

[RoyoftheRovers]

I have to go with the majority on this one. At least I can now use my CF slot (which lets me use the MS for BT and the CF for storage). Personally I am indebted to Eruware for this alone, no I cannot play LP movies from the CF, but unless I fork out big time for MS Pro then I couldn't from the MS either.

My aussie 2c worth.

ROTR.

[archangel]

Version 1.2 finally was enough of an improvement and I bought it. Its well worth it for what it does. I'm using a 256MB CF card and its worked flawlessly in dual MS mode.

The Clie is a lot more useful now. I would love to see more improvements and stability, but what they have accomplished so far seems pretty amazing.

[NJFP42]

I simply love it! Now, all I have to do is figure out how to use it to it's full potential!

Cheers,
Steve H.

[exjoburger]

While others may whine, whine, whine - at least I can now use my (NX60's) CF slot for the CF cards I already have instead of forking out bigger bucks for MSPro sticks.