VX121P/151P/171P(-QM57)
User’s manual rev.0.0 (Preliminary)
MU-C656.xxxxxxxxxx r.0.0-EN
47 of 68
8.10 Compact Flash disk
As an order option the Panel PC can be equipped with a solid state disk Compact
Flash (CF). The CF installation is committed to the user.
The CF is an embedded solid state data storage system that electrically complies
with the PCMCIA ATA standard. The CF also supports a IDE Mode that is
electrically compatible with the IDE (PC/AT) interface, requiring no additional
device drivers to run existing applications in a DOS Operating System.
Caution
The Panel PC supports CF in IDE Mode only (PATA).
To configure the CF in IDE Mode, the CF must be inserted in the 50
pin socket before power is switched on. Removing and reinserting the
CF while the power is on will reconfigure the CF to PC Card ATA and
system hang or damage may occur.
The sector size of the CF is the same as in a magnetic disk drive: 512bytes.
When compared to magnetic disk drives the CF offer lower power consumption,
faster seek and access times and higher reliability for increase data integrity.
Notice
Any Flash based data storage system has a limited number of erase-
write cycles. In some application data files are updated very
frequently. The user must verify the number of update cycles against
the expected working life on the field.
CF has expected erase-writes cycles guaranteed per logical sector (reading a
logical sector is unlimited). In some applications the program requires more files
update than the guaranteed erase-write cycles within the expected time. In that
case it is better to use an alternative disk to store those files.
The CF on the market are of different type and reliability; refer to specific
characteristic indicated by the manufacturers.
The SETUP allows BIOS to be informed about the current IDE disk in use. Auto
Detect Hard Disk menu allows the BIOS to determine the proper settings of the
drive, based on the manufacturer’s information. Avoid manually enter information
for a pre-formatted disk drive. If the specific cylinder, head and sector information
used was different than the manufacturer’s settings the system will be unable to
boot the Operating System.
The Panel PC supports one or two Compact Flash disks (as order option). A CF
socket is available opening the little cover on the bottom side of the chassis. The
second socket, if provided, is internal and it’s available opening the cover
The CF must be in inserted into the 50 pin socket placed on the adapter board.
