Sansa can use microSD 2GB, 4GB, 8GB

[djsilver666]

After some thorough forum searching (why not find it myself, right?  ) I have found that Rockbox supports any microSD card from 1GB to 8GB, and even up to 32GB theoretically (source:http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?topic=15414).

Several other topics of note:
♦ files can be transferred between the microSD and HD (source:http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?topic=13153)
♦ and one should never rename the root folder for the microSD card (source:http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?topic=15414)

While the general consensus is that any sized microSD card can be used, there was a some-what disturbing problem that was left unresolved with him unable to even see his 8GB microSD card (and a Sandisk card!) (source:http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?topic=15845).

I am about to buy a 8GB microSD card made by Sandisk (I have a gift card to BestBuy) and I just want to check that it will really work. How many other people are happily using a 8GB microSD card? Are there any weird quirks that I should know about?

And BTW I thoroughly love Rockbox! I found about Rockbox when searching for how to put games on my Sansa, and I've been nothing but blown away by the creativity and usefulness! It truly shocked me how much could be done with the same hardware if there was a really good software platform (i.e. Rockbox). Rockbox shows what a real piece of crud the factory firmware is! I used my Sansa rather infrequently before, and now I'm addicted to it

[AlexP]

I am about to buy a 8GB microSD card made by Sandisk (I have a gift card to BestBuy) and I just want to check that it will really work. How many other people are happily using a 8GB microSD card? Are there any weird quirks that I should know about?

Yes, it will work in Rockbox but not in the OF.  As Rockbox does not yet have its own USB mode for the Sansas, this will mean that you need to use an external card reader to get files onto it, or first copy them to the internal memory and then move them to the card in Rockbox.

When Rockbox USB mode is ready, you will be able to copy them directly to the card from the PC, the SD card will appear as an additional device.

[MarcGuay]

While the general consensus is that any sized microSD card can be used, there was a some-what disturbing problem that was left unresolved with him unable to even see his 8GB microSD card (and a Sandisk card!) (source:http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?topic=15845).

I usually assume that when someone disappears in the way that guy did, their problem got solved somehow and they didn't have the courtesy to share the whys and hows with everyone else.  Don't take this as a guarantee, though, as I don't have microSD card myself, I'm just saying that a bunch of confirmed successes versus one unconfirmed failure sounds like a pretty good bet to me. 

[robin0800]

I will vote for yes it does work in rockbox.
I have a 9 Gb player C240 1Gb and a microsdhc card 8Gb.
Yes you need a seperate card reader.
If you want to playlist it you can't use third party applications to provde them directly
I also find, for just updating rockbox, there is no need to remove the card. The OF won't see it but the player still boots.

Edit
Just found this
 http://www.mymemory.co.uk/Micro-SDHC/SanDisk/SanDisk-8GB-Micro-SD-%28SDHC%29-Card---Class-4

[Chronon]

I use an 8GB SanDisk microSDHC card in my Sansa.  It works fine with no quirks.

[djsilver666]

Okay, thanks everybody! I just got it!

Well, I popped it in at the store and checked the Rockbox info, and it did show MSD:7.59GB. That's wonderful!

One problem with the Sandisk reader though, I figured out what way it goes in by looking at this picture http://www.slashgear.com/gallery/data_files/7/4/SanDisk_8GB_MicroSD_HC_card_4.JPG but it stills says "Please insert a disk into drive G:". Also the little reader seems to get warm quite quickly...

If I can't get the reader to work then the only way I can put music on it is by moving it off the Sansa internally

Edit: got it to work, just had to push it in farther than in the picture. Kinda hard to get out now... But hey, can't complain

[MarcGuay]

In case you haven't read it already, I recommend checking out the Sansa FAQ in the wiki, as it contains some information regarding iffyness when booting up with the card inserted.

[djsilver666]

I recommend checking out the Sansa FAQ in the wiki, as it contains some information regarding iffyness when booting up with the card inserted.

Could you provide a link please? I'm having some trouble finding what you are referring to (sorry if it's obvious)

[MarcGuay]

http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/SansaE200Port

[AlexP]

Also http://www.rockbox.org/wiki/SansaFAQ

[Chronon]

The SansaFAQ page has the following entry:

If you have a microSD card in your player you must either remove the card on USB plug-in (you can insert it after connecting to write data to the card as long as it's not a SDHC) or boot the original firmware manually first and then connect to USB.

I usually shut down the player prior to connecting via USB and don't notice any problems due to my card.

[djsilver666]

Okay, thanks for the links.

Any idea when USB will be supported? I know it's a Google Summer of Code project, and I would be glad to help if I can. Don't know how helpful I would be...

[jacoby]

The SansaFAQ page has the following entry:

If you have a microSD card in your player you must either remove the card on USB plug-in (you can insert it after connecting to write data to the card as long as it's not a SDHC) or boot the original firmware manually first and then connect to USB.

I usually shut down the player prior to connecting via USB and don't notice any problems due to my card.

I've always meant to comment on that.  I do neither of the things suggested, and have never had a single problem with my e200 with the SD card inserted.  In fact, I've been using this port since a few months before it had audio working, and I have been lurking here watching it ever since, yet I don't ever remember anyone ever actually saying they had this issue.

[Chronon]

I can't really say that I've noticed any issue that I could directly attribute to the microSDHC card.

[MarcGuay]

I've always meant to comment on that.  I do neither of the things suggested, and have never had a single problem with my e200 with the SD card inserted.

I think I may have been the one who added that due to a report from someone using a c200.  Perhaps the issue is isolated to that specific Sansa player?