Re: KLN94 updates with Sandisk writer - unit-specific?

[Peter R.]

> wrote:

> But is the compact flash card written with the Sandisk writer
> similarly GPS unit specific? I cannot see how it could be. Is there
> any way to write out a backup flash card for example (I have a spare
> flash card from BK).

Yes, if I understand your question correctly, the card is BK-specific
because it has certain data (either topographical, man-made obstruction, or
both) on it that is placed there by BK, not by the process you will go
through every month when updating terminal data.

Also, the Sandisk reader requires special firmware for it to be able to
read and write BK data.

And finally, if you take the compact flash card out of the special-use
Sandisk reader and place it in another compact flash card reader, the OS
cannot access the card (as if it was not formatted).

--
Peter

[Peter Clark]

On Tue, 31 Jan 2006 09:38:12 +0000, Peter >
wrote:

>
> "Peter R." > wrote:
>
>>And finally, if you take the compact flash card out of the special-use
>>Sandisk reader and place it in another compact flash card reader, the OS
>>cannot access the card (as if it was not formatted).
>
>I wonder how that was achieved.
>
>They are using standard retail CF cards; they must be relying on
>retail packaged CF readers/writers to not be able to access certain
>areas of the card. Somebody who can do a physical sector copy should
>be able to duplicate one of these.

They also use special firmware for the SanDisk writer. It's
interesting that during the flash session, during the window that the
software is using the card, it can be explored with Windows Explorer,
but it becomes "device not ready" as soon as it closes the write.

Presuming the physical sector copy gets *everything*, including
however and wherever they've stored the card's serial number, it
should be feasible to have duplicates of the same card. Do the cards
themselves have unique identifying characteristics stored in a
non-writable area of the card? Serial number or anything?

>What about the KMD550 card? That's a PCMCIA flash module made by
>Intel.

Same deal, won't even open up in Windows. I believe that one uses a
special filesystem, but as they don't allow downloadable updates for
those devices I haven't futzd around with it enough to get past the
initial levels of "keep out" coding.