What model to choose for a Compact Flash (CF) card reader in PC Card format that works for Linux?

You probably need one for CF Type I (which is the most widespread and 3,3mm thick, while CF Type II is 5mm thick and used e.g. for IBM microdrive). See Wikipedia on CF types.

Regarding Linux compatibility, there’s good news for adapters in PC-Card format that offer a Compact Flash slot:

“Adapters […] Some of them e.g. CF to PCMCIA adapters are only physically extending a CF card and don’t require a special Linux driver, but the one for the card. Note there are Typ I as well as Typ II (expensive) adapters available.” (from tuxmobil.org)

So you can choose any device. Here are some where I found explicit notes regarding Linux compatibility, and some others:

  • Lexar Compact Flash PC-Card-Adapter CFAD231 (works for Linux)
  • SanDisk SDAD-38-A10 CF to PC Card Adapter (manufacturer’s description) (works for Linux)
  • SCM PC-Card Adapter CompactFlash (e.g. for 9 EUR from alternate.de)
  • SANDISK Ultra PC Card Adapter (SDDR-64-783) (about 10 EUR) (don’t know yet if it works for Linux)
  • SANDISK Ultra PC Card Adapter (SDDR-64-783) (manufacturer’s description) (about 10 EUR) (don’t know yet if it works for Linux)
  • Sandisk CF PC-Card-Adapter (SDAD-38-E10) (about 10 EUR) (don’t know yet if it works for Linux, but might be just the European version of the American SDAD-38-E10, which works for Linux as stated above)

There is this HowTo where somebody claims that he got a SanDisk CF PC-Card adapter to work in Linux (the CF card appears like a hard disk), but he does not tell the model.

For a list of more manufacturers to look at, see the Compact Flash Association’s list of CF adapter manufacturers.


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