How to spot a fake SDHC card

ned7077 · 05-22-2009, 09:15

I thought it might be good to post some links to information on how to spot a fake flash card and some fake flash information:

Fake Flash wiki:
http://www.overclockers.com.au/wiki/Fake_Memory_Cards

Fake Flash news blogs:
http://fakeflashnews.wordpress.com/
http://fakeflashnews.totalh.com/

Tool to detect if your flash card is a fake (Windows XP/Vista):
http://www.heise.de/ct/Redaktion/bo/...2testw_1.4.zip

Instructions can be found here.

If anyone else has easier detection methods, known fake sellers, or more links please post them.

ned7077 · 05-22-2009, 11:15

I have tested the flash verification tool for a 16GB Sandisk Ultra II SDHC card I bought from newegg.com. I tested it in my D2 since I don't have a card reader with me at the moment. Below is the output from the program:

Test finished without errors.
You can now delete the test files *.h2w or verify them again.
Writing speed: 4.65 MByte/s
Reading speed: 4.60 MByte/s
H2testw v1.4

A couple of tips for the flash verification tool usage. For a complete verification of the card, the card needs to be formatted and blank. The tool creates 1GB files and fills the card and then reads it back. If the card is full already you can try a verify only but if your suspecting your card is a fake I would suggest doing a write and verify. Also this program is writing and reading the entire capacity of your card. On a large card this can take a long time. The good thing is it estimates how much time is left.

lh_ · 05-27-2009, 02:26

You need a decent card reader to test card's throughput. D2 is a pretty poor substitute. I clocked a 32gb class 6 transcend at W: 10.3 MB/s, R: 18.x MB/s.

You can find a benchmarking utility h2benchw at heise.de as well.

ned7077 · 05-29-2009, 16:24

The H2testw v1.4 tool is specifically testing for verification that the stated capacity is the true read and write capacity. As long as my D2 can play the audio from my SDHC card I don't care too much how slow/fast it is (within reason of course).

ned7077 · 02-24-2010, 15:07

I found this article on the industry of fake memory cards.
http://www.bunniestudios.com/blog/?p=918

Ashe · 03-27-2011, 03:49

I recently bought a fake Kingston SD4 32GB card off of eBay where it was sold as being genuine.

It quickly became clear since I had skips in my D2 and on certain songs the player hanged itself. After a format on my Macbook obviously things went downhill. It corrupted each time after I removed it out of my D2 and wanted to put new music on it. Connecting the D2 with the card inserted on Windows 7 didn't allow me to format it etc.

Missing barcodes on the packaging, no LK, no "identification box" on the back of the package (the right box) and a white Lock slider instead of a yellow all made it suspicious. The eBay seller is positive he will refund my money but we'll see.

Speeds were horrible as well: below 2MB/s.

Anyway, if something sounds too good to be true, it typically is. :-)

CoCoBar · 12-06-2012, 20:15

I think Kingston SD4 is not a good choice. I bought a 16GB card three weeks ago. It does not work. Hope that no body supports Kingston.

05-22-2009, 09:15	#1
ned7077 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ellington, CT USA Posts: 115	How to spot a fake SDHC card I thought it might be good to post some links to information on how to spot a fake flash card and some fake flash information: Fake Flash wiki: http://www.overclockers.com.au/wiki/Fake_Memory_Cards Fake Flash news blogs: http://fakeflashnews.wordpress.com/ http://fakeflashnews.totalh.com/ Tool to detect if your flash card is a fake (Windows XP/Vista): http://www.heise.de/ct/Redaktion/bo/...2testw_1.4.zip Instructions can be found here. If anyone else has easier detection methods, known fake sellers, or more links please post them. Last edited by ned7077; 05-22-2009 at 09:20..

05-22-2009, 11:15	#2
ned7077 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ellington, CT USA Posts: 115	I have tested the flash verification tool for a 16GB Sandisk Ultra II SDHC card I bought from newegg.com. I tested it in my D2 since I don't have a card reader with me at the moment. Below is the output from the program: Test finished without errors. You can now delete the test files .h2w or verify them again. Writing speed: 4.65 MByte/s Reading speed: 4.60 MByte/s H2testw v1.4 A couple of tips for the flash verification tool usage. For a complete verification of the card, the card needs to be formatted and blank. The tool creates 1GB files and fills the card and then reads it back. If the card is full already you can try a verify only but if your suspecting your card is a fake I would suggest doing a write and verify. Also this program is writing and reading the entire capacity of your card. On a large card this can take a long time. The good thing is it estimates how much time is left. Last edited by ned7077; 05-26-2009 at 13:47..*

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

05-27-2009, 02:26	#3
lh_ Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 21	You need a decent card reader to test card's throughput. D2 is a pretty poor substitute. I clocked a 32gb class 6 transcend at W: 10.3 MB/s, R: 18.x MB/s. You can find a benchmarking utility h2benchw at heise.de as well.

05-29-2009, 16:24	#4
ned7077 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ellington, CT USA Posts: 115	The H2testw v1.4 tool is specifically testing for verification that the stated capacity is the true read and write capacity. As long as my D2 can play the audio from my SDHC card I don't care too much how slow/fast it is (within reason of course).

02-24-2010, 15:07	#5
ned7077 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ellington, CT USA Posts: 115	I found this article on the industry of fake memory cards. http://www.bunniestudios.com/blog/?p=918

03-27-2011, 03:49	#6
Ashe Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 3	I recently bought a fake Kingston SD4 32GB card off of eBay where it was sold as being genuine. It quickly became clear since I had skips in my D2 and on certain songs the player hanged itself. After a format on my Macbook obviously things went downhill. It corrupted each time after I removed it out of my D2 and wanted to put new music on it. Connecting the D2 with the card inserted on Windows 7 didn't allow me to format it etc. Missing barcodes on the packaging, no LK, no "identification box" on the back of the package (the right box) and a white Lock slider instead of a yellow all made it suspicious. The eBay seller is positive he will refund my money but we'll see. Speeds were horrible as well: below 2MB/s. Anyway, if something sounds too good to be true, it typically is. :-)

12-06-2012, 20:15	#7
CoCoBar Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 4	I think Kingston SD4 is not a good choice. I bought a 16GB card three weeks ago. It does not work. Hope that no body supports Kingston.