Using Memory Card Explorer to Copy Individual Files to a Memory Card

Elan's documentation for Memory Card Explorer (MCE) isn't always clear. We have had many customers ask how to copy individual files from their Windows systems to PCMCIA PC Card memory devices via MCE. This document is intended to illustrate the process. We used the following cards to demonstrate this task:

Figure 1: MCE default Screen (click for larger view)

Figure 2: MCE default Screen (click for larger view)

PCM-LFWS2D-A08 Synchrotech 8MB Linear Flash With Attribute Intel Series II
PCM-SRW-NM001 Synchrotech 1MB PC Card SRAM No Attribute Fixed Battery

Some quick information about MCE using figures 1 and 2. The line of text information just under the menus, and just to the right of the 'SLOT' selection button (the grey icon with a red arrow labeled slot) lists the current inserted memory card. In this case it is an Intel Series II Linear Flash PC Card listed as 'Slot 1, Flash Series 2, 8M byte, 16 bit data'. The 'SLOT' button to the left of that information line toggles between PC Card slots if the host computer has more than one slot.

The line of text information just under the slot/card information line and just to the right of the 'File Select' button (the blue floppy disk icon) is the currently selected file information line. This file can be binary image file representing a memory card image (.bin), or an individual file of any type. MCE defaults to the test.bin file that comes with the software package. In the default case it lists 'File: c\elanpccard\memory card explorer\data\test.bin'

To copy a file to a PCMCIA PC Card memory device using MCE, click the 'Write' button (the rightmost last grey circular button with the upward point arrow -- see green circle B in figure 2). However, this is where most end users are confused. They want to know how to change the file listed in the currently selected file information line, since it is the file slated to be written to the memory card. This can be achieved in either one of two ways, listed in order of increasing difficulty below.

Figure 3: MCE write dialog (click for larger view)

Using Drag and Drop to change currently selected file

The easiest way to change the select file for writing is via drag and drop. Located the file you want to write to a memory card in the 'Windows Explorer.' Drag and drop the file onto the B region circled in green figure 2. The currently selected file information line should change to reflect the path of the file just dragged onto MCE. To write the file to the memory card click the 'Write' button (the rightmost last grey circular button with the upward point arrow -- see green circle B in figure 2). After clicking the 'Write' button, The Windows will throw a Warning dialog saying 'About to overwrite memory car in slot 1 (or 2). See figure 3 for this Warning dialog. If you are certain you want to overwrite the memory card with the file you selected, click the 'OK' button. This process is summarized as:

Drag a file to the B region circled in green in figure 2
Double check file path in selected file information line
Click the Write button
Answer overwrite dialog with OK to complete write figure 3

Figure 4: MCE select file dialog (click for larger view)

Using Select File Dialog to change currently selected file

Another way to change the selected file for writing is via the standard Windows 'Select File Dialog' to navigate to the file. To open the Select File Dialog, click the 'File Select' button (the blue floppy disk icon), the A region circled in green in figure 2. The Windows Select File Dialog, as seen in figure 4 allows navigation and selection of a file to write to the card. You may need to change the 'Files of type:' popup menu on the bottom of the dialog to reflect the type of file needed. The default is for binary files (.bin), selecting All Files shows files of other types. The currently selected file information line should change to reflect the path of the file just dragged onto MCE. To write the file to the memory card click the 'Write' button (the rightmost last grey circular button with the upward point arrow -- see green circle B in figure 2). After clicking the 'Write' button, The Windows will throw a Warning dialog saying 'About to overwrite memory car in slot 1 (or 2). See figure 3 for this Warning dialog. If you are certain you want to overwrite the memory card with the file you selected, click the 'OK' button. This process is summarized as:

Click the File Selection button pictured in the A region circled in green in figure 2
Use the standard Windows Select File Dialog to locate and select the desired file
Double check file path in selected file information line
Click the Write button
Answer overwrite dialog with OK to complete write figure 3

SRAM, Linear Flash, MCE, Memory Card Explorer

Using Memory Card Explorer to Copy Individual Files to a Memory Card

Using Drag and Drop to change currently selected file

Using Select File Dialog to change currently selected file

Links