How do I mount a compact flash card?

[blackbelt_jones]

I have a built-in reader, and it appears to be hooked up properly. But I suddenly realize that I don't have a clue how to get started. I'm used to using kdiskfree to mount removble media, and that doesn't appear to apply here.

[Hayl]

when you connect the card to the reader, a scsi device node should get created in /dev

usually /dev/sda1 unless you have other scsi devices attached.

you can add a line in your /etc/fstab file for it, the filesystem module for these cards is usually fat.

there are some additional kernel modules for flash cards that may be required to be loaded before the card will work... in the usb section of the kernel config.

[Uranus]

Since it's built-in I don't think you need stuff from the usb section. I think you only need the second one, but maybe you'll need the first one as well. For me they only work when compiled as modules (though I use a usb reader).
<M> SCSI device support
<M> SCSI disk support
<M> SCSI generic support

My line for a flashcard (usb) in /etc/fstab is:
/dev/sda1 /mnt/flash vfat noauto,user 0 0
Yours is most likely vfat as well.

HTH
Sam

[blobaugh]

i have a builtin sd reader on my laptop. will the steps you mentioned work for it as well?

[Uranus]

Yes, compile the SCSI things as modules, then:
ls /dev > dev1
[PUT IN FLASH CARD]
ls /dev > dev2
diff dev1 dev2

This overly complicated way _does_ show you which device your flashcard is - if it lists sda sg sg0 you should choose sda as the device to mount, if it lists sda sda1 choose sda1
(as in "mount -t vfat /dev/s* /mnt/mountpoint", where * is the device defined above)
HTH
Sam