RestedGal: Cleaning Data Cards

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 1:32 pm

Hey, RG, I swear I remember your suggesting to someone that they could clean their data card but I can't remember if you said just a rag dampened w/water or w/alcohol.

My card has acted up a few times the last month or so. Put it in my Elite and it will say Card Error - Remove Card. Or when I insert it in the reader and try to download it doesn't recognize the card. Usually I can just remove the card and reinsert it and it will work. But today .... today being the day it is, of course, I reinserted in FOUR times in the Elite and ... no dice. Card Error. So I used my data card from my Vantage. No big deal. But, altho I can buy a new card, why if just cleaning it will do the job?

I've been downloading w/this card for some 275 nights or so w/some 2000 hours on the Elite so it doesn't seem like the card should be worn out.

billbolton · Post by **billbolton** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 2:56 pm

Slinky wrote:just a rag dampened w/water or w/alcohol.

Get a soft pencil eraser (not an abrasive one) and rub it over the contact area of the card. It should come up shiny/bright after a few passes. Then wipe down the contact area with Isopropol Alcohol (or Methylated Spirits for those outside the US).

Slinky wrote:I've been downloading w/this card for some 275 nights or so w/some 2000 hours on the Elite so it doesn't seem like the card should be worn out.

The ResScan card is basically a standard contact Smartcard, just in a different physical form factor to suit its particular purpose. It should normally be good for at least 3 years of service life (which would involve numerous insertions in readers on a daily basis) as that is the banking requirement for the technology.

Cheers,

Bill

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 4:06 pm

Bless you and thank you, BillBolton. I sure appreciate the help!

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 5:26 pm

Slinky wrote:Hey, RG, I swear I remember your suggesting to someone that they could clean their data card but I can't remember if you said just a rag dampened w/water or w/alcohol.

Was someone else, Slinky. Catnapper, perhaps? I've never posted anything myself about cleaning a Smart Card, but like you, I remember reading that at some time.

Anyway, Bill took care of ya.

John_M · Post by **John_M** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 5:44 pm

rested gal wrote: ....
Was someone else, Slinky. Catnapper, perhaps? I've never posted anything myself about cleaning a Smart Card, but like you, I remember reading that at some time.

There is something on the Sleep Apnea Wiki which needs updating with Bill' suggestions.

John_M

billbolton · Post by **billbolton** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 6:26 pm

John_M wrote:There is something on the Sleep Apnea Wiki which needs updating with Bill' suggestions.

I've added a message, based on my reply to Slinky but expanded a bit to make sense in the context of that thread, to "the best way" link on that wiki entry.... viewtopic.php?p=220674#220674

Cheers,

Bill

Catnapper · Post by **Catnapper** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 7:06 pm

Yes, RG, I did post about this.

Here is the link to the thread.
viewtopic/t18909/Smart-Card-error-8004020D.html

I think I was just lucky.

Catnapper - Joanie

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 7:40 pm

Ahhh, we have such innovative geniuses in this forum!!! (((hugs))) to all of you!

John_M · Post by **John_M** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 7:43 pm

billbolton wrote:
John_M wrote:There is something on the Sleep Apnea Wiki which needs updating with Bill' suggestions.
I've added a message, based on my reply to Slinky but expanded a bit to make sense in the context of that thread, to "the best way" link on that wiki entry.... viewtopic.php?p=220674#220674

Cheers,

Bill

I have changed the article from "best way" to "thorough way" and changed the link. I have also included the "soft cloth" technique as well. My concern with the "thorough way" is that people will think they have to go out and get a Stadler white eraser pencil in order to get data off the card

Will this work for everyone?

John

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 4:09 am

John_M wrote:Will this work for everyone?

If oxidation is their problem & done properly, it should. Does one size fit all?

Electronic contacts have a very thin film coating which can build an oxidation coating (from time to time) which can interfere with electron flow causing things to not work as designed. Gently using a clean pencil eraser will remove this oxidation returning things to their normal state (working). While excessing rubbing will remove the "very thin film coating " causing more trouble.

A pencil eraser IS an abrasive. Try it on a old tarnished coin to see the scratch marks which can result. Avoid using an old dried out eraser that will leave smudge marks on a piece of paper. A clean cloth may be enough to remove some oxidation.

***STATIC IS NOT GOOD FOR ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS.***

I have been using the pencil eraser method for years with good results. People think you're some kind of magician.

Like ALL things in life - MORE does NOT mean better.

Life is all about balance.

j.a.taylor · Post by **j.a.taylor** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 11:55 am

rested gal wrote:
Slinky wrote:Hey, RG, I swear I remember your suggesting to someone that they could clean their data card but I can't remember if you said just a rag dampened w/water or w/alcohol.
Was someone else, Slinky. Catnapper, perhaps? I've never posted anything myself about cleaning a Smart Card, but like you, I remember reading that at some time.

Anyway, Bill took care of ya.

catnapper wrote:Yes, RG, I did post about this.

Here is the link to the thread.
viewtopic/t18909/Smart-Card-error-8004020D.html

I think I was just lucky.

Catnapper - Joanie

Slinky,

We just all know that Rested Gal's so smart, and she's posted so many things, that we sometimes forget about the other smart people on this forum (like Bill and Catnapper). If it's good advice, then it must have come from Rested Gal.

Pretty quick, we'll see the Presidential Candidates quoting Laura (RG). Hey! Maybe we could get her to run for President. We know that her platform would include good sleep care for everyone.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): clean, Smart Card

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): clean, Smart Card

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 3:41 pm

Oh, I never forget BillBolton and DSM and .... there's so many who have shared such good tips. Its just that I was so SURE it was RG who had posted that one. So much for "my" memory!

j.a.taylor · Post by **j.a.taylor** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 6:46 pm

Slinky wrote:So much for "my" memory!

You have one of those memories too.

I tell everyone, "If I don't write it down, or put it in my laptop, it ain't happenin'."

Because I certainly can't count on my brain. I've always been a bit airheaded at times.

RestedGal: Cleaning Data Cards

RestedGal: Cleaning Data Cards

Re: RestedGal: Cleaning Data Cards

Re: RestedGal: Cleaning Data Cards

Re: RestedGal: Cleaning Data Cards

Re: RestedGal: Cleaning Data Cards

clean the card

Re: RestedGal: Cleaning Data Cards

Pencil Eraser

Re: RestedGal: Cleaning Data Cards

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Airmini, Medistrom Pilot 24, CMS 60C Pulse Oximeter, ResScan 6