---
tags: ATA Flash, PCMCIA, PC Card
image: https://i.imgur.com/88TDwJE.png
---

# PCMCIA ATA Flash PC Card imaging using OmniDrive

*The best source of information for utilizing the OmniDrive and the PC Card Manager software it comes with is the documentation that the device comes with — starting with the comprehensive help system contained in PC Card Manager'* ``"Help"`` *menu.*

***

A copy of this document is [available online](https://hackmd.io/@synchrotech-inc/SJXbVFysr).

## [I. Checking the OmniDrive](#checking)

A quick way to determine if the OmniDrive, its drivers, and PC Card Manager are working is to

- Open PC Card Manager
- Insert an ATA Flash PC Card into OmniDrive
- Select `Menu: "Tools -> Analyze Card"`


Here, we used a 64MB ATA Flash PC Card, so the values populating the fields in the "ATA Card" section will likely look different than those you are deploying. What's important is that the fields are filled in with values. If there are issues, see the **[begining of this document](https://synchrotech.tumblr.com/post/133489641659/quick-start-using-an-omnidrive-usb-lf-with-pcmcia)** for instructions on checking the OmniControl utility to ensure that all the drivers and software packages are installed correctly.

## [II. Creating an image of a card](#create)

To create a byte-for-byte image (binary image) of the ATA Flash PC Card:

1. Open PC Card Manager and insert an ATA Flash PC Card into OmniDrive
2. Select `Menu: "Actions -> Copy -> Card to File(s)"`


3. Click `"New"` in the `"Copy Jobs"` section


4. Under `"Source; File"` click the ellipse `"…"` character


5. In the `"Save As"` dialog perform the following:

- navigate to where you want to store the binary image in the `"Save in:"` pop-up
- type an appropriate file name with the extension '.bin' in the `"File name:"` field
- change `"Files of type"` pop-up to `"BIN files"`
- click `"Save"`

6. For your purposes we **do not** need to change the default settings. Under `"Source"` the following attributes will be preset:

	"Memory Area" = Common

	"Start Address" = 0

	"Size" = Auto

7. Click `"Copy"` in the bottom of the `"Copy: Card to File(s)"` dialog. A progress indicator will appear.


8. When completed, a checkmark will be under `"Copy Jobs; Address" `


## [III. Writing images to cards](#writing)

The process for writing images to cards is very similar to the process above.

To write a byte-for-byte copy of a binary image to the ATA Flash PC Card:

1. Open PC Card Manager and insert an ATA Flash PC Card into OmniDrive
2. Select `Menu: "Actions -> Copy -> File(s) to Card"`


3. Click `"New"` in the `"Copy Jobs"` section


4. Under `"Source; File"` click the ellipse `"…"` character

5. Change `"Files of type"` to `"BIN files"` and locate the file created in step II.5 above.

6. Click `"Open"`. Like step II.6 above, there is no need to change the default values. Here, the attributes will be under `"Target".` They should read the same as discussed above:

	"Memory Area" = Common

	"Start Address" = 0

	"Size" = Auto

7. Under `"Options"` select `"Write with verify"` and click `"Copy"`. A progress dialog appears.


8. When complete there will be a checkmark in the box left of `"Source file"` under `"Copy Jobs"`. You may now eject the current PC Card and insert a new card.


9. You can click `"Copy"` for all subsequent cards, and `"Cancel"` when you are done.

***

## Compares

A compare function, much like `cmp` in Unix, is available to check cards to binary images. The process described in the document [OmniDrive: Comparing .bin files to Linear Flash images](https://synchrotech.tumblr.com/post/134874328099/omnidrive-comparing-bin-files-to-linear-flash) would be the same for ATA Flash as it is for Linear Flash.