Understanding and Managing SIEMENS S7 MMC Cards: Functions, Formats, and Recovery Techniques

Question:

Hello everyone, over the last two weeks I have been studying the function of S7-31x MMCs. After my research, I discovered that SIEMENS MMC cards ranging from 64KB to 4MB are essentially standard 16MB MMCs with a unique SIEMENS format. You can find the datasheet for these cards at the following link: http://www.tischer.cz/HB28D032MM2-RENESAS.pdf. Additionally, 8MB SIEMENS MMCs are equivalent to 32MB MMCs. To create a bit copy of these MMCs, you can utilize tools available at http://personal.telefonica.terra.es/web/suwein's standard MMC/SD card reader. This process not only copies the data but also retains the special SIEMENS format. It's worth noting that non-SIEMENS 16MB or 32MB MMCs cannot be used in S7 devices due to the private CID and CSD registers, which store crucial information such as OEM/APPLICATION ID and PRODUCT NAME. A sample of the SIEMENS 64KB MMC can be found here: http://www.tischer.cz/64kb.txt. The CID is an OTP register, and the first 14 bytes of CSD are programmed exclusively by the manufacturer. S7 verifies and cross-references the stored information from CID and CSD. In the event that you accidentally format a SIEMENS MMC in a standard MMC/SD card reader/writer (e.g., as FAT format), you can rectify the issue using the same reader/writer: 1. Read the original SIEMENS MMC with S7imgrd (equal in size to the faulty card) 2. Write this image to the defective MMC with S7imgwr During my analysis of MMCs, I also discovered the method in which passwords are stored on the MMC. If you have any inquiries, please feel free to email me at [email protected]

Top Replies

Hello, I am attempting to set up an operation using an MMC card, but I have not been successful. The MMC card, specifically a 64kB card, is able to read and write data successfully. However, the PLC does not recognize the MMC card. I believe the issue may be related to the format of the MMC card. - Bojan

Hey there, here's a helpful troubleshooting method: 1. Begin by scanning the image on the original card. 2. Next, transfer this image to a different card. 3. Now, scan the image on the different card. 4. Finally, compare the images on both cards. If the images match, kindly share the image from the second card along with its part number for further analysis. Looking forward to resolving this for you. Best regards, Petr.

MMC Card Recovery: Step-by-Step Guide Apologies for the mistake in the previous description. If you are looking to create an exact copy of your MMC card or need to repair a damaged MMC card, the WinHex program is recommended. Here is a detailed procedure to follow: Step 1: Read the original MMC card in two stages. View images of the process here: - View the first step at http://www.tischer.cz/mmc1.jpg - View the second step at http://www.tischer.cz/mmc2.jpg - Additional resources: http://www.tischer.cz/mmc3.jpg, 64KB image http://www.tischer.cz/64KB.zip, 8MB image http://www.tischer.cz/8MB.zip Step 2: Write the original image onto the failed MMC card. Follow these steps: - Step one: http://www.tischer.cz/mmc4.jpg - Step two: http://www.tischer.cz/mmc5.jpg - Note: Be cautious if you encounter the following notice: http://www.tischer.cz/mmc5.jpg. It warns against using S7imgrd and S7imgwr as they do not provide an accurate bit copy of the MMC card. For further assistance, feel free to contact Petr at [email protected]

Is it possible to utilize RS-MMC in place of the standard MMC? Explore the compatibility and benefits of using RS-MMC cards for your electronic devices.

In the Rs MmcIn S7 device, a special MMC card is required with unique records in the CID and CSD registers (http://www.tischer.cz/64kb.txt). However, for backups created using WinHex (not meant for S7 use), any MMC or RS-MMC can be used.

This is fascinating! It's really interesting how specific formats like SIEMENS' can make such a difference in compatibility. Your insights on the CID and CSD registers highlight just how crucial those manufacturer-specific details are. I'm curious, have you tried the imaging tools yourself? How user-friendly are they for someone who isn't very tech-savvy? Also, I'd be interested to know more about how passwords are stored on the MMCs you mentioned—sounds like there might be some intriguing security implications there!

Thanks for sharing such detailed insights about the S7-31x MMCs! It's fascinating how specific the requirements are for these cards, especially with the unique SIEMENS format and the importance of the CID and CSD registers. I hadn’t realized formatting in a standard reader could cause issues—good to know that there's a recovery method! Have you had any experiences with accessing data from these cards, or any tips for troubleshooting common errors?

Thanks for sharing such detailed insights! It's fascinating how the proprietary design of SIEMENS MMCs can create compatibility issues with standard cards; that definitely sheds light on why certain tools are needed for data recovery. The process you outlined for recovering data from a formatted MMC is super helpful—I'll keep that in mind if I ever run into issues. How did you come across the information about the password storage on the MMC? That sounds like an interesting aspect worth exploring further!

More Replies →

Streamline Your Asset Management
See How Oxmaint Works!!

âś…   Work Order Management

âś…   Asset Tracking

âś…   Preventive Maintenance

âś…   Inspection Report

We have received your information. We will share Schedule Demo details on your Mail Id.

To add a comment, please sign in or register if you haven't already..   

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

FAQ: 1. Can non-SIEMENS MMCs be used in S7 devices?

Answer: - No, non-SIEMENS 16MB or 32MB MMCs cannot be used in S7 devices due to the private CID and CSD registers that store crucial information specific to SIEMENS MMCs.

FAQ: 2. How can I recover a SIEMENS MMC if accidentally formatted in a standard MMC/SD card reader?

Answer: - You can recover a SIEMENS MMC by reading the original MMC with S7imgrd and then writing this image to the defective MMC using S7imgwr.

FAQ: 3. Where can I find a sample of the SIEMENS 64KB MMC?

Answer: - A sample of the SIEMENS 64KB MMC can be found at http://www.tischer.cz/64kb.txt.

FAQ: 4. How are passwords stored on SIEMENS MMCs?

Answer: - The method in which passwords are stored on SIEMENS MMCs is discussed in the thread, and further inquiries can be directed to the author via email at [email protected]

Ready to Simplify Maintenance?

Join hundreds of satisfied customers who have transformed their maintenance processes.
Sign up today and start optimizing your workflow.

Request Demo  â†’