HD Install :: Problem with fsck on reboots

I recently installed DSL v2.4 on a CF card using an IDE<->CF adapter. It boots up and runs fine. On just about every reboot, however, it needs an fsck. I'm using the ext3 filesystem, and doing an additional sync before rebooting doesn't make a difference.

Once I've done the fsck and rebooted again, it comes up just fine. The next time I reboot, I have to repeat the process.

I've run Linux on all sorts of other systems before and never seen this. I'm wondering if this is something specific to DSL and/or using a CF card as the "hard drive".

Any suggestions?

The card denies umounting. Or is brutely shut of.

A traditional hard drive install on a CF is not good.
Card will not last long. Then using ext3, writing a journal onto CF even worst. I would not recommend this style of install on a CF.
Better to use a frugal type install for this combo.

by the way, what is a CF?
and how should there be difference in mounting between frugal and traditional?

original here.