Reading 256Mb SD Card on WinXP

[RikD]

Slightly OT, but don't know where else to turn...

I've now gone through several card readers and none can seem to read my 256Mb SD Card!!!

I've tried
Smartdisk 6 in 1
Typhoon 6 in 1
Belkin F5U148 (8 in 1) (2 days old!)

The Smartdisk would destroy the data on the card, but the others won't even read it. I keep getting I/O errors and the drive is in accessible.

I'm beginning to wonder if I'm missing something in my Windows installation.

Any ideas, or recommendations?

Thanks,
RikD

[krispy]

Does it still work on your ?? palm? If so, it is definitely an install problem. If not, then you may need to format your card first.

[RikD]

Should have said... Have formatted the card on my TT3. With the exception of the Smartdisk reader I can always still use the card on my TT3 afterwards.

I tried formatting on all 3 readers. All crap out with errors.

If it's an install problem, must be my copy of WinXP as all the readers don't install any drivers for winXP stating it comes with them....

Haven't reinstalled XP, but may just have to try again.....

RikD.

[n2ifp]

What are you formatting them at? Do NOT use FAT32!!!

Usually, it's always best to format using the device, than the desktop PC.

I use a Dazzle USB2 reader and it works great. Reading the SD card is very fast, writing is slow though, but that's the Toshiba SD card.

Try your readers on a different system. It should be just Plug and Play. Make sure your NOT going through an external multi-port USB Hub. Try a differnet USB port on the PC. Ports can go bad and/or be flaky. Static electricity(ESD) can destroy ports too!!!

[krispy]

Don't believe what the M$ windows says on the install; install the drivers that come with the reader...

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by krispy
Don't believe what the M$ windows says on the install; install the drivers that come with the reader...
Both the 6-1 Dazzle and the 8-1 Sandisk didn't come with XP drivers. They both were Plug n' Pray...

The two Sandisk units gave up the ghost for my brother and I. IMHO, the Sandisk readers are a total piece of junk.

[RikD]

As n2ifp experienced - none of the readers came with XP drivers. The belkin reader did install something for formatting the cards, but no actual drivers from what I can see.

Am going to try installing on my laptop which has win2k installed on it. Hope I have more luck.

RikD.

[krispy]

Originally posted by n2ifp
Both the 6-1 Dazzle and the 8-1 Sandisk didn't come with XP drivers. They both were Plug n' Pray...

The two Sandisk units gave up the ghost for my brother and I. IMHO, the Sandisk readers are a total piece of junk.

Not to be offensive, but Sandisk is low on the price list, and I don't need to say what that means... As far as the Dazzle, did the box say XP workable? (I am presently using both a Maxell 6 in 1 and an IO Data reader/writer on XP and 2000 with no problems.) and they both came with XP drivers...

[HandyGuy]

Originally posted by RikD
Slightly OT, but don't know where else to turn...

I've now gone through several card readers and none can seem to read my 256Mb SD Card!!!

I've tried
Smartdisk 6 in 1
Typhoon 6 in 1
Belkin F5U148 (8 in 1) (2 days old!)

The Smartdisk would destroy the data on the card, but the others won't even read it. I keep getting I/O errors and the drive is in accessible.

I'm beginning to wonder if I'm missing something in my Windows installation.

Any ideas, or recommendations?

Have you tried a "System Restore" to earlier date on your PC, next a "Repair" from your XP Operating or Recovery disk. and as last resort the dreaded image (factory) restore?


Thanks,
RikD

[theDoc]

have been using the lexar multi-card with XP (both directly and through a hub) with no probs (plug and play, no 3rd party drivers). have tried with lexarSD256, sandiskMMC64, SonyMS64, LexarMS128.

[Galley]

Always use Lexar brand cards and readers if you want to avoid headaches.
http://www.lexarmedia.com/

[RikD]

I'm curious...

Has anyone managed to read a 256Mb card on an older USB1.1 Reader?

So far I've only tried USB1.1 - but the ones mentioned above are all USB 2 readers?

And finally - an update. Same problem with USB1.1 on Win2k and WinXP - reinstalled XP and no joy.

RikD

[lcars8467]

I hope some of you can help me, I just bought a Zire 71 working great but the included cardreader doesn't seem to work fine. When I try to open the drive, most of the time explorer crashes while the green led keeps flashing!! Anyone knows what might be the problem here?

OS: winxp pro

Greetz
lcars8467(AT)hotmail[DOT]com