USB SD Card Readers Problems - Please Help!

[OPJ]

Hello everyone! :) I've tried Googling several solutions to my problem already but, as I'm still struggling, hopefully someone here may be able to help...

 

I just bought a brand new SD Card Reader (eBay) to replace the other one I'd been using (again, eBay) which had suddenly decided to stop working properly. Basically, I'm unable to view my photo's on my PC and, even after buying a brand-new Fuji 1Gb SD card today, I'm still having problems.

 

I've tried uninstalling, reinstalling, etc... When I plug the device in, it usually starts blinking like mad. Sometimes it'll appear in Task Manager, sometimes it will appear as an "Unkown Device" - for which, apparently, not drivers are installed.

 

I've tried updating the drivers but a better match cannot be found, apparently.

 

When the device is almost working, and it appears as "Removable Drive F:/" in My Computer, when I double click on it I get an "I/O Device Error" warning telling me that "F:/ is inaccesible".

 

I'm pretty sure this isn't a problem with the USB ports. I've tried using different ports and I can directly connect my camrea to the PC to upload photo's succesfully - although, I used to find it much quicker with a card reader...

 

I've also used Windows Update several times but, to no avail. (Windows XP SP3) This problem emerged suddenly a few weeks ago, without warning.

 

I hope I've given enough information to give you some idea of what my problem is... If not, you only have to ask! :)

 

If anyone has any suggestions or ideas for me to try, please, get in touch!

 

Thank you for your time, your help would be much appreciated.

 

Olly.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Hi OPJ

 

Welcome to FPCH

 

Have you tried shutting down completely, inserting the card and rebooting.

 

This should then see the card.

[OPJ]

Hi Wolfeymole, thanks for your reply.

 

Just tried this now but, unfortunately, the problems persist. :(

 

It keeps disappearing/reappearing from My Computer and Task Manager every few minutes.

 

Task Manager is telling me that "no drivers are installed for this device" (SD/MMC Card Reader USB Device), under the Disk Drives heading.

 

I'm also getting the same thing for USB Mass Storage Device under the USB Controllers list.

[Dalo Harkin]

Do you have the device plugged into the USB ports on the back of the Motherboard? or are they plugged into a HUB?

did you get a driver disk with the device?

[OPJ]

Hi, yes, I'm connecting it in to the back of the PC with a couple of other USB devices. I actually run it off a short extension lead from there but, even when I connect it directly to the port, I still get the same problems.

 

There was no disc supplied, just the device itself. I've been browsing some stuff on Google regarding the device I have and apparently it should run okay without a driver...

 

My previous card reader also came without a disc and that was fine, initially.

[Seth]

I can directly connect my camrea to the PC to upload photo's succesfully

 

That means the card is fine.

 

Sounds like the reader is having a problem.

[mike]

Hi Olly,

 

Have you looked in Device Manager and checked if the card reader appears to be working correctly?

 

If you go to Control Panel -> System -> Hardware -> Device Manger

 

Locate your card reader and ensure that there are no yellow exclamation marks or question marks on the icon. Also you can right click on the reader and select properties. If all is ok it should say something along the lines of "Device working correctly"

 

If all appears to be working fine then as Seth said, I’d suggest that the actual reader is the problem. Perhaps you could borrow one from a family/friend member and try theirs. If you still can’t access your data from the card then obviously there is an issue with your configuration on the PC.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Mike

[OPJ]

Hi Mike,

 

There are no exclamation marks in Device Manager (although I do know what you mean). It's strange... Sometimes it tells me the device is working fine, or, Device Manager will re-load and it will now tell me there are "no drivers installed for this device". I've tried searching the 'net using the model number but, I can't find any. Neither can Windows Update.

 

That's a good idea, I will try it on another PC if I can't borrow someone else's, thanks. I'd be surprised if it is the reader though as it is brand-new and the other one has only recently stopped working correctly after a good two years.

[OPJ]

Hi guys, sorry for the long delay in getting back to this thread! I've not tried this card reader on another PC and it worked fine - so, I'm assuming now that the problem is with my PC. Neither the reader or its card are faulty.

 

Mike, any tips on checking the configuration of my PC/system would be very much appreciated.

 

Olly.

[Tootech]

Hi OPJ,

 

Have you had a look at the Microsoft troubleshooting guide for USB - here

 

Advanced troubleshooting tips for general USB problems in Windows XP

[OPJ]

Hi Tootech,

 

Thanks for your suggestion but, I've worked my way down that list and it hasn't gotten me anywhere, I'm afraid.

 

Any other suggestions would be very much appreciated though.

[Tootech]

Do you know the type of mainboard you have - or your computer make/model?

 

I've seen other USB devices do this type of thing, namely the old Voyager 105 ADSL modem. The problem there was that the modem draws 500mA of current from the USB port. 500mA is the maximum a port can allow.

 

Some boards will cut off USB power exactly on 500, thus switching off the port for a few seconds, losing it from device manager, then finding it again.

 

When that happens Windows beeps that hardware was removed and then beeps as it finds it again.

 

Does your card reader do that?

 

If you go into Device Manager, you can check the current draw for each USB device, can you see how much your reader draws?

 

It's only a guess, from the syptoms you have, considering your PC is up to date etc etc and everything else is ok.

 

Try having a look here:

 

USBMan - The Webs #1 USB and USB 2.0 Help and Information Site

[OPJ]

When I right-click on My Computer, it tells me this:

 

System:

Microsoft Windows XP

Professional

Version 2002

Service Pack 3

 

Computer:

mobile AMD Duron 4

1.30Ghz , 480 MB of RAM

 

That does sound quite familiar as the light on the device is not constant as I imagine it should be; it flickers or blinks on and off. Eventually, the light stays off. Task Manager also has to refresh itself regularly when this device is connected. My PC doesn't beep though, I probably have that de-activated.

 

I've check the USB Root Hub and it says my "USB Mass Storage Device" is using on 250mA from a maximum of 500mA. It is the only device on this hub. I have two other USB hubs, one of which is drawing 100mA for an "MT882" device and the other is drawing 0, with no device.

 

I'd like to add that I always have a Uniross charger for NiCd/NiMh batteries connect to my USB port at all times (except for I want to use my card reader...). As far as I'm aware, it still charges the batteries okay but, the indicator lights (to show the device is working) stopped working on it a few months ago. At first, they would flicker. Now, there's nothing. This started when I bought some new batteries to charge after my mum accidentally binned the other rechargables (...!!). To be honest, I think the new ones I bought are too powerful (1,000mAh each, the old ones are 700mAh). There's only enough room for two at one time but, I'm wondering whether this may have something to do with it all, since my old card reader stopped working some time after?

 

Thanks again for your ideas. I'll have a look through your latest link in the mean time. :)

[Dalo Harkin]

Are you using a powered hub?

If you are then they are reknowned for not working with devices - unplug the hub and try the device just in the port at the back of the MOBO

[OPJ]

Please excuse my ignorance but, what is a powered hub? :rolleyes:

 

This device is connected to a 500mm long USB extension lead which goes directly in to one of four ports in the back of the PC. I've tried connecting it with the lead and I'm not aware of any other ports on my PC.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

A hub is a similar type of thing as a 4 gang plug socket OPJ.

 

Like this where a single USB lead comes out of the back and into your pc, most are usually electrically powered.

 

http://salestores.com/stores/images/images_747/PAUH210U.jpg

[OPJ]

Ah, okay, thanks Wolfey - I thought it might be something like that! ;)

 

I mentioned the USB AA/AAA battery charger earlier and I don't think this is working any more. I use it with our wireless mouse (I hate the bloody things!!!) and I keep having to change the batteries every five minutes as they're flat (need re-charging).

 

I think the modem and printer are the other two items going in to the back of the PC via USB ports - they're both working fine.

 

I was going to try and re-boot in Safe Mode and have a go at one of the solutions on USB Man's site. Unfortunately, I can't get in to Safe Mode! The PC just seems to freeze some way down the list that appears on-screen...

 

There is one error with our machine that I've been ignoring for months. Each time the PC boots up, just before the Windows logo, a screen comes up saying there's an error with one of my hard drives (drive D:\, NTFS, etc.) and that it needs to be checked for consistency. I did try and let it run with the scan a few months back but, with four hours on the clock, it had only completed about 5% so, I've been ignoring it ever since! (Sorry, I reckon this one would warrant a new topic altogether ~ just wondering if you may think it could be relevant to my "growing" USB problems...).

[Guest Wolfeymole]

That D: drive is knackered OPJ and by all means make a new post on that, but back to the card reader I'd say that was shot too.

[Tootech]

Two ways round it, add a PCI USB 2.0 card to the back of your PC - much better at power maganement, or replace your card reader.

 

Sounds like you have done everything else possible.

 

Just for the record, drive D: will always be checked/scanned until it has been fully chkdsk'd, because there is a 'dirty volume' marker on the drive.

[OPJ]

Hmmm... I switched the PC just now and, for the first time in many months, there was no message warning me about drive D:\!! Very odd. Maybe it doesn't like being talked about!

 

Back to the card reader... I know now that it will work with another PC so, I may try a new USB card, as Tootech suggests. I imagine they're reasonably cheap to buy? Any suggestions on where I buy (brands to look out for?) one or should I just try eBay...?

 

Do you think it's possible that I've "fried" my current USB card by putting the wrong batteries in the charger?

 

Thanks for all your help, guys. :)

[Tootech]

I wondered if a fault has developed on the USB internal controller, but you have a modem running from it, which draws current, usually quite alot so I dismissed it.

 

Obviously, from your decription of the battery charger not functioning correctly and the USB hub, there may be a fault but without fairly expensive test equipment there is probably no way of knowing.

 

Have a look here for a selection of internal PCI cards:

 

USB / Firewire / I/O - USB Cards - Ebuyer

[OPJ]

Hi guys,

 

Just to let you know, I installed a brand new 2.0 PCI card yesterday and my card reader problems are over. Good old eBay, I went for one of the cards for two rear ports and four at the front for easy access.

 

Thanks to everyone for all your suggestions and advice, you've all been very helpful! :D

 

All the best,

 

Olly

[Tootech]

Excellent news......:)