SD Card Problem

murphydavid

When I put 4GB SD cards directly into the SD slot on my desktop computer or into the SD slot on my lap-top I either get the message that it is not formated or it just can't be seen by the computer. I have tried this with 3 brand new cards of different makes. They work fine in the camera and if I use a usb adaptor I can download the photos onto the lap-top but not onto desk top. If I try formating them using the lap-top they never work again. I only tried this on one and had to take it back to the shop and get another. Both computers are as installed by the manufacturer. One is windows XP and the other is Windows Vista. I find it hard to believe that both computers have developed the same one fault. Or that 3 new SD cards had the same fault. Or that they make SD cards that don't work. So do I have a jinks or what is going on?
By the way I'm just a PC user so any help - Lay man friendly
Thanks
Oh and 1GB cards have no problems at all.

warehouse

I have a similar issue with my Dell desktop system. I have to put the SD card in fully, then slightly pull it back out again, (about 1mm back), then it seems to work perfectly. Try it.

I wonder if it's a bad batch of SD card readers that are slightly out of specification?

murphydavid

I will give that a try at some point. Can't do it at the moment because I no longer have a 4GB card. Took both my new ones back to the shop and the other one I tried was not mine. Been scared off, so I may not buy any more.

Toxteth_OGrady

I would guess that either your card reader driver needs updating or the cards you had were not formatted as FAT32 or NTFS (needed for 4GB and above).

kwikbreaks

There are two standards - SD and SDHC.

More modern kit supports both SD and SDHC. Older kit only supports SD.

Many 4GB cards will be SDHC - if so they will be marked as SDHC and that is probably what your problem is. The solution (if you need one) is to buy a USB card reader that supports SDHC.

luci

Yes I agree. Some pc's can't read SDHC cards (high capacity).

murphydavid

This is all very helpful. Thank you very much now I know what to look out for. I expect I was trying to use a SDHC card in an SD card reader. Can't be sure because I took the card back but will look at it again when I get back to the shop. I shall buy an SDHC to usb adaptor / reader and format to FAT32.
Thanks