Intermittent Card Reader Problem

jim evans wrote:
> I posted this problem a while back and no one knew the answer, so I
> thought I'd try again.
> ======================
>
> About one time in 5 when I insert a memory card into my card reader
> the computer does not recognize/see it. When this happens I have to
> disconnect the USB cable and reconnect it (sometimes twice), and
> occasionally I have to reboot. The connector had not been touched or
> moved in any way between times it works and times it doesn't. This
> condition has persisted through two operating systems (W98, XP), two
> computers, two card readers, two versions of USB and two
> cameras/memory card types (SmartMedia, Compact Flash) .
>
> Anyone know what causes this or how to correct it?
>
> -- jim

I don't know the cause, so I can only tell you my
experience. My card reader started doing that occasionally,
then more and more frequently. Only rebooting made the
reader work. I thought it was dirty contacts on the cards
or in the reader, or both, so I tried cleaning nternally
with jets of air and on the cards by cleaning with a pencil
eraser. No improvement. Finally bought a new reader - they
are cheap enough.
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On Sun, 10 Sep 2006 08:53:22 -0500, jim evans wrote:

> I posted this problem a while back and no one knew the answer, so I
> thought I'd try again.
> ======================
>
> About one time in 5 when I insert a memory card into my card reader
> the computer does not recognize/see it. When this happens I have to
> disconnect the USB cable and reconnect it (sometimes twice), and
> occasionally I have to reboot. The connector had not been touched or
> moved in any way between times it works and times it doesn't. This
> condition has persisted through two operating systems (W98, XP), two
> computers, two card readers, two versions of USB and two
> cameras/memory card types (SmartMedia, Compact Flash) .
>
> Anyone know what causes this or how to correct it?

Since this "problem" occurs over 2 different computers, 2 OS's,
etc., etc., it most likely not hardware or software related. I'd
guess, the problem lies with you and is a procedural one, that is, how
you're plugging and unplugging the cards, what you do when they are
plugged in, what apps that are still running and have a "lock" on the card
when you do unplug, etc., etc.

So, check your procedures to see if they comply with the operating
system's.

Stef
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"jim evans" <jimsTAKEOUTnews2.RemoveThis@houston.rr.com> wrote in message
news:mj58g2h6mqmellhftkr03mcbi60mi6c58s@4ax.com...
>I posted this problem a while back and no one knew the answer, so I
> thought I'd try again.
> ======================
>
> About one time in 5 when I insert a memory card into my card reader
> the computer does not recognize/see it. When this happens I have to
> disconnect the USB cable and reconnect it (sometimes twice), and
> occasionally I have to reboot. The connector had not been touched or
> moved in any way between times it works and times it doesn't. This
> condition has persisted through two operating systems (W98, XP), two
> computers, two card readers, two versions of USB and two
> cameras/memory card types (SmartMedia, Compact Flash) .
>
> Anyone know what causes this or how to correct it?
>
> -- jim

I would try another USB cable. You just need to go through a process of elimination.

Adam
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jim evans wrote:
> On thing that becoming clear from these replies -- this isn't a
> common
> problem. That's what makes it so strange I've had it under all
> these
> conditions. ????
>
> -- jim

I had a similar set of problems with a factory built-in reader. Since
it was not consistently a problem I couldn't depend on
one-change-at-a-time as a solving strategy. It seemed to me that the
one activity that most often resulted in the hoped-for performance was
inserting the card, making an unsuccessful attempt at reading the
card, removing it, and trying again.

It eventually became such an onerous routine i did buy a new reader,
solving that problem. The next was: the new reader wouldn't see a new
2GB card. Another, newer reader solved that one.

It's always something.

--
Frank ess
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jim evans wrote:
> On Sun, 10 Sep 2006 14:23:38 -0400, Marvin <physchem DeleteThis @cloud9.net>
> wrote:
>
>
>>Finally bought a new reader - they are cheap enough.
>
>
> And that fixed the problem?
>
> -- jim
Completely.
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On Sun, 10 Sep 2006 19:16:13 -0500, jim evans wrote:

> On Sun, 10 Sep 2006 14:44:13 -0700, Stefan Patric <tootek2 DeleteThis @yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>
>>I'd guess, the problem lies with you and is a procedural one, that is,
>
>>how you're plugging and unplugging the cards,
>
> There are slots the card fit snugly in and one simply pushes the card
> until it seats. The method appears to be the same for all card
> readers I've seen. I can't see how one can insert cards in different
> ways.

I knew I should have qualified that statement. What I meant was do you
plug the card into the reader, and then plug the whole assembly into the
computer? Or do you plug in the reader, then plug in the cards? And with
removing the cards: Do you just remove the card and leave the reader
plugged in, or do you remove both at the same time, or do you leave the
reader plugged in all the time and plug in and remove the cards only?
That's what I meant.

You should plug in the reader first, then plug in and unplug the cards,
and when all done, if you desire, unplug the reader. I leave mine plugged
in all the time.

>>what you do when they are plugged in,
>
> I use batch files to copy the image files from the card reader to my
> hard drive and they work exactly the same way every time. But, after
> inserting the card if one looks at the "drive" they're in, nothing is
> there.

You use a batch files? Commandline, right? Or do you use the "RUN"
command from within the GUI? Have you used this same script for both your
systems, and both OSes, and both readers, etc? This script may be the
commonality among all the variables. Try not using it (them) for a while,
and use a file manager instead to see if your problem persists.

Another thing: What utilities does your batch file call when it copies
off the card to the hard drive? Does the script also erase or delete the
files on the card? These called commands may be causing the problem. Or
there could be a conflict between those commands and the OS "unmounting"
or "unlocking" the card when everything is done.

>>what apps that are still running and have a "lock" on the card when you
>>do unplug,
>
> I run no apps related to the card reader except the batch file which
> completes and unloads.

The batch file may unload, but the commands it calls could be the culprits.

>>etc., etc.
>
> Don't know what this might be.

Neither do I. That's left as an exercise for you to do. You're closer to
the problem.

>>So, check your procedures to see if they comply with the operating
>>system's.
>
> Where would I find the procedures for the XP Pro related to card
> readers?

RTFM and Help files. That's where I learned everything I know about
computers. That and making lots of mistakes.

Good luck...

Stef
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