There are quite a few types on the market from manufacturers such as Kingston and SanDisk, and they come in different capacities; several gigabytes are common on today’s new phones and tablets. For many, this extra memory functions as part of the system, without needing setting; they may not even be aware of the card or its features. But problems can arise when the card is nearly full and files need deleting, transferring to other storage, or replacing the current SD card with a higher capacity one.

Having had issues myself, I created a Micro SD page on the R-A website several years ago. Since then it has been consistently one of the most popular, receiving hundreds of hits every day – over 85,000 by 2010 and over 180,000 by 2012. There’s no doubt that many have problems and card failures; there are numerous forums where people post, including phone and card manufacturer support sites.

Two common problems:  microSD file transfer & Nokia phones with password-locked cards

1.  If a microSD cannot be recognised by a computer (read, write, format etc), it may not be the card itself but a microSD to SD adapter typically needed for it to fit in a standard size card reader slot. The adapter usually comes with it. This is the first thing to check for a fault. Try using a different adapter (Kingston seem to have dud ones); better still, get  a USB reader with a Micro SD slot for $3.50; in the UK for £1.40.

2.  Nokia phones with locked microSD cards that need a password for access (happens suddenly without user intervention). Retrieving or removing the password depends upon the model. Some Nokias have an “MMC store” folder; copy this to a computer and open with Notepad to find the password. Reformatting the card (losing all content) allows a new password e.g. 1234 to be set if needed.

Ways to copy/move files between SD cards or transfer to and from a computer

There are different options for working with files. One is with the USB cable supplied with the phone and used in conjunction with a software program also supplied by the manufacturer. e.g. Nokia Data Suite. Another is Bluetooth – a wireless link between the two, as also is WiFi. If you have a built in or USB card reader, removing the microSD card from the phone and connecting directly to a computer is easiest.

Some card readers now accept a micro SD card directly (see above); previously it needed a micro to standard size SD adapter often but not always supplied with a micro SD purchased separately and often the cause of problems, one of which is the write protect switch (on the adapter – the micro SD does not have this).

Whichever way you connect the card to a computer,  a file manager such as Windows Explorer should see an extra external hard drive . The drive letter (G in the image) depends on how many drives are already in the computer, including the CD or DVD drive.

The card’s folders and files (not always all of them) will be visible too and can be copied or moved by dragging and dropping them to a folder on another hard drive or perhaps burning a CD for archiving purposes.

Sometimes they are hidden or copyright-protected by the manufacturer and other means are needed to move or copy them. See our main MicroSD page for how to copy all SD card content to another location.

Due to the sheer scope of this topic, and the different problems that users experience, the web page  is long and rambling – even more so than this post – especially for someone looking for a ‘quick fix’. When I find the time, I will sort the information into categories and incorporate a summary on this blog, where issues will be easier to identify. Readers can also comment below and see answers which hopefully help others with similar problems.

NOTE: Before posting a problem with your SD card, PLEASE visit the MicroSD page at Retire-Asia.com. There are a lot of things you can try and tools you can download and use; most are free.

If you cannot find a solution there, (or you have found one and want to help others) you are welcome to post a comment. BUT you must provide the make and model of the phone, camera or other device, the card type (SD microSD, SDHC, SDXC etc), brand name and capacity (Gb) of the card. Describe the nature of the failure and the procedures you have already tried to fix it with the tools offered here or elsewhere.

Don’t comment “My card doesn’t work, I’ve tried everything; what can I do?” and expect an answer, but if you don’t see your problem listed here, below in comments, or on the R-A MicroSD page, then I am probably going to suggest you replace the card under warranty if possible, go to a phone service centre or ‘byte the bullet’ and just get a new SD card! They are pretty cheap now.

The only problem is, a lot of them can’t afford to retire fully yet as they still need to earn money. Many will think they can simply move and open or buy some sort of business: a shop, restaurant, bar, guest house, even hotel. However, there’s quite a bit more to it than that. I know from my own experience!

“How to Start a Business in Bali” is a well- researched and written business guide by Bali entrepreneur Mike Henry. It’s 100 pages of fact without any attempt to disguise the truth. The reality is not all ‘doom and gloom’, however, as Mike has included in-depth interviews with several other successful Bali expat business owners, each from a different field of endeavour. This gives added invaluable insight into the topic. He also provides a list of resources essential for anyone planning on living and working in Bali.

Having lived on the exotic Indonesian island myself, about five years ago now, and trying to do just this, I also know the potential pitfalls. I wish I had had a  guide to work from at the time, as not a lot has changed regarding bureaucracy – something SE Asia has a wealth of, especially when foreigners try to start a business in Bali or, for that matter, somewhere else.

Quite simply, you need to know the local rules and follow them. It’s not only about starting and running a business, it’s interacting with the resident population, even if your customers are likely to be other expats and tourists.

And speaking of other expats in Bali, this is quite a strange community. Other foreigners living in the same place as you are not necessarily going to become friends. In fact it can be the opposite. There’s a lot of competition in some types of business, and you need to be careful not to tread on the wrong toes.

I would say this is the de facto (if not the only!) guide to opening a foreign-owned business in Bali or other location in Indonesia. This inexpensive pdf ebook is a ‘no-brainer’ for anyone thinking of going into business anywhere in Southeast Asia.

Learn more about “How to Start a Business in Bali“. Buy and download it for just US$25.00 by PayPal or credit card. Well worth it in my opinion, as it could help save you from financial ruin!

Read reviews on our website or at Amazon – Retire to Southeast Asia! is on their US and UK sites.

Kindle publications can be also be read on computers, tablets and smartphones – but you knew that, didn’t you?

More Kindle Books on Asia

I am from an older generation and feel this is a bit of a pity; it takes away most of the surprise and destroys the ability to discover something new and different – “been there, done that, got the t-shirt” etc. With today’s printed and online travel guides, Google Earth and GPS plus Apple and Android apps. Now there’s really nowhere on earth that remains undiscovered by satellites if not tourists. Everywhere you go, hordes of “fellow travelers” have been there already and reported it in minute detail. How sad is that?

Laos has been a bit of a late starter in technological and industrial terms compared to nearby Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore – not to mention ‘Big Brother’ China. However, digital communications have been seen as something of a priority and much of the country is quite well served by mobile phone operators and to a lesser degree (due to less local demand) internet providers, with both government and private enterprise involved.

Some of the ADSL, GPRS, EDGE, 3G, HSPA, WiFi and 4G Mobile WiMax services are soon to be extended outside the capital Vientiane by Planet Online and Lao Telecom to cover parts of other provinces.

For tourists and short time visitors LaoTel has possibly the best overall coverage in Laos, although Unitel provides higher 3G speeds. Of the other two main operators, ETL has been a late starter, its 3G NET service only beginning on August 31 while Tigo (now Beeline) has made no announcements regarding 3G. All offer 2G GPRS and EDGE as a fallback if UMTS 3G is not available. When travelling around Laos, it’s wise to carry SIMs (phone and/or data) from more than one provider. Refill cards for all companies are available country-wide.

Read more on the  Retire-Asia.com Lao Communications page which is updated regularly. There’s mention of Chinese-made Android WiFi/3G tablets, costing a fraction of the Apple iPad or Samsung Galaxy, and seen everywhere. $100 or so is not a lot to lose if your “ChiPad” fails. Note that WiFi and ADSL/LAN may work, but the 3G USB feature is for Huawei modems. Laotel, Unitel and ETL all sell ZTE MF190 dongles, which won’t.

Note that only unlocked USB 3G modems and quad band phones can be used in any country.

A related topic is electronic banking.  Cashpoints or ATMs have been around Laos for several years and are seen in a growing number of locations, not only in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, but in most provinces as well.  See Retire-Asia’s Lao banking page for more detail of banking facilities available in the Lao PDR. Exchange rates for main currencies are updated regularly.

*****

Fortunately, from my personal dealings over four years now with this British-based bullion exchange, I can confirm that BullionVault is not a scam! Endorsed and recommended by the World Gold Council, full members of the London Bullion Market Association, BullionVault also won the Queen’s Business Award for Enterprise: Innovation in 2009.

I’m pleased (but not surprised) to see that what has been written about their operation is all good and it’s all true and scam searches reveal nothing negative. I’m also glad that more and more Internet users are becoming aware of the many scams out there; their suspicion and awareness might well save them from losing a lot of money.

In 2007, I opened my account at BullionVault which is UK-based but keeps its (and its account holders’) bullion in Via Mat’s vaults in the US, UK and Switzerland; account funding is via Lloyds Bank UK which also has US and European  facilities for international clients. I quickly learned how to use the trading system and began accumulating some gold, and later when they began offering it, London silver. See below the consistent price rises in that time alone.

BullionVault’s 25,000 funded account holders own over 22 tonnes of gold worth over $1 billion, plus $163 million worth of silver, all stored in Via Mat vaults in either London, New York or Zurich. This makes it the world’s premier direct gold ownership organisation. Client accounts are subject to independent daily audit of every gram of each bar and the names of registered owners are attached. Members buy, sell and trade gold and silver among themselves at the full spot market price (often better) in either USD, EUR or GBP.

All new accounts at BullionVault.com are credited with a free gram of gold, now worth over $50, £30 or €36 (or a gram of silver). Fees are very low: $4 a month storage for gold ($8 for silver which takes up a lot more space!) and 0.8% per transaction – much less than trading stocks or forex with a bank or broker (and the inherent higher risk of loss).

Since opening it in 2007, my account balance has risen significantly every year, due to the continuously rising prices – as well as from additional purchases. According to most ‘experts’, gold and silver prices will continue rising against the US dollar and other main currencies for the foreseeable future.

For me, it’s a ‘no-brainer’. I can sell a portion at any time and could immediately remit the proceeds to my bank account, but I usually leave cash in the account, ready to buy again on a temporary price correction. For those who don’t mind some risk, this can be a lucrative form of trading. But buying and holding is fine too.

I would advise anyone opening an account to fund it as soon as possible, simply to be ready to buy when the price has dropped, as it often does before going on to new highs. No one likes paying ‘top dollar’. However, there is a risk that if you wait too long for a lower price, you may get left behind and have to buy at a higher price than you expected!

For me, the BV charts are an excellent source of historical gold and silver prices and how they have risen over various time periods, from minutes to hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and over recent years. Here’s an example of a BullionVault live data chart for gold over the past 5 years to 11 August 2011 and below is the same for silver.

In addition, account holders can earn modest commissions by referring others. For example, if someone I refer buys or sells $2,000 worth of gold or silver at the spot market price, they pay $16 (0.8%) for the transaction; my own account is credited with $4 by BV. It’s not much but it’s enough to pay my gold storage fees for a month. Anyone who opens an account (even before it’s been funded) can do the same. Visit the website to see how.

The main reason I buy gold and silver is for its future value in currency terms rather than protection from the financial ‘Armageddon’ forecast by some. That gold bullion is mine legally, and with a sufficient quantity I could even take delivery of it  in the unlikely event of the whole global banking system failing. It’s somewhat comforting to know that, even though it’s a worst case scenario and not in my thoughts at this time!

Here are silver prices over the past 5 years in US dollars, having risen by 300%:

The BullionVault operation is explained in detail on their website which includes a sophisticated but easy-to-use 24/7 online trading platform and of course the charts. There are no trading hours as with most other exchanges, including forex. However, best prices are usually found when the financial markets are active around the world.

How to open an account at BullionVault.com

Sign up simply with your name and email address. Immediately receive a gold or silver gram to try out the system by selling it if you want. When you are ready, add funds from a bank account to buy more gold or silver bullion. You will need to confirm your identity (online) before withdrawing funds to the same bank account.

I rate and recommend BullionVault highly from my personal experience with this company since 2007. See examples of my own orders; the R-A Bullion Page has more information on gold and silver investment.

Other ways to hold precious metals

Not everyone wants to own gold and silver in this manner. Some prefer to be in actual physical possession of it or keep it in a safety deposit;  others like to display their precious metal bar and coin collections or move them easily between countries. Precious metals cost more to buy in this form and they cannot be traded as easily, but for long-term investment it’s a simple and popular method of investing in bullion.

Reliable sources include Amazon.com who offer a wide range of silver and gold coins and bars, from a few dollars to several hundred or more. These items make much-appreciated (as well as appreciating in value) gifts, especially in these times of economic uncertainty.

With professional forex coaching and trading education, including an understanding of risk and its management, steady profits from forex trading are achievable – even for a novice trader, providing they have been taught using a reliable, proven manual system or trading technique.

Forex robots are promoted willy-nilly, make the whole forex thing seem easy, but very few of them work at all and in inexperienced hands (defeating the object of the exercise: making something complicated work on autopilot) trading live accounts (real money) with forex robots or EA’s as they are also known, is a recipe for disaster.

To introduce his latest innovative trading system and comprehensive forex training course being released later this month, Bill Poulos, one of the Forex trading community’s most seasoned “veterans”, has made a video which explains what’s behind his Forex Profit Multiplier training course and trading system which also provides signals by email or SMS (text) to users wherever they may be in the world.

For the past year Bill  has been working diligently in his “trading lab” coming up with a solution to some of the most-asked questions from traders trying to make a success of their trading. Top of the list is “How can I make more money in less time, even if I’m not a technical Forex geek?”

To address this properly, Bill had three major challenges. He wanted to find a way to shorten the time needed to actively find and manage the highest probability, lowest risk trades, give the trader total control to see these trades to completion; a third essential was to include continuous protection for the trader’s portfolio.

After a lot of research and testing, he’s now ready to demonstrate the way to multiply profit potential in highly lucrative markets in 60 seconds or less of active trading.

Watch the video in which Bill reveals his new forex course and system.

The “secret weapon” behind his discovery is a custom piece of intelligent software that cost over $20,000 to develop; it can predict with a high level of accuracy which way any of the 6 major Forex pairs are headed in the next 8 hours.

This is NOT a robot or EA (expert advisor) or other chart  “plug-in”, but a complete, step-by-step approach to trading that’s unlike anything seen before.

The Forex Profit Multiplier trading system is one that virtually any forex trader can use, regardless of experience. Plus, it easily fits into a busy schedule because it requires just 60 seconds here and there throughout the day to place and manage potentially profitable trades.

Take a look at Bill explaining the Forex Profit Multiplier system and see it in action.

In early 2000 gold was about $250 an ounce or $8,000 per kilo, so Paul’s personal ‘hoard’ was worth about $100,000. I’ve since lost touch and he may have bought even more, but anyone who had 12 kilos (26 pounds) of gold today is sitting on over $500,000 – half a million bucks!

I calculatedthat this equates roughly to a return of 17.5% p.a. tax-free (with no risk assuming he kept it in a safe deposit box). This would have been difficult if not impossible to achieve in the light of low interest rates over the past few years. He could have invested in real estate or invested the $100,000 in stocks and shares, but there would be no guarantee he wouldn’t have lost a good portion of his wealth one way or another.

Fast forward 10 years from now to 2020. If you invested $100,000 (maybe just 10% of your portfolio or million dollar retirement fund) in gold bullion today – at over $1,300 an ounce or $42,000 per kg – it will only buy about  2.5 kilos, but if prices keep rising as they have for the past twenty years, you will have half a million or more dollars in 10 years time, too. It’s pointless to say that gold is too expensive today, as the future potential gain is the same. Actually it’s probably a lot higher. The point is it’s almost certain that the price will not drop, except temporarily, and that is an opportunity to buy more at a slightly better price.

I began buying gold a little over 3 years ago, and I only have a small amount, but I’m very pleased I have it. I don’t wear it round my neck or even keep it at the bank. I use BullionVault and I’m writing another post that explains why I think it’s the safest way to hold gold and silver bullion for future wealth protection. I’m doing this because although it’s quite easy to confirm that this is no scam operation, there seem to be quite a few people worried that it might be and search Google every day on this very topic.

In the meantime, you can visit the Scams and Bullion pages on the Retire-Asia.com website.

Realistically, there are very few people who couldn’t find a use for extra income these days. Even the so-called rich probably have less than they had a year or more ago, and it worries them as well.

Everybody wants to be financially secure, especially when they can’t work anymore. When you’re old and grey, and your health and mobility begin to deteriorate, it’s difficult getting a job. In fact today you might only have reached your forties – the ‘prime’ of your life – and be unable to get a decent, secure position in the business sector. You’re ‘over the hill’ already. It’s likely, with the rising cost of living and expensive health care of senior citizens, you might find it difficult to make ends meet with the money you have right now. The future may be even worse.

However, you can earn extra retirement income no matter how old you are. Are you nearing your retirement age and haven’t saved anything yet? Are you already a senior citizen receiving a paycheck that you won’t be able to live on indefinitely? Are you a young professional who wants to save for your retirement – starting now?

If you are any of the persons described above, then it isn’t too late. There are dozens of way you could earn a little (or quite  a lot!) of extra income, and they don’t all involve the internet, although working from home online is perhaps the easiest way. Men and women (especially stay-at-home moms) of all ages are doing this. Why not you?

Download a free report which shows you many different ways you could be making money from home and how to go about it. These are not the usual get-rich-quick scams, but real freelance jobs; get paid cash for editing and proof-reading documents, managing others’ web pages and sites, writing articles and much more.  The good news is there are a lot of online business opportunities today that don’t require start-up capital, but they will require some time and effort on your part. However, the rewards are worth it. You won’t want to attempt all these different pursuits, but just find one or two that interest you or you have some previous relevant experience, and you can soon be on your way to another source of income.

There are several differences between conventional ‘bricks and mortar’ businesses and working online. Marketing over the internet is not the same as selling ‘face-to-face’. It’s actually a lot easier and far cheaper to set up. Most people don’t like to be involved with business opportunities that require them to hound people who are not interested in their products. However, over the internet, that doesn’t need to be the case. People can choose to ignore your advice and delete your emails without embarrassment on either side!

One way of promoting yourself or your service or products (or those of others) is by having a blog or website full of interesting information on a topic that is popular. It’s not difficult to identify these ‘niches’. Provide readers not only with information, but solutions to their problems in the form of a service or a product they can buy indirectly through you, and for which you will earn a cash commission from the vendor – who takes care of the order and payment etc. You have no worries about that, and your commissions arrive regularly by check or in your bank account.

This way of doing business means customers coming to you instead of you trying to find them. Do this right and you really can make a lot of money. Affiliate marketing is possibly the easiest way to make money online. However, there is a learning curve and success doesn’t come overnight, in spite of what some slick internet marketers try to sell you!

Apart from blogs and websites, you can send emails to prospects and market your products to them that way, but you have to be careful about email marketing. You don’t want to be tagged as a spammer. How many spam emails in your Inbox each day does it take to make YOU angry? What you must do is build a list of potential customers and there are easy and legitimate ways of doing this without resorting to underhanded tactics such as spamming.

Whenever you promote your service, you have to be very wary about infringing on people’s personal privacy. It’s a fine line sometimes, but if you have their permission in the form of a confirmation that they will accept messages from you, then they cannot accuse you of being a spammer. You can also try to sell to family and friends, but it’s not a good idea as it puts obligations on people who may want to support you, but cannot really afford to.

There are many ways to attract business and custom from people whom you will never know or need to have direct contact with – if that’s what you prefer – but the more personal approach definitely has its advantages if you can establish a good online ‘persona’ and credibility. Learn more at Affiliate-Projects.com.

However, if you’re looking for something different, then download the free report I mentioned above. Even if the internet is not really ‘your thing’ except as a source of information, there are many different ways you can begin earning money from home, starting today.

The Tiger Woods saga may have not much relevance here at Retire-Asia, but it possibly  illustrates one of the many differences between East and West culture. Maybe he’s been expecting the ‘best of both worlds’ and being able to be with other women – and get away with it.

Well, he didn’t. On August 23rd, 2010 the Woods were divorced, with a settlement believed to be about $100 million. That’s a high price to pay even for the richest golfer in the world for his affairs with those multiple mistresses (not to mention the money he paid some of them for their silence). His game has suffered too. Poor old Tiger. Let’s hope he’ll learn from this and go on to further success.

Talent and exposure bring publicity and fame. Fame brings money. Money should buy ‘the perfect life’, right? Well, apparently not – and not while living in the USA and under the global media spotlight.

Tiger’s problems and his probable realisation by now that money doesn’t buy happiness or everything you want in life, may lie in his ethnic background.  As is well-known, his family background includes both Thai and Chinese connections on both parents’ sides.

While it’s not acceptable in the West, in Thailand and Laos at least, it’s quite common for a married man to take on a second wife known as a mia noi or small wife, although technically they cannot be married. Monogamy is the law in both countries. He may have more than one mia noi and father their children.

A Thai or Lao man cannot do this without the financial means to support both his spouses. Money is definitely part of the ‘arrangement’ which is usually with the knowledge and (not always) tacit acceptance of the man’s mia yai (big wife). Both women will expect compensation in some form or other.

They don’t usually all live under the same roof, but it can happen with the agreement of the first wife. She may be bored with taking care of her husband’s needs, both in and out of bed, and is happy for someone else to do that. She may even have a boyfriend, but that is usually not made public.

One advantage of this East-West cultural difference is that the children do not suffer unnecessarily from the upheaval of divorce and the loss of one parent – sometimes due to a single infidelity on the part of their father (usually) or mother.

Extramarital affairs of the rich and famous are always hot news.  Tiger may have been forgiven for ‘just doing it’ once maybe, but apparently there are now SEVEN women with stories to tell (or sell).

He’s left himself wide open for derision and food for the tabloids and TV talk shows.

Will he ever live this down, one wonders? Not yet, by all accounts.

A word of warning for the foreigner or expat – farang – living in Thailand and especially the Lao PDR and married to a local woman. You will definitely not get away with this type of behaviour. Someone, perhaps in authority, is likely see it an opportunity for making trouble and/or money.

1. #1 for government debt and deficits
2. #1 for unfunded liabilities, most importantly Medicare and Social Security
3. #1 for building and maintaining the biggest WMD stockpile in the world
4. #1 for weapon sales to foreign governments
5. #1 for bombs dropped and missiles fired on other nations
6. #1 for causing civilian casualties and property destruction
7. #1 for “defense” spending – about as much as all other countries combined
8. #1 for lawyers per capita, with over 1.1 million total
9. #1 for law suits filed – millions and millions every year
10. #1 for political lobbyists, special interest groups and campaign donations
11. #1 for taxpayer bailouts of the politically connected “too big to fail” corporations
12. #1 for people imprisoned.

Is there a way a law-abiding, tax-paying US citizen can avoid the cost of all this and stop paying taxes every year to the IRS – no matter what country he or she is living or earning money in?

Only by formally giving up US citizenship and living in another country with a non-US passport.

Is this possible and practical? It certainly is, and even if you’re not considering such a drastic step, you should at least be aware that not only is it possible, there are hundreds of former US residents that do this each year (a threefold increase in 2009 on 2008) by becoming citizens of other countries. Admittedly the number is a fraction of the estimated 7 million Americans already living abroad, but it is rising. Most do it for tax purposes as US citizens, even resident outside the US for years, can never escape the clutches of the IRS – unlike those of most other countries.

A former US citizen has just published a 26-page report which details exactly how he went about renouncing his US citizenship and why it might be the right move for you, depending on several factors, including your net worth. It will probably surprise you.

However, there are other, less drastic ways to preserve your wealth and pay less taxes – and remain a proud American citizen.

Download the report free here and share it with your friends. It’s well worth reading.