While this has little to do with retirement, most people these days probably have a mobile phone, digital camera, pda and/or mp3 player. The removable memory cards which they contain can be problematic. Having had issues myself, I put up a MicroSD page on the R-A website a couple of years ago and it has been consistently one of the most popular, receiving some 150 hits every day – over 85,000 by May 2010 – so if you do have an issue with an SD or microSD card, you are most certainly not alone and may find a solution there! Read on, if you’re interested.
There are quite a few different types of card and format on the market, but most cell phones now use the ‘micro SD‘ format with a capacity from 128 Mb to several gigabytes. 2 Gb is common and probably enough for most users. In addition to the phone’s built-in memory, this will be enough for hundreds of photos, music files and video clips. Cameras and players will use the standard format with greater memory capacity, up to 32Gb or more.
This flash memory card is held in a slot either inside the device or accessible under a small flap on the casing. When you want to download files to a PC or laptop, there are several ways to do it. One is via a 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 method of file transfer is via Bluetooth – a wireless link between two compatible devices. Wireless LAN is yet another option for certain phones and network computers.
Perhaps the simplest way is to remove the microSD card from the phone and connect it directly to a computer. However, because the ‘micro’ SD is so small it needs to be placed in a standard SD card adapter (usually supplied with an SD card device). This can be inserted into the card reader found on many computers and notebooks today. Both internal and external multi-format card readers are also available from any computer store.
If there is no built-in slot or external card reader available, then a small, inexpensive USB adapter can be purchased and plugged into any empty port on the computer. It normally includes the adapter for the microSD as well. These inexpensive USB adapters come in different shapes and sizes, but on the right is a typical example, with the tiny SD card protruding from the standard SD card size adapter. Amazon in the UK sells a similar one for £1.50.
When this combination is put in a USB port, the computer should recognise it as an extra external hard drive and it will be allocated a drive letter such as G: – as seen on the left. It depends on how many drives are already in the computer, including the CD or DVD drive. The files will be visible in a file manager such as Windows Explorer, and can be copied or moved (to release space on the card) by dragging and dropping them to a folder on another hard drive or perhaps burning a CD for archiving purposes.
Unfortunately, many people encounter problems of one sort or another when trying to move files between their card and a computer (perhaps to transfer them to a larger capacity one), as well as formatting errors.
As it’s a bit long and rambling – even more than this post! – especially for someone looking for a ‘quick fix’, I will soon be sorting the information on the MicroSD page into sub topics and incorporating it here on the blog, where issues will be easier to identify. Readers will be able to comment and hopefully help others with similar problems.
Footnote: After using SD and microSD cards myself for several years now without many problems, I recently ran into some with two Kingston 4 Gigabyte standard SD cards (not micro), trying to use them as an easy way to transfer files between my desktop and the netbook I use when away from home or coping with mains outages – and I have yet to solve them. I will be discussing this as well.
For anyone who has lost media files on a flash memory card, especially photos, you may like to try the CardRecovery program I recommend on the R-A web page. You can download an evaluation version. This scans the card for files and there is a preview feature that lets you view and check what can be recovered before you purchase the software. If you can’t find what you want, it costs you nothing. Otherwise it’s $39.95.
Read the comments below. Contributors have also found some solutions and fixes to flash card problems.
NOTE: If you are posting a comment about a card problem, give as much detail as possible including the make and model of both the phone (or other device) as well as the memory card and its capacity.
By the way, Amazon has just introduced AmazonWireless, specializing in cell phones and wireless service plans. You can change or upgrade your present US cellular phone service with one of the latest Smartphones for as little as a penny – $0.01.
But shortly to become available is the GreenWin Network (formerly SQIP) free mobile call service which will work worldwide. This might be for you, whether you’re in the US or somewhere else!
how do you erase content on card. my phone wont give me the option and my computer wont ??
I need some more details about how you’ve tried to connect to a computer. What phone/card type is it?
why does it say to insert a disk into sd card
Where have you seen this message and what were you trying to do?
Please people, I can only help if you explain what the problem is!
What phone, SD card type and computer you are trying to connect to – or whatever.
Hi, I was wondering if you knew if the Nokia 6300 can support a micro SD larger than 2GB? I just got one the other day and was thinking of getting a 16 or 32GB card, but every review says that it can only support up to 2GB. Is this true and if so, why can it not support larger cards?
Ryan, I can’t say for sure as I haven’t tried it, but I think the answer is no. I don’t know the reason, but it may relate to the small built-in memory of the 6300 and the firmware.
I also found this link: http://forums.mobymemory.com/Topic5970-112-1.aspx
That is an old post, but the website sells SD cards and all the larger sizes don’t include the 6300 in the compatibility lists. Some will work in the 6301.
Hope that helps.
hi guys
I have got a problem synchronising contacts from 6300 to PCsuite.
It only copys contacts from the phone, not from its memory card.
I actually want to run all contacts from memory card.
Is there a bug or how do I do this?
thanks for help
I haven’t tried this. All I can suggest is you have the latest version of PC Suite and if you still can’t copy from the SD card, first copy the contacts to the phone and sync that way. Then remove them from the phone memory.
There may be some relevant info at: http://retireasia.com/blog/nokia1 See the last few posts.
That does not seem possible, but empty your computer’s Trash Bin before you connect the SD card and see what happens.
I need to connect and to adjust the camera of Nokia 6300 to my computer so as it will work as a webcamera
Dilshod, I think you’re out of luck. You have probably searched the forums as I have. The 6300 has Bluetooth but uses Nokia’s S40 operating system and can only run Java J2ME programs. There is webcam software for Nokia and other Symbian S60 phones, but apparently not for the 6300. Sorry.
A cheap webcam would cost less than a new phone!
hi, i have a problem with my micro sd card. i have 4 gb micro sd card. my card did not show full memory in phone and computer. it shows 1.8 gb space on any device. please tell me how can i repair my card? thanks. your obedient, Salman baig
Salman, there could be many reasons, but I suspect a faulty card or adapter. Have you tried using a different card adapter or reader? Try reformatting it, either in the phone or on a computer. Also make sure your phone can use that capacity. Not all can e.g. the Nokia 6300 has a maximum of 2GB.
As I have mentioned before, I bought two Kingston 4MB SDs (not microSD) at different times. Both have intermittent data problems in my laptop and PC, but seem to work in an mp3 player. Reputable brands have a manufacturer repair/replacement guarantee. You should try exchanging it.
Some good ideas you have here, but unfortunately none have solved my problem. I have two microSD cards (64mb and 1Gb) and one card adapter for my laptops SD port. Both microSD cards show up write protected when used with the adapter and laptop (they worked fine with the adapter a few weeks ago, now they don’t). I have tried all the tricks with halfway switching and taping over the entire switch slot. I even opened up the adapter to see what the switch is connected to and found its not mechanically connected to anything within the adapter which has me thinking its a sensor of some sort in the laptop not detecting the position of the switch. Knowing this do you have any insight or thoughts as to why my laptop only detects a write-protected card? Sorry for the long post.
Patrick
Patrick, I understand your frustration. I have a similar problem with my BenQ netbook, which also has an SD port. One day a few months ago, for no reason I could establish, it stopped recognising any SD card, or microSD with adapter. The alternative is to find a cheap USB-SD adapter (or external multicard reader) and see if that resolves the issue.
Thanks for your question and please report back.
Jon
I finally found a ‘fail-safe’ option for those of use who experience hardware mechanical failure within the card reader. I found a registry edit that disables write protection all together. This states it’s for USB, but it works for all removable media.
Source:
http://www.pegor.com/tutorials-how-to/mics-tutorials/how-to-remove-write-protection-from-usb-drive
^^^Read link first before going further^^^
If you use regedit, open its Export function to make a backup of your registry before editing.
[Editor note: These settings are for Windows 7; they do not apply to XP. See next comment.]
Open Regedit and navigate to:
1)HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\StorageDevicePolicies
If there is a WriteProtect key (REG_DWORD) then
1 = Write Protect On
0 = Write Protect Off
2)HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet00X\Control\StorageDevicePolicies
If there is a WriteProtect key (REG_DWORD) then
1 = Write Protect On
0 = Write Protect Off
***Do this for each ControlSet folder, how many you have may vary, I had 2.***
3)HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies
If there is a WriteProtect key (REG_DWORD) then
1 = Write Protect On
0 = Write Protect Off
Set to 0 and try (may have to reboot in some cases)
In my case, ControlSet001 had the StorageDevicePolicies folder, but the ControlSet002 and CurrentControlSet folders did not.
In my ControlSet002 and CurrentControlSet folders I had to create a ‘key’ named “StorageDevicePolicies” and within that a string named “WriteProtect” setting its value to ’0′.
Do this for each Control folder that doesn’t contain ‘StorageDevicePolicies’:
While the Control folder is selected
Go to Menu Option Edit\New\Key
name it: StorageDevicePolicies
Right-click the newly created folder select New\String Value
name it WriteProtect
Double-click on the newly created string and set its value to ’0′
I am assuming ControlSet001 is my administrator identity which was already set to over-ride the write-protection, so people may want to try and just use that instead of editing their registry.
I am running Windows 7 Home Premium by the way. From what I have read from others, these keys I had to create are present in older versions of windows automatically, and a value of ’1′ is only changed to a ’0′. And sorry, I am a mechanical engineer, so writing instructions for computer processes is not easy.
Thanks for that, Patrick, I’ll update the web page too.
Windows XP users will find there is no StorageDevicePolicies in the registry.
Instead, find
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\UsbStor
There you should see “Start”. Right click it and click on Modify. Change the 3 to 0.
As Patrick advises, it’s worthwhile reading the thread at the link in his comment, and be extremely careful when editing the registry; make a backup of it first.
No problem, feel free to edit the comment as you see fit. Based on what I have read on other forums, I am the first to suggest adding to the registry. I have noticed quite a few other posters complaining of the missing folders. As straight forward as I think this is, a lot of damage can be done within the registry, so people should be very careful when editing it. Stick to the instructions and do your research before attempting the fix if you have never used regedit before.
Patrick
i unfortuatley snapped my MicroSD card for my nokia 6300, is there any way i can still retrieve the files such as photos and voice recordings?
Probably not. How did you manage to do that?
long story. so there is no way at all, even if i sent it to a recovery place or whatever?
I just found a UK company that offers a data recovery service for SD cards, including snapped ones. Various options, and not cheap, but that is relative to the value you put on the data. Here’s the link: http://ug0.me/fixsd
memory card locked and to unlock forgotten password,
how to get it back. ?
thx b4
Without knowing any details of the card (or phone maybe), it’s impossible to help you. If I was looking for a solution I would search Google using keywords: lost password memory card [phone or device] [card type]. Then look in the results for anything that might match your problem.
ok my fone is acting up my fone keeps on saying that my memory card is no in the fone but it is wat is rong with my fone
No one can help you with so little information. Check the card’s files can be read on a computer.
If they can, then check a support site or forum for your phone model. Maybe reset the phone to factory settings.
Please sir, give me the solution how I can repair mobile cards sd mmc and more?
Sorry, Raja, I don’t know where you could learn how to repair memory cards. I have written about fixing some of the common problems I have found.
ok out of nowhere my micro SD card stopped working. It used to work b4. I have a 2GB Nokia micro SD card, I m using an adapter came with that card only. Today when I tried to put some songs in my mem card it is giving me some crap error “Write Protected”. I haven’t changed a single setting of my system or adapter.
1. Tried formatting card by phone which I manage to do but of no use. Still can’t write it
2. Tried formatting by PC but can’t. Giving same write protected error
3. Tried editing registry files as some1 mentioned here for XP but still nothing
4. Tried locking and unlocking that lock in adapter but no use
5. Searched internet about this kinda prob and found a solution of applying tape somewhere but I m not sure where as pic is nowhere mentioned
6. Even tried inserting and ejecting adapter many times
Plz help me some1 as I m confused y this write protected thing came out of nowhere
Kunal, I don’t know what the problem could be. Maybe the card, the adapter or the card reader you are using. Is it built in or USB? Perhaps try a different card reader. Also try another 2GB card. Even buying a new one (not Nokia) shouldn’t be expensive and it will come with its own adapter. If you can write to the new card, try copying the files across. If you still have the same write protect error on the PC, then try using a different computer and/or card reader.
Is your phone still under warranty? Even if not, you could take it to a Nokia service centre and have them check your card and adapter.
Good luck!
It has nothing to do with my phone coz in phone it is working fine… the error I m getting appears when I try to edit it from my laptop… I m not using any card reader… there is a build in slot for that adapter in my laptop… And I tried another card also but same probs… but haven’t tried another adapter… I know that might work but then I have to buy a new card to get an adapter
not sure but I think it’s some hardware probs… seems like adapter is permanently locked
Thnx for the reply tho… I guess only solution left is buying a new card/adapter
I would say it’s almost definitely the card reader. I have a similar problem with the one in my netbook. It worked perfectly for months before refusing to recognise that a card was formatted, but only on certain cards. And it still works intermittently. No problem when I used a cheap USB SD card reader dongle as shown on the R-A microsd page – under How to connect SD cards and USB devices to computers and notebooks.
Do you not know anyone nearby with a card reader you could try?
For anyone living in or with a friend in the UK who could post it (cheaper than direct delivery unless you’re buying other items), Amazon UK sells a single USB SD adapter for just £1.48.
Amazon.com in the US has a USB memory card adapter for multiple cards including SD, CF, MMC, xD, Sony Memory Stick etc for under a dollar!
Ya I have to do that only… gotta ask some friends for the adapter… and if that didn’t worked then card reader
I think the card reader is more likely to be the problem than the SD adapter. Try the card & adapter in someone else’s PC or laptop, using the built-in or an external card reader.
Sometimes re-booting is required to reset the USB ports before inserting a new device.
Sir,
my 1Gb micro sd card is locked. I am not able to format the card. The card came with nokia 3110 c.
I dont need the data. I just want 2 to use it again. I can provide any other info if required. Thanks
Regards,
ajay
Ajay, it seems many people have had this type of SD problem with the 3110.
You could try this (found at http://ug0.me/3110c):
“take out the memory card from your phone and format it in computer after that put it back in your phone and go to your phone setting after that go to restore factory setting use security code 12345 or 00000 then your phone will be restored and use it care fully next time”.
kenapa memori micro tidak dapat di baca oleh hp,tp sebelumnya dapat di baca oleh hp.di sambungkan dengan kom[puter dapat di baca tapi tak bisa di buaka yang ada komputer berkata windows was unable to complete the format
For the benefit of readers and myself, please write in English. Although I once lived in Bali, I don’t understand Bahasa Indonesia. Sorry.
Hi tried all of these things and believe it or not the one that worked was trying a different computer!!! My bf and I have the exact same laptop so I didn’t think it would work but it did so I think my card reader must be damaged or something. Thanks for all the advice you guys posted!
Thanks, Melanie; happy to help. I suggest you get the small dongle-type USB card reader, available in any computer shop that sells cheap Chinese peripherals.
simple and nice …thanks a lot
i have a memory but i cant put and thing on it because it is right protected how can i delet this protection?
Sorry, not enough information. What card and what hardware are you using?
hi sir i am having trouble with my mem card as i insert in my phone and pc it show an error that insert disk so sir kindly tell me how to solve this problem
Pranav, if you have the same error in the phone and the PC it sounds like a format problem or maybe a faulty card. You might need to replace it. What phone are you using? Have you tried formatting it in the phone?
i got a problem….i`ve bought to day a 2gb adata microSD card…i got an internal div. for readin cards…but when i put card on…and try to copy somethin it says Write Protected x.x..(i bought this card for an LG GT405 and on phone its workin but on computer no…i`ve read all forums…i`ve found but cannot fix the problem i hope you can help me:-s
It could be a faulty microSD-SD adapter which has the write protect slide switch. Try using another one or the fixes suggested on the MicroSD page at Retire-Asia.com.
It might be your internal card reader. Try an external one.
Have you tried connecting to a PC via Bluetooth or cable if supplied? That might work too.