Intermittent Card Reader Problem

[jim evans]

About one time in 5 when I insert a camera 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). The
connector has not been touched or moved in any way before this
happens. This condition has persisted through two computers, two
operating systems, two card readers and two card types.

Anybody know what causes this and how can I correct it?

jim

 

[Erick]

First, is the USB port 1.1 or 2.0? And is the reader 1.1 or 2.0? USB 2.0
devices in 1.1 ports can sometimes stop working until "reset" (ie: plugging
back in or rebooting).

Since it's happened on multiple computers and readers, it's also possible
that the contacts on the cards are dirty or failing. Try cleaning them with
a pencil eraser or 90% alcohol and a Q-tip.


About one time in 5 when I insert a camera 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). The
connector has not been touched or moved in any way before this
happens. This condition has persisted through two computers, two
operating systems, two card readers and two card types.

Anybody know what causes this and how can I correct it?

jim

 

[jim evans]

First, is the USB port 1.1 or 2.0? And is the reader 1.1 or 2.0? USB 2.0
devices in 1.1 ports can sometimes stop working until "reset" (ie: plugging
back in or rebooting).

Since it's happened on multiple computers and readers, it's also possible
that the contacts on the cards are dirty or failing. Try cleaning them with
a pencil eraser or 90% alcohol and a Q-tip.

The problem happend from the outset with both cards. I've had this
problem with all of these combinations:

Zeo card reader (USB 1.1)
SmartMedia card
Win98
SOYO SY-K7VTA Pro motherboard (USB 1.1)

Zeo card reader (USB 1.1)
SmartMedia card
XP pro
SOYO SY-K7VTA Pro motherboard (USB 1.1)

Zeo card reader (USB 1.1)
SmartMedia card
XP pro
ASUS A7N8X Deluxe motherboard (USB 2)

HEISEI card reader (USB 2)
SmartMedia card
XP pro
SOYO SY-K7VTA Pro motherboard (USB 1.1)

HEISEI card reader (USB 2)
SmartMedia card
XP pro
ASUS A7N8X Deluxe motherboard (USB 2)

HEISEI card reader (USB 2)
Compact Flash card
XP pro
SOYO SY-K7VTA Pro motherboard (USB 1.1)

HEISEI card reader (USB 2)
Compact Flash card
XP pro
ASUS A7N8X Deluxe motherboard (USB 2)

jim

 

[John McGaw]

About one time in 5 when I insert a camera 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). The
connector has not been touched or moved in any way before this
happens. This condition has persisted through two computers, two
operating systems, two card readers and two card types.

Anybody know what causes this and how can I correct it?

jim

When you remove a card from the reader, what procedure do you use? I've
found that when I installed my first reader I was using the "safely
remove hardware" procedure and every time I did there were problems the
next time I wanted to read a card unless I had rebooted in between. Now
I use the "eject" procedure, as if it were a floppy or CD, and there has
never been a problem. I, too, went through two different readers and a
handful of cards before recognizing the pattern and changing my ways.
There has never been a problem since.

 

[Erick]

Sounds like a possbile driver issue then. Get the latest chipset drivers for
your motherboard and see if that helps.

First, is the USB port 1.1 or 2.0? And is the reader 1.1 or 2.0? USB 2.0
devices in 1.1 ports can sometimes stop working until "reset" (ie: plugging
back in or rebooting).

Since it's happened on multiple computers and readers, it's also possible
that the contacts on the cards are dirty or failing. Try cleaning them with
a pencil eraser or 90% alcohol and a Q-tip.

The problem happend from the outset with both cards. I've had this
problem with all of these combinations:

Zeo card reader (USB 1.1)
SmartMedia card
Win98
SOYO SY-K7VTA Pro motherboard (USB 1.1)

Zeo card reader (USB 1.1)
SmartMedia card
XP pro
SOYO SY-K7VTA Pro motherboard (USB 1.1)

Zeo card reader (USB 1.1)
SmartMedia card
XP pro
ASUS A7N8X Deluxe motherboard (USB 2)

HEISEI card reader (USB 2)
SmartMedia card
XP pro
SOYO SY-K7VTA Pro motherboard (USB 1.1)

HEISEI card reader (USB 2)
SmartMedia card
XP pro
ASUS A7N8X Deluxe motherboard (USB 2)

HEISEI card reader (USB 2)
Compact Flash card
XP pro
SOYO SY-K7VTA Pro motherboard (USB 1.1)

HEISEI card reader (USB 2)
Compact Flash card
XP pro
ASUS A7N8X Deluxe motherboard (USB 2)

jim

 

[jim evans]

When you remove a card from the reader, what procedure do you use? I've
found that when I installed my first reader I was using the "safely
remove hardware" procedure and every time I did there were problems the
next time I wanted to read a card unless I had rebooted in between. Now
I use the "eject" procedure, as if it were a floppy or CD, and there has
never been a problem. I, too, went through two different readers and a
handful of cards before recognizing the pattern and changing my ways.
There has never been a problem since.

I was unaware there was an eject procedure. I see it now and will try
it to see if it fixes the problem. Thanks.

jim