Problem with recognizing SD card

[JamesV]

As the title states I am having a problem recognizing a SD card on my computer. So the store behind it is this, it's my buddies and it seems like his dog bit it. There are no holes in it but a few dents in it from the dogs teeth. He said that there are picture on it that have not been saved yet.

The camera does not recognize it and neither does my computer. My computer consists of a built-in card reader that reads my CF card just fine.

So, is there any way for the pictures to be saved or is the card now a table level device.

Thanks in advance for any help.

James

[Rocket_Scientist]

What happens when you put the card in the reader? Do you get a message suggesting it is unreadable? Or does the computer react like it was just a piece of wood? If the PC recognizes it as something that used to be read, there may be a recovery program on the 'Net that can help. If not, I think the shots are lost.

[SmartWombat]

There are at least three different kinds of SD card.
SD version 1, SD version 2, and SDHC.
I have a card reader that wont read version 2 or SDHC.
Well had, it's now in the scrap bin

Just because your computer will read CF cards doesn't mean it will read his SD card.
I picked up a USB card reader for $8 at Frys - that reads every card I've got.
It may be worth trying a different card reader.

[JamesV]

RS,

There was a pop up message about the drive where the card was located. I will try to get the card tomorrow and see exactly what it is.

SW,

That can be a problem then, I didn't even think about it. I will see if I can get his camera and my gf's since hers also takes a SD card. I will try either reading the card in the camera itself and connection the camera to my computer. I will also be out tomorrow and see if I can pick up a card reader, if it doesn't work still I can always take back the reader.

Thanks for the help.

James

[Dougjgreen]

There are at least three different kinds of SD card.
SD version 1, SD version 2, and SDHC.
I have a card reader that wont read version 2 or SDHC.
Well had, it's now in the scrap bin

Just because your computer will read CF cards doesn't mean it will read his SD card.
I picked up a USB card reader for $8 at Frys - that reads every card I've got.
It may be worth trying a different card reader.

SDHC is a completely different spec. Almost every card reader that's more than around 3-4 years old won't read them. I bought a 4 GB A-Data SDHC class 6 card that came with an SDHC and SD compatible card reader. Total cost of the card, the card reader, tax and shipping, was $12 on ebay.

[Rocket_Scientist]

...
Just because your computer will read CF cards doesn't mean it will read his SD card.
I picked up a USB card reader for $8 at Frys - that reads every card I've got.
It may be worth trying a different card reader.

It would be nice if the whole problem was the computer card reader could not handle the capacity, but that would not explain why the camera can no longer read it--I am assuming it DID work in the camera at one time. Anyway, for capacity incompatibilities, another option is to get a flash drive ... hmmm... what's the word?.. wrapper? holder? converter? ...anyway... a contraption to hold the SD card and make it into a USB drive. Apparently, even on computers with older card readers, the USB can still recognize the higher capacities.

[freygr]

I have had larger SD card which would not read in an older card reader as they were too big. But if his dog bit it most likely a IC or the PCB is physically damaged (broken) and to fix the card it will have to be disassembled to fix a broken trace if a IC is broken it's is history.

[flyhal]

Is there an new driver for the IC card reader so it can read cards larger than 2 gb? Mine reads up to 2 but is not recognized with a 4 gb SD card.

Hal

[SmartWombat]

It's not usually a driver issue, it's the card reader hardware.
I've replaced two in the last year.

The one built into my Dell monitor is useless now (SD only not SDHC), and the Vosonic VP2160 (SD only not SD~HC), and I have two multi-card readers that are only useful for CF cards now I've gone totally SDHC 4GB and up.

[byjamesderuvoDHQ]

Physical damage is physical damage. It doesn't have to be a hole in the card to cause it.