Memory Card Reader/Writer - - Strange Problem

[mbroumbe]

I'm running W2k with 1.5MB memory, Parallel laser printer, USB Epson Stylus Color 925 printer, USB HP ScanJet 5370C, USB Prime Film 1800u Film Scanner, USB Microsoft Trackball Explorer, USB Logitech 4000 Webcam, a mouse-port connected scroll mouse, and a USB Zip250.

My digital camera is a Sony Mavica model which uses mini-CDs. I can copy pictures from the mini-CD to my Hard Disk.

The Epson printer contains slots for a CompactFlash, Smart Media, and Memory Stick. I purchased a SanDisk ImageMate SDDR-75 USB Reader/Writer and a Kingston Technology 256MB Compact Flash Card.

My logic was to copy the pictures that I placed on my Hard Disk to the CompactFlash, stick the CompactFlash into the printer and print directly to the printer from the flash card instead of using the computer.

The problem is that I cannot transfer files to the Compact Flash from within Windows. The curser changes to an "No" icon, a circle with an upper left to lower right slash within.

I can, however, transfer any file from my Hard Disk to the CompactFlash if I am using W2K's command prompt interface!

Once I have files on the CompactFlash I can copy and/or move them to my Hard Disk while in W2K. I don't have to use the command prompt.

My Smart Card Service is "Started" and "Automatic."

Can anyone supply a solution?

 

[CamaroLT]

I don't think the readers have caught up to the cards themselves yet.

We've had a customer in here who had spent an easy $1500 on just digital camera equipment. He had a 256mb card that worked perfectly fine in the camera, but the reader would not read it. I just happened to have a 128meg card and found that the reader works. The only thing I could suggest to the customer is to take it back to where he got it from and see what they say. Have them go through everything on a system, including installing the drivers (If necessary) and getting the card itself to work.

As it turns out, their guess was that the card reader itself couldn't read a 256meg card. The solution was to get two 128 cards that worked with the camera and the reader. He got really lucky, cuz they exchanged the 256meg card for the two 128s at no charge.

 

[mbroumbe]

Thanks for your feedback. I don't however, think the problem is the size of the card as I can copy files from the command prompt. I'll call SanDisk tomorrow and see what they say.

 

[jpm121]

Just so you know -- the Smart Card service has absolutely nothing to do with flash memory media one would use for storing digital photos. The smart cards referenced are used for storing encrypted digital certifications for user authentication.

Sandisk has a Win2K driver available for the part you mention -- have you tried installing that?

There are also firmware updates for that model. My bet is that's your problem.

 

[mbroumbe]

SanDisk Tech Support says that no drivers are necessary as they are built into Windows 2000 Professional. I tried the installation CD and downloaded the latest drivers from the SanDisk site but nothing would work. Can you tell me where I can get the FirmWare Update?


Thanks