Card reader problem

[jooka]

Got Sandisk card reader. Upgraded my PC to USB2 compatible by adding a card inside. Everytime i try to transfer images from my Sandisk ultra 1gb card via usb 2, it fails. It starts normally but after few (10-15 seconds) whole process stops and says:

cannot copy file-xxxx: the volume for a file has been externally altered so that opened file is no longer valid

and then it mutes whole reader. It cannot be found from Windows Explorer until i unplug it from the computer.

Everything works smoothly under usb 1. Can anyone help me?

[dn7elson]

What version of Windows?

Which Sandisk CF reader? (White one or Silver?)

What application are you using to transfer the files?

Have you tried to transfer only a folder at a time vs. the entire CF?

[jooka]

What version of Windows?

XP Home Edition.

Which Sandisk CF reader? (White one or Silver?)

ImageMate® USB 2.0 Reader/Writer. Silver.

What application are you using to transfer the files?

I'm using windows explorer to transfer the files. After i put cf card into reader Windows prompts for action. Sometimes i open Windows Explorer and use it as a i use c:\ drive.

Have you tried to transfer only a folder at a time vs. the entire CF?

Yes. Just tried to transfer only one folder at a time and same error.

[dn7elson]

I'm using windows explorer to transfer the files. After i put cf card into reader Windows prompts for action. Sometimes i open Windows Explorer and use it as a i use c:\ drive.

OK, we can get rid of the OS, USB and Hardware issues. I have the same setup and drag 'n drop from my 1GB UltraII all the time with no problems. So, the combination works.

Are using the CF as a part time HD? when you say you use it as a c:\drive? What drive is Windows on then?

What this sounds like is that one of the Windows indexing or caching programs is attempting to make changes to the files on the CF. This would be expected if you were using the drive for other than file transfer purposes. Also, if you have a GoBack program or the like that will restore files after change, it might be trying to write to the CF as well.

Explain a bit more what you are doing with the CF by using it as a drive.

[jooka]

No. I'm not using CF as a HD or storing anything besides photos from my camera. I only use CF card for my camera and put it on card reader everytime i want to transfer photos to HD. What i meant by using it as a drive that i see it on Windows Explorer as a own drive where i try to drag'n drop everything to my HD (F:\ when reader is active). So, everything i do for card reader and the card is normal behaviour.

Also, i haven't heard GoBack program, so i think i don't have it.

It's bit wierd that it works via USB 1 line but not from USB 2.

[dn7elson]

It's bit wierd that it works via USB 1 line but not from USB 2.

Please explain. Do you mean that it works when you plug the CF reader into the #1 USB port, but not the #2 USB port?

USB1.x and USB2.x are protocall standards with USB2.x allowing far faster transfer speeds. This has nothing to do with USB port numbers.

[teddynet]

I had this problem with a Via motherboard and found some updated drivers a big improvement: http://www.viaarena.com/


Rich.

[jooka]

It's bit wierd that it works via USB 1 line but not from USB 2.

Please explain. Do you mean that it works when you plug the CF reader into the #1 USB port, but not the #2 USB port?

USB1.x and USB2.x are protocall standards with USB2.x allowing far faster transfer speeds. This has nothing to do with USB port numbers.

I didn't mean port numbers. Just different cards (USB1.x and USB2.x)

Reader works with USB1.x card normally but not with USB2.x card.

Also, got new error message when i tried to transfer files via USB2 card:

Cannot find file specified. Make sure path is corrects... and so on...

[Olegis]

Looks like problem with USB2.0 driver. What is the exact model of your motherboard ?

[jooka]

My motherboard is MSI K7 or something. Didn't found the exact model information (AMD).

I went to bios. There was something disabled on USB setup. Put everything ON and for the first time it actually transfered everything from the CF reader to HD (about 100 mb of photos).

One problem though. I don't see ANY speed difference between USB1 and USB2 cards. It takes same amount of time to transfer them via USB1 as in USB2. When actual transfer problem existed, transfer was hell of a lot faster but with the problem i described earlier (reader disappears with error messages).

Then I disabled whole USB1 thing on my computer and plugged everything on USB2 card (mouse, modem etc...). Image transfering works but with speed of similar to USB1 card. Modem, mouse and everything works also.

Anyone with speeding recommendation for my card reader?

[jooka]

Ugh, i just plugged the card reader from USB2 card and put it on again. It said "Hi-speed USB device plugged into non-Hi-speed USB hub".

So, it is acting like USB1 or something even it's on USB2 card.

[Olegis]

Try installing the drivers from here (http://www.viaarena.com/?PageID=403).

[jooka]

Try installing the drivers from here (http://www.viaarena.com/?PageID=403).

Done. No difference.

I removed whole usb2 card and re-install. Now it's acting like USB2 card but whole disk just disappears from Windows after few seconds of use. To make it "alive" again for next shot i have to unplug the cable and same thing happens again. It's not even in the transfer thing... even if i try to browse the disk - it disappears from Windows.

[Olegis]

I'm very sorry, I didn't notice that you were talking about add-in card and no onboard USB2.0 solution - my bad :oops: .
I guess that you'll have to install the latest drivers for your USB2.0 controller card. Which card do you use ?

[jooka]

I'm very sorry, I didn't notice that you were talking about add-in card and no onboard USB2.0 solution - my bad :oops: .
I guess that you'll have to install the latest drivers for your USB2.0 controller card. Which card do you use ?

I have Q-Tec card. It didn't carried any disks or roms for drivers. Just card which you'll need to plug it in.

http://www.qtec.info/products/product.htm?artnr=13068

Installed driver from there. No difference. Do i have to throw a duck with this reader and card?

[Olegis]

Well, it seems like either the reader or the USB card has problem. Can you check the card in another PC ? Or maybe you can get it back to the store and demand to check it under warranty policy ?

[jooka]

Well, my adls modem is connected to usb card and it's working properly. It just this card reader which seem to be problematic one. I can't test it on another computer.

Card is FAT and my hd is NTFS. Is this a problem? Maybe not since it's working with usb1 line properly.

[Olegis]

No, it has nothing to do with file system - in the Windows XP the FAT, FAT32 and the NTFS are totaly transparent to the user.

[jooka]

Yeah. i thought so too.

Well, i didn't found the solution for the problem even i spend 4 hours of trying to fix it. Card reader is plug on USB1 card and it works. It's slow but it does the job.

If anyone has input on this matter i'm wathching this thread so, please submit your suggestions to it if you have any.