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How-To Geek Forums » Windows Vista

SD card reader is dead

(28 posts)
  • Started 5 months ago by whs
  • Latest reply from whs
  • Topic Viewed 440 times


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whs
whs
Posts: 6322

Today I tried to read an SD card for the first time on my Dell Inspiron 530 which is 4 weeks old. The reader was absolutely dead. No Autoplay, nothing in "Computer" - just dead. I rebooted the system because I had prior experience on an HP system with the power to the reader being cut off - but this did not help either. The Dell support people want me to open the box. They suspect that there is some disconnected wire. I hate to do that because I have to take my whole place apart. Does anybody have an idea where else I could look short of using the screwdriver?

Posted 5 months ago #
 
Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Posts: 5574

Have you checked in Device Manager?

Posted 5 months ago #
 
whs
whs
Posts: 6322

I have checked. But I thought the card reader has the same driver as the USB's - and those work.

Posted 5 months ago #
 
Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Posts: 5574

Try updating the driver. The generic MS driver should work, but you never know!

Posted 5 months ago #
 
Scott
Scott
Posts: 2286

I had big issues with a Kingston card, Ricoh drivers on an Inspiron pre-SP1. The only error found was a 'Code 10' and a search of that reveals that this is/was a common bug. (While this seemed to happen 'out of nowhere', I believe it was caused during a Windows Update).

You can try to uninstall the driver, reboot and see if a new driver is found.

Posted 5 months ago #
 
whs
whs
Posts: 6322

They are all up-to-date - at least that's what is says after an update attempt. Maybe the Dell people are right and I have to open the box.

Posted 5 months ago #
 
Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Posts: 5574

Is it a Ricoh or MS driver installed?

Posted 5 months ago #
 
whs
whs
Posts: 6322

@Scott, one of the problems I have is that I am not sure which USB controller is responsible for the card reader - there are so many. And I hate to disable all because then I also loose my keyboard and scollball and cannot operate the system any more.

Posted 5 months ago #
 
whs
whs
Posts: 6322

Lighthouse, see above. I am not exactly sure where to look.

Posted 5 months ago #
 
Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Posts: 5574

Look in Disk Drives. (with the card in the slot)

Posted 5 months ago #
 
whs
whs
Posts: 6322

Nothing there other than my 2 HDD's and 2 USB sticks currently operating. I had suspected the USB Composite Device. But that checked out OK.

Posted 5 months ago #
 
Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Posts: 5574

Then you are having to operate I'm afraid. Open her up. I'm surprised the tech suggested that, what with it being under warranty and all!

Posted 5 months ago #
 
whs
whs
Posts: 6322

He wanted me to open it up and then call them. I guess he wants me to operate under their "Guidance". Well, If nothing helps, they have to send a technician on site. But I figure that is their last resort.

Posted 5 months ago #
 
ScottW
ScottW
Posts: 2569

whs, I have a similar setup on my Acer Aspire desktop. In Device Manager, select view by connection and the card reader devices will show up under a USB root hub and on the UMBus as shown:

Posted 5 months ago #
 
Scott
Scott
Posts: 2286

whs,

while in Device Manager expanded to 'Show Hidden Devices', remove and insert the SD card to determine which catagory it fits in. Mine is under 'Disk Drives'. When inserted, is there any yellow icon?

(Yes, I know you know this, just double checking ;) )

Posted 5 months ago #
 
ScottW
ScottW
Posts: 2569

Inside the case (yes, I opened it!) there is a cable running from the card reader to a connector on the motherboard that can supply 2 USB connectors. If that cable isn't connected properly, you won't see the card reader in devmgmt.

Personally, I'd rather have the 2 USB ports. I've been casually on the lookout for a motherboard header to 2 USB port slot cover cable.

Posted 5 months ago #
 
Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Posts: 5574

If it's like other one's I've seen, It's plugged into the 1394 sockets on your m/b.

Posted 5 months ago #
 
whs
whs
Posts: 6322

ScottW, Thanks, Unfortunately it is not as neat as yours. This is all it shows:

Posted 5 months ago #
 
ScottW
ScottW
Posts: 2569

whs, sorry I didn't show it from the top (too long) but you have to expand the "ACPI x86" section, then "Microsoft ACPI", then "PCI bus", and so on. Also, expand the UMBus section -- it would be interesting if the card reader showed up there but not on the USB hub.

Posted 5 months ago #
 
whs
whs
Posts: 6322

Thanks guys, I think I have some work to do. But now I have to first go see the Doctor for a scheduled check-up. Talk to you later.

Posted 5 months ago #
 

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