DMC-FZ20 Memory Card Error Message

[dman007]

I just got this camera and used it for the first time last night using a SanDisk 512mb card. I had taken over a hundred pictures and everything was OK until I turned it one time and I got a message that said "memory card error." No matter what I tried, I kept getting the same message. When I got home, I put the card in another camera and got a similar message, "memory card locked." I have used this card in my Canon SD300 camera with no problems.

My biggest concern is that I really need these pictures. Any help would be appreciated. HELP!

[genece]

Are you aware there is write protect switch on the card?

If that is not the problem I am not sure what you can do.
It makes a case for formatting the card at times and especially when switching cameras....
Also makes a point for a card reader...I think with a card reader a recovery software may be able to retrieve the photos.

http://www.software-recovery.com/

[dman007]

Thank you for the response. It was not the write protect, I did check that but figured that was not it because I was using the camera at the time it happened. You mentioned formatting the card... I did not see anywhere in the instructions about formatting the card, my Canon does have a formatting feature. I do not have a card reader, though I think I am going to get one now.

These were pictures of a wedding that I am desperately trying to recover.

[genece]

The FZ20 has a formatting feature but I am not sure that is what you want to do now.
Its discussed on page 94 of the USA manual.

A lot of time the card mfg has a recovery tool available on their web site.

If nothing else. if the card is under guarantee the mfg should be able to retrieve the files, when they replace the card. Email them about the fact.

I have never had the problem, but I know of many that have used free recovery tools to get files back.

[Mike63]

In my US manual it talks about reformatting on page 94. To reformat put the camera in playback mode, push the menu button and using the round curser button arrow down to page two, format is at the bottom. I to, use a Sandisk 512mb (Ultra II) and have never had a problem. I use a card reader to download the images off the card and I reformat the card with the camera every time I erase the card. As Gene mentioned try a software recovery program to retrieve the pics.

[genece]

someone recommended this recovery tool to me ...I never used it but it is most likely worth a chance....
http://www.artplus.hr/adapps/eng/downloads.htm

[dman007]

Gene,

Thank you again for the information. I did not see the part in the manual about formatting the card that you mentioned, I assumed this would have be addressed earlier in the manual when they were discussing the card and installing such.

I do not have a card reader but am going to get one today if a store is open. I sent an emai to SanDisk and have not heard back from them yet.

Thanks again for your help, much appreciated.

Dave

[Model Tug]

dman007, Do NOT Format the memory card that has the wedding pictures on it! If you do you will loose every thing.The pictures may be recoverable by using software as Gene suggested or using a commercial service to recover the pictures.Look in photo magazines for adds for photorecovery services or better still search these forums for other peoples suggestions of photo recovery services. I hope putting the card in the Canon did not do any damage to the pictures.After the pictures are recovered, then you might want to send the card back to the vendor for a new replacement.
This brings up a second point. Even tho vendors are now making cards that are capable of One GB and larger it is not a good idea to buy them. Instead of a One GB card, buy two 512 cards. That way if you are on a photo shoot and the card fails, you still have a second card to complete the assignment.
Good Luck

Rod

[Stclairdean]

I recently had the same problem. Not only did I get the memory card error, but the camera would not zoom either. I turned the camera off and then on again with no improvement. Turn it off and removed the card and re-inserted it and that made no difference either. Thankfully I had a second card (both are 512 Mb) and popped it in and all was well. Soon as I got home I put the card in the reader on my pc and downloaded all the pics. But in order to further test the card, I did not erase the pics on the card. I installed the card back into the camera and it is now working fine. Strange. I have since bought a third 512 Mb card and am hoping it was just a one time quirk.

[Joshua]

Hi,
Can anyone help me. I have just brought a XD 512mg memory card and put it in my Finepix S5600 camera. I took a whole lot of photo's like normal and then put the card in my reader to print photo's however it came up with the card wasn't formatted. I tried to format on PC however it came up with "Write Protect" error and I can't get pass it. I have never had this problem before and there are no instructions on how to fix it. PLease Help!

[WildWinds]

Don't format the card in the computer, you should always reformat the card in the camera, never the computer.

[genece]

If you put the card back in the camera, can you see the photos?
I am not familiar with XD cards ...but do they have a write protect switch?
And if you can see the pictures from the camera it is possible that card just does not get along with your reader...I think XD cards have that problem a good bit.
Maybe the Fuji or Olympus forum can help more.

Just the way you stated the problem....I would think the photos should be downloaded to the computer and then deleted from the card or the card formatted in the camera. And then go about the printing.

Also if you are using some software to download the photos...try without the software and try to view them with windows explorer.

[StanStan]

From my experience I now NEVER delete pictures when the card is in the camera. Nor do I change the card's file structure when in a card reader: don't delete, add new, format. Deleting pictures from the card when in the camera leads to gaps and duplicate file names on the card.
Originally when this happened I assumed the camera was defective. Panasonic Bob confirmed that this would happen to my FZ20. Bob said Panasonic files were "indexed" and were not a true file sequence number system. I believe their firmware needs fixing,
All I do now is to copy the contents of the card to the internal hard disk, write protect the files, and do another copy to the external hard disk and write protect again then insert the card into the camera and then format to clean up the card. Copy to CDRs periodically
My Nikon uses compact flash so the FZ20/30 SDs cannot be cross contaminated. From posts I read adding pictures from different camera types to the same card leads to trouble.
Stan