Sandisk memory card error after filming

[RSRuderman]

Hi all,

I recently purchased a Nikon Coolpix 3200 camera and loaded a Sandisk memory card in it. It worked beautifully taking still pictures. Then my daughter decided to shoot a 30 second movie. When going to the history to view it, we could see the first image, but when we push Play, we get this error message: "Warning: Card Cannot be Read." We want to delete it since the transfer program can no longer transfer any new still pictures (it seems "blocked" by the movie). But the camera won't allow us to delete it--we just keep getting the error message! (Strangely, my daughter *was* able to delete two or three previous short movies that she had shot.)

The "Troubleshooting" section of the instruction manual simply suggests a compatibility problem for this error message (but that's manisfestly not the problem).

Any advice/guidance/suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
Richard

[webshooter]

When a card is "locked" by battery failure during download or, as in your case, a filming error of some kind, you can usually recover the use of the card by inserting it in a card reader and using your computer to delete files from it. I use Paint Shop Pro to load and manipulate images straight from the card, and delete files afterwards. Then I format the card in whichever camera I am using it in next.
There is, I am told, a program available as freeware, that will access those blocked or "locked" cards and recover the images.

[Chuck Troy]

I ttoo have just received an error that my 128 SD Sandisk card.... will not work in my Panasonic camera. Will not even work in my media card reader.

Any suggestions. Thx.

[Repairs Online]

Hello,

I have a Pentax, Digital Still Camera, Model: S4i with the same problem. It reads Multimedia but not SD memory sticks. Even the technician was surprised about this fact as he had never encountered this problem before.

To test if the card was at fault a new SD stick was purchased, formatted before using and then the message: "Memory Card Error" appeared on the display.

First question, any ideas what causes this problem and if any one has got a service manual or schematic for this camera.

Sincerely
Repairs Online

[ssidlov]

I ttoo have just received an error that my 128 SD Sandisk card.... will not work in my Panasonic camera. Will not even work in my media card reader.

Any suggestions. Thx.

I would try these things in this order:

1. If you have recovery software from Sandisk (Rescue Pro) or other company try to use that.

2. If you have a defragger, try defragging the disk. This is found in the Properties page of the drive, Tools/Utilities. This can often recover the disk or at least say what is actually wrong with it.

3. Insert the card in the camera and ask it to format the card. (You of course lose anything on it if this succeeds.) I would not format the card in any Windows OS as it may use the wrong version of the file system.

4. All Sandisk cards have at least a 5yr warrenty for replacement. To obtain warranty service contact SanDisk at 1-866-SanDisk or send an email to: support@sandisk.com

[ssidlov]

There is, I am told, a program available as freeware, that will access those blocked or "locked" cards and recover the images.

http://www.z-a-recovery.com/digital_image_recovery.htm This is a freeware version with limited camera testing, check the list.

This one will recover the first 10 images and if you register at the site will give you a 15% discount on the $39.95 price.
http://www.flashfixers.com/software/trial.asp

This one will show you what is recoverable from your card, but I think that you have to pay for it to actually fix it, also $39 online.
http://www.datarescue.com/photorescue/download.htm

This is the Sandisk recovery software page, the software is $40, and I believe that the demo will only show you what it can recover. Has a special method for recovering movies.
http://www.lc-tech.com/rescuepro.htm

This is shareware product that will support the file systems used on memory cards, it is however, actually designed as a hard disk recovery program. The pay price for the shareware is also $40.
http://www.snapfiles.com/features/filescavenger-803-406688.php

[gary_hendricks]

Try reformatting the card. If it still fails, time for a new card :(