# Well crap. Memory card issue, Win XP **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 3, 2007, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-crap-memory-card-issue-win-xp/417925 "2007-09-03T19:01:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2007, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-crap-memory-card-issue-win-xp/417925/1 "2007-09-03T19:01:26Z")
I have a Gateway M360 notebook that has a built in card reader. I’ve never had any trouble using it before, but I’ve never tried using a large capacity memory card, either. My laptop is about 2 years old, and they weren’t around when my system was put together, I don’t think. Anyway, I have a brand new SanDisk 2 GB SD memory card but my computer won’t read it. I’ve been through online chat TWICE with Gateway about it, but I keep losing connection with their support server, so that’s of no help. They had me download a new driver, which I did. When I installed it, the device was SEEN, but said it was not formatted. When I tried to format it, it failed using the FAT 32 way. I did successfully format it the other way, took some pictures, then put the card back in. It read, but it was all symbols and gibberish. I uninstalled and reinstalled the drivers but now when I try to right click the device or do anything, it just freezes up the My Computer screen on me. SanDisc is closed for the holiday and Gateway is about useless unless I spend another hour trying to chat with them. Any suggestions or ideas? It seems so easy, but it’s just not working. So frustrating! ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2007, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-crap-memory-card-issue-win-xp/417925/2 "2007-09-03T19:08:17Z")
Can your computer access other SD cards inserted in the same port? ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2007, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-crap-memory-card-issue-win-xp/417925/3 "2007-09-03T19:22:30Z")
Yes, it can- I’ve used 256K and 1 GB cards with no trouble. This card is brand new out of the package and reads fine in my camera, but seems incompatible with my card reader in my laptop. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2007, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-crap-memory-card-issue-win-xp/417925/4 "2007-09-03T19:47:53Z")
Is the lock switch on the SD card in the [unlocked position](http://support.gateway.com/s/Camera/7004854/7004854faq67.shtml)? > [@](#): > > When the SD memory card is in the locked position, it protects the images on the card. You can not delete or add anything to the SD memory card until you slide the lock switch on the card to the unlock position. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2007, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-crap-memory-card-issue-win-xp/417925/5 "2007-09-03T19:52:18Z")
Is your card SD, or SDHC? Your computer may not take SDHC. They look the same, but they’re not. ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2007, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-crap-memory-card-issue-win-xp/417925/6 "2007-09-03T20:05:38Z")
Fear: I tried it in both positions, same result. Telemark: It is an SD card for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2007, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-crap-memory-card-issue-win-xp/417925/7 "2007-09-04T02:04:44Z")
Find someone with a newer machine and try the card in it. That will determine if the problem is in the card or your machine.