Memory card error

andersju · 12-04-2010, 09:23 AM

I bought a K-5 last month and I've encountered the error "Memory card error" several times when turning on the camera. Just turning the camera on and off obviously doesn't help; however, ejecting and inserting the card again resolves the matter.

This is with a Sandisk 16 GB Extreme SDHC. I haven't found a specific way to reproduce the error. Just now I turned off the camera (the card was functioning correctly), popped out the card, put it in again, turned on the camera, and... error. Hm. Took it out and in again and it worked.

It's not a big problem but it's slightly unsettling. Not sure if it's the card or the camera. Any ideas?

Last edited by andersju; 12-05-2010 at 08:38 AM.

inferno10 · 12-04-2010, 10:51 AM

Have you tried formatting the card in the camera?

- Jason

JeffJS · 12-04-2010, 11:01 AM

Originally posted by andersju

I bought a K-5 last month and I've encountered the error "Memory card error" several times when turning on the camera. Just turning the camera on and off obviously doesn't help; however, ejecting and inserting the card again resolves the matter.

This is with a Sandisk 16 GB Extreme SDHC. I haven't found a specific way to reproduce the error. Just now I turned off the camera (the card was working), popped out the card, put it in again, turned on the camera, and... error. Hm. Took it out and in again and it worked.

It's not a big problem but it's slightly unsettling. Not sure if it's the card or the camera. Any ideas?

Originally posted by inferno10

Have you tried formatting the card in the camera?

- Jason

I've had that happen with my 8Gb SD extreme in my K7 (Well, someone else's k7 now) but haven't seen it yet in the k5. In fact, I can't recall it happening in the K7 after I updated to the latest firmware.

It's an intermittent issue and since I take the card out of the camera to put it in the computer's reader, the rabbit is lost so to speak. I've never tried it in the camera because when it happens(ed), the camera wouldn't do anything that required access to the card. It might be something as simple as dirty contacts but I don't know. The card has a lifetime warranty (IIRC) so next time it happens, Sandisk will be sending me a new card.

simico · 12-05-2010, 03:24 AM

Originally posted by andersju

Just now I turned off the camera (the card was working)

You mean the camera was writing data to the card (red light flashing on back of camera) when you turned it off? Uhm, not a good idea...

andersju · 12-05-2010, 03:35 AM

Originally posted by simico

You mean the camera was writing data to the card (red light flashing on back of camera) when you turned it off? Uhm, not a good idea...

No. Sorry, bad wording there. I just meant the card was functioning correctly at the time; i.e., it didn't give me the error.

Originally posted by JeffJS

It's an intermittent issue and since I take the card out of the camera to put it in the computer's reader, the rabbit is lost so to speak. I've never tried it in the camera because when it happens(ed), the camera wouldn't do anything that required access to the card. It might be something as simple as dirty contacts but I don't know. The card has a lifetime warranty (IIRC) so next time it happens, Sandisk will be sending me a new card.

I'll try a different card for a while and see if the error disappears. They do indeed have some kind of lifetime warranty, so I'll contact them too.

jolepp · 12-05-2010, 03:43 AM

Sounds like a flaky contact ... have you tried another card? If that helps (and the problem still persists when you switch back) changes are that the problem is with the card, otherwise it could be the camera connector.

Wheatfield · 12-05-2010, 07:39 AM

Originally posted by andersju

Just now I turned off the camera (the card was working), popped out the card, put it in again, turned on the camera, and... error.

Thats a pretty good way to create a problem.
Why do we go out of our way to make things not work and then complain when we succeed?
Anyway, I had a couple of card errors on my K20 and K7. Formatting the card in my computer (fat32, not ntfs) and then formatting it again in camera solved it.

andersju · 12-05-2010, 08:34 AM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

Thats a pretty good way to create a problem.
Why do we go out of our way to make things not work and then complain when we succeed?
Anyway, I had a couple of card errors on my K20 and K7. Formatting the card in my computer (fat32, not ntfs) and then formatting it again in camera solved it.

If you (like a poster above) interpreted it as if I turned the camera off while it was writing to the card, I apologize for the ambiguous wording. I just meant that the card was functioning correctly. As I wrote just a few hours ago, the camera was NOT doing anything when I turned it off - I'm not that stupid

Trying a different card now.

PinarelloOnly · 12-06-2010, 08:57 AM

Just recently with my K200D I got the same errors on two different SanDisk class 4 cards. Never any problems for two years until now.

My problem was after turning on the camera with the grip on, firing off a photo
the screen would stay black and the blinking light would flicker for about a good
twenty seconds before I would get one of two messages "camera cannot save
photo" or "memory card error" which would then delete the whole card.

I have taken off the batt. grip hoping that has something to do with it since
I cannot get it to do it again with the grip off.

So far my opinion and my point is I do not think my similar problem to yours is the cards.
Even after reformatting. Unfortunately I think it is a camera problem.

For the point of money I hope it is a card problem for you but for two quality cards to do it
for me seems to be a camera issue.

shim · 12-06-2010, 11:35 AM

I had that problem with 2 Sandisk Extreme cards on a K10D years ago. I changed
to Lexar and never had the problem again. It's a fairly common problem not all
cards work in all equipment.

glanglois · 12-06-2010, 12:26 PM

I have used more than a dozen SanDisk cards, all but two Extreme III, on K10D, K-X, K-7.

Never had that problem.

Never did anything special to keep cards clean and safe other than always returning them immediately to the plastic case. Always formatted them in camera and did so with each new insertion. Used them with exclusively Windows computers (for those who see import in that). Always downloaded from card readers rather than camera. Card readers were generally, and now exclusively, SanDisk MicroMate.

I don't know who cares about the above info, though ......

Stringmike · 12-06-2010, 12:46 PM

If you bought it from a reputable source you're probably OK, but there are plenty of fake cards still being produced and sold. Some of them have found their way into normal distribution channels. The fakes often have good counterfeit packaging and can be hard to spot.

I would run a check on the card size and speed to make sure it really is what you think it is!

Mike

JeffJS · 12-06-2010, 11:07 PM

Originally posted by Stringmike

If you bought it from a reputable source you're probably OK, but there are plenty of fake cards still being produced and sold. Some of them have found their way into normal distribution channels. The fakes often have good counterfeit packaging and can be hard to spot.

I would run a check on the card size and speed to make sure it really is what you think it is!

Mike

Mine came from Newegg. It included sandisk's recovery software which successfully registered on the sandisk site.

ve2vfd · 12-07-2010, 11:00 AM

Be aware that it may also be the SD card unit thats the problem.

My first K20d would freeze solid at random when trying to write to the card. After trying and buying a whole bunch of cards (some premium cards) I had to exchange the camera and never saw the problem again. The store tech did confirm the problem when I returned the camera.

Pat

andersju · 12-16-2010, 06:22 PM

Just a quick update - I tried the same card in a video camera. It detected the card, but wanted to format it, and failed at formatting it. Ejecting the card and inserting it again, it worked fine... I also had problems with it when trying it in my Zoom H2 recorder. So, I'm certain my K-5 is fine. And yes, it is a real Sandisk, bought in a reputable brick-and-mortar store locally. Never had a problem with Sandisk before but I suppose sometime's gotta be the first

12-04-2010, 09:23 AM	#1
andersju New Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stockholm Posts: 20	Memory card error I bought a K-5 last month and I've encountered the error "Memory card error" several times when turning on the camera. Just turning the camera on and off obviously doesn't help; however, ejecting and inserting the card again resolves the matter. This is with a Sandisk 16 GB Extreme SDHC. I haven't found a specific way to reproduce the error. Just now I turned off the camera (the card was functioning correctly), popped out the card, put it in again, turned on the camera, and... error. Hm. Took it out and in again and it worked. It's not a big problem but it's slightly unsettling. Not sure if it's the card or the camera. Any ideas? Last edited by andersju; 12-05-2010 at 08:38 AM.

12-06-2010, 08:57 AM	#9
PinarelloOnly Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Shoreline CT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 86	Just recently with my K200D I got the same errors on two different SanDisk class 4 cards. Never any problems for two years until now. My problem was after turning on the camera with the grip on, firing off a photo the screen would stay black and the blinking light would flicker for about a good twenty seconds before I would get one of two messages "camera cannot save photo" or "memory card error" which would then delete the whole card. I have taken off the batt. grip hoping that has something to do with it since I cannot get it to do it again with the grip off. So far my opinion and my point is I do not think my similar problem to yours is the cards. Even after reformatting. Unfortunately I think it is a camera problem. For the point of money I hope it is a card problem for you but for two quality cards to do it for me seems to be a camera issue. Last edited by PinarelloOnly; 12-06-2010 at 09:13 AM.

12-06-2010, 12:46 PM	#12
Stringmike Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 283	Still fake cards out there! If you bought it from a reputable source you're probably OK, but there are plenty of fake cards still being produced and sold. Some of them have found their way into normal distribution channels. The fakes often have good counterfeit packaging and can be hard to spot. I would run a check on the card size and speed to make sure it really is what you think it is! Mike

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12-04-2010, 10:51 AM	#2
inferno10 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 342	Have you tried formatting the card in the camera? - Jason

12-04-2010, 11:01 AM	#3
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by andersju I bought a K-5 last month and I've encountered the error "Memory card error" several times when turning on the camera. Just turning the camera on and off obviously doesn't help; however, ejecting and inserting the card again resolves the matter. This is with a Sandisk 16 GB Extreme SDHC. I haven't found a specific way to reproduce the error. Just now I turned off the camera (the card was working), popped out the card, put it in again, turned on the camera, and... error. Hm. Took it out and in again and it worked. It's not a big problem but it's slightly unsettling. Not sure if it's the card or the camera. Any ideas? Originally posted by inferno10 Have you tried formatting the card in the camera? - Jason I've had that happen with my 8Gb SD extreme in my K7 (Well, someone else's k7 now) but haven't seen it yet in the k5. In fact, I can't recall it happening in the K7 after I updated to the latest firmware. It's an intermittent issue and since I take the card out of the camera to put it in the computer's reader, the rabbit is lost so to speak. I've never tried it in the camera because when it happens(ed), the camera wouldn't do anything that required access to the card. It might be something as simple as dirty contacts but I don't know. The card has a lifetime warranty (IIRC) so next time it happens, Sandisk will be sending me a new card.

12-05-2010, 03:24 AM	#4
simico Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Budapest Posts: 821	Originally posted by andersju Just now I turned off the camera (the card was working) You mean the camera was writing data to the card (red light flashing on back of camera) when you turned it off? Uhm, not a good idea...

12-05-2010, 03:35 AM	#5
andersju New Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stockholm Posts: 20 Original Poster	Originally posted by simico You mean the camera was writing data to the card (red light flashing on back of camera) when you turned it off? Uhm, not a good idea... No. Sorry, bad wording there. I just meant the card was functioning correctly at the time; i.e., it didn't give me the error. Originally posted by JeffJS It's an intermittent issue and since I take the card out of the camera to put it in the computer's reader, the rabbit is lost so to speak. I've never tried it in the camera because when it happens(ed), the camera wouldn't do anything that required access to the card. It might be something as simple as dirty contacts but I don't know. The card has a lifetime warranty (IIRC) so next time it happens, Sandisk will be sending me a new card. I'll try a different card for a while and see if the error disappears. They do indeed have some kind of lifetime warranty, so I'll contact them too.

12-05-2010, 03:43 AM	#6
jolepp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Finland Photos: Albums Posts: 3,196	Sounds like a flaky contact ... have you tried another card? If that helps (and the problem still persists when you switch back) changes are that the problem is with the card, otherwise it could be the camera connector.

12-05-2010, 07:39 AM	#7
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,976	Originally posted by andersju Just now I turned off the camera (the card was working), popped out the card, put it in again, turned on the camera, and... error. Thats a pretty good way to create a problem. Why do we go out of our way to make things not work and then complain when we succeed? Anyway, I had a couple of card errors on my K20 and K7. Formatting the card in my computer (fat32, not ntfs) and then formatting it again in camera solved it.

12-05-2010, 08:34 AM	#8
andersju New Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stockholm Posts: 20 Original Poster	Originally posted by Wheatfield Thats a pretty good way to create a problem. Why do we go out of our way to make things not work and then complain when we succeed? Anyway, I had a couple of card errors on my K20 and K7. Formatting the card in my computer (fat32, not ntfs) and then formatting it again in camera solved it. If you (like a poster above) interpreted it as if I turned the camera off while it was writing to the card, I apologize for the ambiguous wording. I just meant that the card was functioning correctly. As I wrote just a few hours ago, the camera was NOT doing anything when I turned it off - I'm not that stupid Trying a different card now.

12-06-2010, 11:35 AM	#10
shim Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Merseyside UK Posts: 34	I had that problem with 2 Sandisk Extreme cards on a K10D years ago. I changed to Lexar and never had the problem again. It's a fairly common problem not all cards work in all equipment.

12-06-2010, 12:26 PM	#11
glanglois Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Madison, Wis., USA Posts: 1,506	I have used more than a dozen SanDisk cards, all but two Extreme III, on K10D, K-X, K-7. Never had that problem. Never did anything special to keep cards clean and safe other than always returning them immediately to the plastic case. Always formatted them in camera and did so with each new insertion. Used them with exclusively Windows computers (for those who see import in that). Always downloaded from card readers rather than camera. Card readers were generally, and now exclusively, SanDisk MicroMate. I don't know who cares about the above info, though ......

12-06-2010, 11:07 PM	#13
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by Stringmike If you bought it from a reputable source you're probably OK, but there are plenty of fake cards still being produced and sold. Some of them have found their way into normal distribution channels. The fakes often have good counterfeit packaging and can be hard to spot. I would run a check on the card size and speed to make sure it really is what you think it is! Mike Mine came from Newegg. It included sandisk's recovery software which successfully registered on the sandisk site.

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12-07-2010, 11:00 AM	#14
ve2vfd Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montreal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,433	Be aware that it may also be the SD card unit thats the problem. My first K20d would freeze solid at random when trying to write to the card. After trying and buying a whole bunch of cards (some premium cards) I had to exchange the camera and never saw the problem again. The store tech did confirm the problem when I returned the camera. Pat

12-16-2010, 06:22 PM	#15
andersju New Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stockholm Posts: 20 Original Poster	Just a quick update - I tried the same card in a video camera. It detected the card, but wanted to format it, and failed at formatting it. Ejecting the card and inserting it again, it worked fine... I also had problems with it when trying it in my Zoom H2 recorder. So, I'm certain my K-5 is fine. And yes, it is a real Sandisk, bought in a reputable brick-and-mortar store locally. Never had a problem with Sandisk before but I suppose sometime's gotta be the first