K1 suddenly has "memory card error" w Sony SD card

Syb · 09-12-2016, 02:20 AM

Oh no! Yesterday all went fine, and today my Pentax K1 camera does not want to work with SD card anymore. Not in slot1, not in slot2. The card is not "seen" by windows card readers either.

That is bad news, because it is an expensive and big card, but even more because there are (or were?) some great shots on this sdcard.

Anyone of you know a trick for recovering the files, or even better: getting this sd card functioning again?

Things I have tried so far:
- changing slots. Result: with this card in slot 1, there is a memory card problem in slot 1. with this card in slot 2, there is a memory card problem in slot 2.
- changing sd cards. Result: other sd cards work well in my K1, in both slots.
- cleaning (tuner spray, pencil eraser) applied. Result: no remarkable improvement.
- switching "write lock" switch. Result: nothing changed.
- Testing different card readers. Result: this SD card is never recognized.

Dear friends,
Do you know what I can do next?

Attached Images

MarkJerling · 09-12-2016, 03:12 AM

Can you reformat the card? Or is it not seen at all? What about in the PC - not seen there either? Have you tried a different PC?

Adam · 09-12-2016, 03:21 AM

Keep trying different readers until it is recognized. If there's physical damage to the plastic surrounding the data pins, this could prevent the card from working with certain readers.

Hopefully you're able to pull your photos off of it. If not, it may be worthwhile to get a data recovery quote from a company that can troubleshoot the hardware issue. I've used secure data recovery in the past and they did a great (albeit expensive) job of fixing a hard drive that died after a power outage (they had to take it apart and image the platters).

Syb · 09-12-2016, 03:22 AM

Originally posted by MarkJerling

Can you reformat the card? Or is it not seen at all? What about in the PC - not seen there either? Have you tried a different PC?

Hi Mark, I cannot reformat in the camera (the card error is the only signal i get about this card), and it is not seen at all in four PC's...

---------- Post added 09-12-2016 at 12:23 PM ----------

Thanks Adam, I will keep on trying with different readers. Question keeps coming into mind: what has gone wrong? I guess I'll never know that...

MarkJerling · 09-12-2016, 03:33 AM

What happens if you use the camera as a card reader and connect the camera by cable to your pc?

Unregistered User 8 · 09-12-2016, 03:43 AM

Originally posted by Syb

Question keeps coming into mind: what has gone wrong? I guess I'll never know that...

Hi Syb. Just a thought, are you turning the camera off before inserting or removing your cards?

Syb · 09-12-2016, 03:52 AM

That is an inventive one. A drive letter is allocated, however Windows doesn't show a degree of capacity used, and asks for a valid disk or medium to be inserted in the drive. Then windows software searches for a long time.

---------- Post added 09-12-2016 at 12:54 PM ----------

Originally posted by pjv

Hi Syb. Just a thought, are you turning the camera off before inserting or removing your cards?

Most of the time I am. In this particular case, i am not sure any more. It all started with my camera reporting this issue about a card today that had not been out of the camera since it worked fine yesterday.

---------- Post added 09-12-2016 at 01:03 PM ----------

"Cannot perform disk check because there is no access to the drive"

MarkJerling · 09-12-2016, 04:06 AM

If you're seeing a drive letter, try using Recova for that drive.

Syb · 09-12-2016, 04:21 AM

Originally posted by MarkJerling

If you're seeing a drive letter, try using Recova for that drive.

"Failed to scan the drive."

MarkJerling · 09-12-2016, 04:35 AM

You could try sending it to the the pro's. But it sounds as if it's a goner!

Syb · 09-12-2016, 04:48 AM

I am afraid so...
Anyway, thanks for your assistance, Mark!

MarkJerling · 09-12-2016, 04:50 AM

No worries - pity we could not get it to work.

Unregistered User 8 · 09-12-2016, 05:12 AM

Might be too late now, but hope this link might help in the future.

11 Tips For Avoiding Memory Card Problems - PhotoNaturalist

Syb · 09-12-2016, 05:36 AM

Thanks PJV.
I think this could be useful for many Pentaxians!

Unregistered User 8 · 09-12-2016, 05:40 AM

Originally posted by Syb

Thanks PJV.

Most welcome.

09-12-2016, 02:20 AM	#1
Syb Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Near Utrecht, Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,221	K1 suddenly has "memory card error" w Sony SD card Oh no! Yesterday all went fine, and today my Pentax K1 camera does not want to work with SD card anymore. Not in slot1, not in slot2. The card is not "seen" by windows card readers either. That is bad news, because it is an expensive and big card, but even more because there are (or were?) some great shots on this sdcard. Anyone of you know a trick for recovering the files, or even better: getting this sd card functioning again? Things I have tried so far: - changing slots. Result: with this card in slot 1, there is a memory card problem in slot 1. with this card in slot 2, there is a memory card problem in slot 2. - changing sd cards. Result: other sd cards work well in my K1, in both slots. - cleaning (tuner spray, pencil eraser) applied. Result: no remarkable improvement. - switching "write lock" switch. Result: nothing changed. - Testing different card readers. Result: this SD card is never recognized. *Dear friends,* Do you know what I can do next? Attached Images

09-12-2016, 03:21 AM	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Keep trying different readers until it is recognized. If there's physical damage to the plastic surrounding the data pins, this could prevent the card from working with certain readers. Hopefully you're able to pull your photos off of it. If not, it may be worthwhile to get a data recovery quote from a company that can troubleshoot the hardware issue. I've used secure data recovery in the past and they did a great (albeit expensive) job of fixing a hard drive that died after a power outage (they had to take it apart and image the platters). Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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09-12-2016, 03:12 AM	#2
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,405	Can you reformat the card? Or is it not seen at all? What about in the PC - not seen there either? Have you tried a different PC?

09-12-2016, 03:22 AM	#4
Syb Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Near Utrecht, Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,221 Original Poster	Originally posted by MarkJerling Can you reformat the card? Or is it not seen at all? What about in the PC - not seen there either? Have you tried a different PC? Hi Mark, I cannot reformat in the camera (the card error is the only signal i get about this card), and it is not seen at all in four PC's... ---------- Post added 09-12-2016 at 12:23 PM ---------- Thanks Adam, I will keep on trying with different readers. Question keeps coming into mind: what has gone wrong? I guess I'll never know that...

09-12-2016, 03:33 AM	#5
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,405	What happens if you use the camera as a card reader and connect the camera by cable to your pc?

09-12-2016, 03:43 AM	#6
Unregistered User 8 Closed Account Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,694	Originally posted by Syb Question keeps coming into mind: what has gone wrong? I guess I'll never know that... Hi Syb. Just a thought, are you turning the camera off before inserting or removing your cards?

09-12-2016, 03:52 AM	#7
Syb Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Near Utrecht, Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,221 Original Poster	That is an inventive one. A drive letter is allocated, however Windows doesn't show a degree of capacity used, and asks for a valid disk or medium to be inserted in the drive. Then windows software searches for a long time. ---------- Post added 09-12-2016 at 12:54 PM ---------- Originally posted by pjv Hi Syb. Just a thought, are you turning the camera off before inserting or removing your cards? Most of the time I am. In this particular case, i am not sure any more. It all started with my camera reporting this issue about a card today that had not been out of the camera since it worked fine yesterday. ---------- Post added 09-12-2016 at 01:03 PM ---------- "Cannot perform disk check because there is no access to the drive"

09-12-2016, 04:06 AM	#8
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,405	If you're seeing a drive letter, try using Recova for that drive.

09-12-2016, 04:21 AM	#9
Syb Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Near Utrecht, Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,221 Original Poster	Originally posted by MarkJerling If you're seeing a drive letter, try using Recova for that drive. "Failed to scan the drive."

09-12-2016, 04:35 AM	#10
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,405	You could try sending it to the the pro's. But it sounds as if it's a goner!

09-12-2016, 04:48 AM	#11
Syb Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Near Utrecht, Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,221 Original Poster	I am afraid so... Anyway, thanks for your assistance, Mark!

09-12-2016, 04:50 AM	#12
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,405	No worries - pity we could not get it to work.

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09-12-2016, 05:12 AM	#13
Unregistered User 8 Closed Account Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,694	Might be too late now, but hope this link might help in the future. 11 Tips For Avoiding Memory Card Problems - PhotoNaturalist

09-12-2016, 05:36 AM	#14
Syb Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Near Utrecht, Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,221 Original Poster	Thanks PJV. I think this could be useful for many Pentaxians!

09-12-2016, 05:40 AM	#15
Unregistered User 8 Closed Account Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,694	Originally posted by Syb Thanks PJV. Most welcome.