PhotoDownloader and Card Reader Problem

[paula]

I am suddenly having a problem getting the Downloader to work properly with my SanDisk card reader. The problem first began with my old reader - first, the Downloader couldn't find the device and then I got the error message indicating there was a problem with the card reader. In addition, when I plugged the reader into the USB port, the amber light glows, indicating it's on, but the green light that indicates the computer is picking up the images from the card, doesn't come on, or flashes. I bought a new reader, but am still having the same issues. We have deinstalled and reinstalled the software for the reader.

When the Downloader dialog box pops up, it takes forever to find the images, and then the upload process goes in fits and starts. It'll find a few images, stop, find a few more, etc. Then the process of copying the images to the hard drive goes the same way, stopping and starting. It's only a little faster than loading directly from the camera, which is what I am now doing, using the same USB port.

We have had an error message stating that App. has to close - I think I first saw it when trying to download, but it has appeared elsewhere.

Do we need to reinstall PSE 5.0? Reboot doesn't help.

Thanks for whatever help anyone can give me.
paula m

[Juergen D]

Paula,
First thought is that it could be Windows. When you go to Win Explorer, can you copy and paste the images? Or is everything there sluggish and slow, too?

Juergen

[Codebreaker]

Paula....

It's conceivable that you have a bad USB port - have you tried plugging in the reader to another port?

Colin

[Chuck S.]

Paula....

It's conceivable that you have a bad USB port - have you tried plugging in the reader to another port?

Colin

I think Colin is right about a problem with the USB port. You may want to go into Control Panel>System>Device Manager>Universal Serial Bus controllers and see if the one you're using has developed a problem.

[paula]

Hi, All!

We have not yet tried to access the images thru Windows - my hubby (technical assistant) is going to help me there.

I did, however, use that same USB port to plug my camera directly into the computer, and that worked fine - tho slower than molasses going uphill in January. I also tried plugging the card reader into the second USB port and had the same problems.

My sense is that this is a Downloader problem, but I don't know why. There is also that mysterious App. must close error message that keeps appearing now and then, but that first showed up when I started having these issues.

Any other ideas?
paula m

[ATR]

Paula,

I have read and re-read this Thread, and it sounds like the issue is with the SanDisk Card Reader. Yes, I know you said it was new and replaced the old. BTW what was the original card reader (Brand and Model)?

If you would post the model number of the San Disk Card Reader and say what your operating system is, I will do some checking into my guess at the San Disk Support web site, unless you want to look into that yourself. I suspect a driver problem or conflict.

I had a similar problem with a new USB mouse. I was about ready to throw out my new USB 4-Port Hub. Glad I did not.

ATR

[paula]

Hi!

This sounds like we are on the right track. My old card reader was a SanDisk, but I don't know what model since I tossed it, thinking it had died. My new card reader is a SanDisk ImageMate 12-in-1. The problems began with the old reader - the green light indicating a connection to the card from the computer flashes or just won't come on at all. The new reader does the same thing. It will read the card, maybe, but it goes in fits and starts only.

Our operating system is Windows XP, Home Edition.

I am terribly untech savvy, so appreciate your looking into this. Thanks so much!

paula m

[paula]

Forgot - the model number of the card reader is SDDR-89.

[ATR]

I did check with SanDisk. Did you say whether your USB connection is via a multi port hub or via USB port built into the computer? For best power to this device, the latter was suggested. But, their best advice was for you to contact them directly when you were at your computer with reader, info, and everything else.

You might want to look at their support and contact area. The following is a FAQ for your reader with Windows XP:

https://www.customernation.com/pls/ps/ps.ps_main?p_host=304&p_supplier=5096&p_parm=PSHPP

It does involve going into the Registry, so think about your strategy--try the procedure or call them first for backup. A call to them before you try the procedure might get quicker and safer results. It is up to you.

If this link does not open to the page with the answer to the FAQ cited, this is the route to follow:
San Disk web site
Support
Info Page
Readers
ImageMate USB
ImageMate SDDR-89
FAQ, the one that is specific for your Reader and Windows XP

ATR






I did check with SanDisk. Did you say whether your USB connection is from a multiport hub or from a USB port built into the computer? For best power to this device, the latter was suggested. But, their best advice was for you to contact them directly when you were at your computer with reader, info, and everything else.

I would call first, but you might want to look at their support and contact area:

https://www.customernation.com/pls/ps/ps.ps_main?p_host=304&p_supplier=5096&p_parm=PSHPP

It does involve going into the Registry, so I think that the chat with SanDisk TS would be the first line of attack. They seem more than eager to get to the core of the matter and resolve it to your satisfaction.

If this link does not open to the page with the answer to the FAQ cited, this is the route to follow:
San Disk web site
Support
Info Page
Readers
ImageMate USB
ImageMate SDDR-89
FAQ, the one that is specific for your Reader and Windows XP

ATR

[ATR]

Sorry, about that. I must not have realized my own strength when I hit the "Submit Reply" button.

ATR

[Chuck S.]

Sorry, about that. I must not have realized my own strength when I hit the "Submit Reply" button.

ATR

ATR, that's okay. Some of us need to read it twice (or more) before it sinks in....

:D

[ATR]

Thanks, Chuck S

I think I was a little too quick to attribute Hercules abilities to my posting technique.

What it turned out to be...my shortcoming for crossing the t's and dotting the i's.....it is that unrequested/unwanted spell checker that showed up this weekend when I was posting. When I go about getting rid of the red underscores for misspelled words or words not in its dictionary, I aim for "Add to dictionary" and am hitting something that is duplicating text instead of getting rid of the red underscores. But, that a whole new Thread for another time to put people to sleep.

ATR

[paula]

Hi!

I am not so sure that this is a problem with the reader. Here's why: I just tried to upload 17 images directly from my G5 to the computer. When the Downloader box popped up, it found the camera and all 17 images, but, when I clicked on Get Photos to finish the process, it froze up. Another time it couldn't find the device, which was still plugged in from the time before. Then it froze up again on my next try. Just for the heck of it, I tried the card reader again, and got much the same behavior. It couldn't find the device, then it could but froze up halfway thru copying the first image.

Now what???
paula m

[ATR]

Did you say whether you are using a multi port USB hub or the USB ports that came built into your computer?

ATR

[GaryK]

Paula


I just had a similar problem but, I was messing with a sound card.
I had 3 devices plugged in to a USB PCI card and the sound card and PCI card were conflicting. So all 3 usb devices were messsing up.

You said you were not tech savy so I doubt you were trying to install a sound card but you could try unplugging any other USB devices and see if that helps.:confused:

[paula]

I am using the USB port on the front of my computer.

[ATR]

Hi Paula,

You said that your system involved networking with which I have not dealt. I pressed the issue of the USB hub because of power considerations.

You have at least a printer and a scanner in your computer system. How are they connected to the computer? What computer ports are you using for them?

Besides the SanDisk card reader, what other USB devices are you using? and all at the same time?

As mentioned, sit down and evaluate the allocation of resources to the different devices either established by you or set up by the computer automatically. I would be interested to hear about what happened when you checked out the suggestions of Chuck S. and Gary K.

ATR