8GB card problem- computer won't recognize it

[rorygentry]

OK, so I just bought my LG Voyager and an 8GB card. I formatted the card in my phone, then put the card into the SD adapter. I popped the SD adapter into my computer, and... nothing. Nothing happens at all. Even when I go to "my computer," it doesn't show up.

If I throw an SD card from my camera into the computer, it sees it. Why won't it see my 8GB Micro SD card? (It is a SanDisk brand.)

Once I get the card working...
I want to transfer some photos from my laptop to my Voyager, so that I can use them for backgrounds, etc. Are there any tricks I should know about doing this?

[admin_mvu]

I haven't tried using 8GB SD on my laptop/desktop but it sounds like your card reader is not capable of reading an 8GB capacity.

Maybe there is an updated driver for your card reader you might want to try.

[rorygentry]

Originally Posted by admin_mvu

I haven't tried using 8GB SD on my laptop/desktop but it sounds like your card reader is not capable of reading an 8GB capacity.

Maybe there is an updated driver for your card reader you might want to try.

Hmmm... Interesting diagnosis. The computer is only 3 months old, so I should HOPE that it would read the cards that are on the market! I'll see what I can find out about that. Let me know if you have any other ideas.

[admin_mvu]

I don't know for sure but it's a certainly possible. 8GB flash memory is fairly new.

If it works for you, let us know here.

[rorygentry]

It's official. You're a frickin' genius. You guessed the problem on the first try.

I contacted Gateway support, and told them my problem. It was a lengthy conversation, but the main response was:

Please note that the Media Card reader has corresponding limit depending on the memory card type that you are trying to insert.

Customer support went on to say that the memory card reader installed on the computer only handles cards up to 512MB... although I've been regularly using 2GB cards in it. I'm not sure that the customer service knew what he was talking about, but I think the underlying diagnosis was correct. 8GB= too big.

...and I'm pretty ticked off that a new computer isn't compatible with accessories sold on the market today. I'll never buy another Gateway.

Thanks for your help!

[admin_mvu]

Lucky guess. I think you solved the problem yourself when you said smaller card works on your computer but the 8GB didn't.

You might still want to try getting an external card reader that connects through USB. They are pretty cheap and may support larger memory card.

[rorygentry]

I went down to my local Verizon shop yesterday and picked up the Mobile Card Reader/ Writer (SanDisk) that plugs into the USB port. Popped my 8GB Micro SD into it, added some photos, and was able to download the photos to my phone when I re-installed the Micro SD.

The reader seems to handle the 8GB micro SD fine, although the Verizon website says it handles up to 4GB cards. Maybe they just need to update the site?

So... Problem solved! Hope this info helps someone else in the future.

[admin_mvu]

Thanks for the report.