Unable to Read Pictures Stored On Removable Disk on Computer From Camera with SD Card

Affected Products: Peripherals
Affected Operating Systems: Not OS Dependent

ISSUE: When used in the Gateway DC T20 2MP digital camera, a Secure Digital™ (SD) card appears to work fine, but when connected to a computer through a USB connection, the computer cannot read any data off the SD card. The computer recognizes the camera and assigns it a drive letter as a removable disk, but the disk appears to be completely empty or has corrupt files.

RESOLUTION: There could be various reasons for this issue. Check each step below:

  1. Verify that the camera is properly connected to the USB cable and computer, and that the camera is in DISK DRIVE operation. If set properly, the camera should be assigned a drive letter. If the camera does not have a drive letter assigned, you do not have this specific issue and you should continue troubleshooting.

  2. Connect the camera without an SD card to the computer through the USB connection. If the computer can read data on the camera, the camera should be okay. This indicates a difficulty with the SD card.

  3. Connect the camera with the SD card to a different computer through the USB connection. If the computer can read data on the camera, the camera and SD card should be okay. This indicates an issue with the computer that was originally used.

  4. If possible, test the camera with a different SD card. If it works properly, the camera may be okay and there may be a difficulty with the original SD card.

  5. If possible, test the SD card in another device or card reader. If it works properly, the SD card may be okay and there may be an issue with the camera.

  6. Format the SD card in the camera. The lock switch on the SD card needs to be switched to the unlock position prior to following the steps below.

    • Press the MENU button on the camera.
    • Select the SETUP MENU by pressing the PUSH button.
    • Press the down arrow key to FORMAT MEDIA, and then press the right arrow key once. The bottom of the screen should display FORMAT. Press the PUSH button.
    • Press the up arrow key to YES to verify that you wish to format the media, and then press the PUSH button.
    • The media formats. To close when complete, press the MENU button twice.
    • Test the camera on the computer again.

  7. Formatting the card in a computer card reader prior to formatting in the camera may be required for the card to be recognized properly in the computer. Format the SD card in a computer card reader, and then format the card in the camera. The lock switch on the SD card needs to be switched to the unlock position prior to following the steps below.

    • Place the SD card in the memory card reader of a computer, and then use the following steps to format the card.

      • Open My Computer.
      • Right-click on the removable disk drive that the SD card is inserted in, and then click Format.
      • In the Format window, click Start.
      • When warned that all data will be erased, click OK.
      • When prompted that the format is complete, click OK.

    • Place the SD card in the camera, and then use the following steps to format the card.

      • Press the MENU button on the camera.
      • Select the SETUP MENU by pressing the PUSH button.
      • Press the down arrow key to FORMAT MEDIA, and then press the right arrow key once. The bottom of the screen should display FORMAT. Press the PUSH button.
      • Press the up arrow key to YES to verify that you wish to format the media, and then press the PUSH button.
      • The media formats. To close when complete, press the MENU button twice.
      • Test the camera on the computer again.

  8. If you purchased the SD card through a third party, you should try to exchange the SD card at the place of purchase.