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Notices, Help With Problems and Your Forum Ideas... => Computer Help => Topic started by: Bealman on February 09, 2018, 01:15:36 AM

Title: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: Bealman on February 09, 2018, 01:15:36 AM
Hi Forum computer gurus!

I have a micro SD card from an old phone and can't remember what's on it, but there are probably a heap of photos that I've long forgotten about.

So I acquired a Verbatim Micro SD adapter, thinking  all I had to do was plug it into my laptop and inspect the contents. When I do, I get a satisfactory beep acknowledging that the computer realises there's something plugged in there, and the little symbol comes up on the lower toolbar (Windows Vista).

However, when I go to the Computer window to look at Devices with Removable Storage, there's nothing there! Therefore I can't look, can I.

When I click on the Safely Remove symbol on the lower toolbar, it comes up with "Generic - Multi - Card USB device" which when clicked on allows me to safely remove the adapter card from the laptop.

I'm thinking that the word "Generic" suggests some sort of compatibility problem, but can't really see why it should.

I've tried the little switch on the side of the adapter in both the lock and unlocked positions, all to no effect.

Anyone got any ideas, please?

George
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: railsquid on February 09, 2018, 01:36:09 AM
It's possible the micro SD card is not working, these SD cards do go "bad' sometimes. You could try cleaning the contact strips (if feasible), they could be dirty/tarnished (I've done that with a full-sized SD card before). Do you have another device you can try it in?
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: Bealman on February 09, 2018, 01:45:51 AM
Just looked at my Samsung Tab 3 and it has a micro SD slot. I'll give it a try!

By the way, Bealette spent a night in Tokyo last weekend!  :thumbsup:

George
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: Bealman on February 09, 2018, 01:53:33 AM
ok, just put it in Tab 3. Nothing comes up. When I go to settings - storage - SD card, it just says "Mount SD card. When I click on that, nothing happens.

Does this suggest a bad SD card? Should I try cleaning the contacts with IPA?

Although the contacts look clean enough to me.
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: MalcolmInN on February 09, 2018, 03:04:57 AM
Quote from: Bealman on February 09, 2018, 01:53:33 AM
Tab 3. "Mount SD card. When I click on that, nothing happens.

Does this suggest a bad SD card?
Aint necessarily so.
Dont yet do anything like "scan and correct" or "recover" or "you need to format before,, "  nor any other options your os may suggest yet.

I dunno about Samsungs but "mount" is favoured of unix, linux and maybe Android and Mac. It doesnt sound like FAT Fat16 NTFS etc favoured of Windows.

There are a whole host of (low level) formats available to SD ( and other storage devices) and until you (we!) can discover which your old phone was using we are up a gum tree !

You must gird your loins and explore the minefield of freeware utilities to determine which format is in use
good luck with that !
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: MalcolmInN on February 09, 2018, 03:11:06 AM
unless of course you can remember what your old phone was called ?
I mean by the manufacturer , not in your vernacular !!! lol
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: Bealman on February 09, 2018, 03:13:31 AM
It was either a HTC Desire or a Samsung J3.... one or the other.
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: MalcolmInN on February 09, 2018, 03:39:18 AM
Quote from: Bealman on February 09, 2018, 03:13:31 AM
It was either a HTC Desire or a Samsung J3.... one or the other.
HTC D., looks like an android one, so you are well in with a chance, but it may need you booting to a Linux OS - I suggest Mint Linux  and exploring utilities.

Samsung seem to have been using their own  more exotic linux variations !

Anyway, it does not seem like a Windows box will see it, so over to the morning shift of knowledgeable souls >>> :)
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: Bealman on February 09, 2018, 03:54:53 AM
I could always put the card in my current phone which is also a HTC, and try loading to the computer with a USB cable, I suppose. If it works, that's probably the easiest, I suppose.
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: dave d on February 13, 2018, 03:25:45 PM
If all else fails, try downloading one of the free recovery software packages (eg; Recuva) to see what is on it.
I use RescuePro Deluxe as my "go to" recovery software (though you do have to buy it) :(
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: Paul-H on February 13, 2018, 05:15:17 PM
Interestingly I have had a few Sandisk (Genuine ones) go read only when used in my Samsung Devices, annoyingly they were all 64gb versions and I cant find the receipts for replacement, I try not to buy sandisk products now as a result.
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: njee20 on February 13, 2018, 07:07:12 PM
Can you not just reformat them in a computer?
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: Bealman on February 14, 2018, 04:39:15 AM
I thought reformatting them loses the data?
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: njee20 on February 14, 2018, 07:59:29 AM
Yep. but no reason you can't copy it all first, and Paul was suggesting he'd want replacements, so presumably isn't fussed about the data.
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: Bealman on February 14, 2018, 08:02:13 AM
Yes, I see what you're saying now. SD read only, copy files and then reformat.

Sounds good to me!
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: njee20 on February 14, 2018, 08:03:34 AM
Yes, sorry, doesn't directly help you though. Did you try putting your card back in a phone to read?
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: Paul-H on February 14, 2018, 08:13:19 AM
In my case they won't format because they have set themselves to read only, so although I can copy all the data, I can't format to resolve any issues.

One odd thing is if I just try to delete the files and directories they appear to be deleted but if I remove then replace the card they are still there.

Looking on Sandisk's help pages I suspect it's a common problem as they have a return for replacement link for the exact problem, but even though they are only s couple of months old, I can't find the receipts so can't return them.

Paul
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: njee20 on February 14, 2018, 08:14:34 AM
Bank statement is sufficient proof of purchase, you don't need a till receipt.
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: Paul-H on February 14, 2018, 08:25:08 AM
Unfortunately I paid cash for these over the counter purchases

Oaul
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: njee20 on February 14, 2018, 08:36:38 AM
Cash? How 90s of you ;)

Sounds like you may be scuppered then. At least they're super cheap these days. I remember 128MB cards being over £100.
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: Bealman on February 14, 2018, 08:44:48 AM
Quote from: njee20 on February 14, 2018, 08:03:34 AM
Yes, sorry, doesn't directly help you though. Did you try putting your card back in a phone to read?

No, not yet... getting major building work done at moment, so it's sorta low priority. However I will and post what happens.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: Zogbert Splod on February 14, 2018, 05:58:48 PM
Quote from: Paul-H on February 13, 2018, 05:15:17 PM
Interestingly I have had a few Sandisk (Genuine ones) go read only when used in my Samsung Devices, annoyingly they were all 64gb versions and I cant find the receipts for replacement, I try not to buy sandisk products now as a result.
Yes, me too. And the same device has always worked perfectly well with other brands, including nameless generics.
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: MalcolmInN on February 15, 2018, 01:27:26 AM
Quote from: njee20 on February 14, 2018, 08:36:38 AM
Cash? How 90s of you ;)
:laughabovepost:  :claphappy:

OT : I recently took a load of £1 coins into my bank (52 of them found in various pockets and sofas) but the cash counting machine was broke, so teller had to do it by hand,
I was disappointed when none were handed back as counterfeit, I had been led to believe in statistics that 1 in 30 (or summat like) were, and although I had examined them and found none I had hope of at least 1 souvenir of man's propensity to fiddle easy money :(

I asked if the machine would have been clever and would have rejected any such, she said yes it would have , , , but didnt see the joke when I asked for them all back (not expecting them, they were already in her drawers ! ) to check in the machine later when it was fixed  :angel:

Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: Mito on February 15, 2018, 09:17:12 PM
Why did she put them in her drawers? ???
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: Zogbert Splod on February 15, 2018, 11:38:14 PM
Fancied a bit of a change perhaps?
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: railsquid on February 16, 2018, 01:12:45 AM
Maybe she was planning to spend a penny later?
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: Bealman on February 16, 2018, 05:40:17 AM
Remind me never to ask a serious question in this section again  :D
Title: Re: Micro SD card from phone
Post by: MalcolmInN on February 16, 2018, 12:13:04 PM
 :laughabovepost:     :laughabovepost:     :laughabovepost:

:thumbsup:

Well done chaps, I thought it might cause a chuckle
and apols. to @Bealman (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=255)  :)