Develop Bugs

microSD card corrupted...

I decided to replace the 512 MB card in my Cingular 8525 with a 2 GB card. When I put the 512 card in its adaptor, the PC read the directory, showed a FAT format, but would not copy/read/or otherwise manipulate any of the files. I plugged the card back into the 8525 and found that it couldn't even see it. Giving up on any kind of file recovery, I tried to reformat it in the PC, but then IT couldn't detect the card! After I played with it awhile, I finally got it to start the format process, but it always failed just before the "green line got to the end" and, after several attempts, it reported "disk cannot be formatted."
Is there any way I can save this card, or is it a (VERY small) boat anchor?

I've seen yesterday in the Sandisk site and somebody told me that they have some kind of software tool (file recover, unformat, etc.), that's very capable, unfortunately it is not free, there's a trial version (does not allow to save any files). Sofware's name is "Rescue Pro", if you can get yourself a copy you might give it a try.
Another thing about an SD (in my experience), I'm talking about a Verbatim 512MB SD, i borrow it to a friend, when he was giving it back, just cancelled all his things up, stopped the card reader (from XP), extracted the SD and it was dead, fortunately I had kept my proof of purchase and they (Verbatim) exchanged it with a new one (in europe the warranty is at least 2 year long), they asked me to send it to Ireland to check if it could be recovered and within three weeks (just because there was christmas in the middle) I got a new one back.
hope this helps

Try putting it in a Digital Camera with SD Slot (put in SD Adapter first;-))
Then format it via your Digital Camera
Or
Download VaioSoft Recovery Manager and try to format with that one
http://vaiosoft.com/products/recoverymanager.htm
Eelcol

that link is not working please post another link for that software

What PQI support suggests
I´ve had trouble with PQI miniSD cards, so I asked support from PQI on corrupted files, this is their answer in order to check if the card is damaged or not and includes several tips on using memory cards, it´s alittle bit long to read, but maybe it worths, so here it goes:
Some hints of using flash memory cards
1. Do NOT remove the memory card while it is operating, otherwise it may be
damaged.
2. Do NOT turn off the device, while the operation of writing /reading is
not completed.
3. When the battery power of system is low, do not write to the memory card to prevent loss of data.
4. Make sure the device (card reader/phone/camera/pda/camcorder) has finished reading/writing to the card before you take another shot/turn it off or the data will be corrupt/lost and the card will be damaged. You can tell by the device indicator light where it flashes when it is reading and writing to the card. Wait until the indicator light is off and stops flashing before you take another shot/turn the device off or remove the card/drive.
Before you continue, please make sure you have a reader that can read and write to 2GB card properly. DO NOT use in built-in reader on laptop and desktop, or old readers made 2 years or longer ago, because these readers can only use up to 1GB card. I recommend using it in external USB 2.0 reader that is made within 1 year ago.
If you do not have such reader, then connect the device (gps/camera/pda/camcorder) to the computer with USB cable and the card inserted and if works you should see new drive letters show up under My Computer.
Otherwise, if used in devices that do not support the 2GB card, the card will be damaged.
Please try the following troubleshooting guide first and see if it can solve the problem. Try one step at a time. If one works, then you can stop trying. You don't need to try all of them.
The following guide will erase all the data on the drive/card. So make sure you backup your data first before you try the steps below:
1. First, remove the card/drive from your computer.
Download the low level format tool below to your computer.
http://hddguru.com/download/software/HDDGURU-Low-Level-Format-Tool/LLFsetup.2.36.1181.exe
Install the program into your computer.
You should see a new icon called "Hard Disk Low Level Format Tool".
a. Insert the card/drive and run the program.
IMPORTANT!!! MAKE SURE YOU SELECT THE CORRECT DISK OR YOUR COMPUTER MAY NOT START LATER!!!
It should shows as BUS: USB. Select the BUS: USB. Also check the size and make sure.
If you don't see BUS: USB, that means the card is unreadable and need to be replaced. In this case, please STOP here and close the program and DO NOT continue below.
b. Then click Continue->Low Level Format->Format this Device.
c. Wait for a few minutes until it finish successfully with a message of asking you to partition and format it. (if you see formatting error, you can stop the formatting and the card needs to be replaced.)
d. Flash Card:
Put the card back to your device (camera/phone/pda/camcorder) and then use the format utility in the device to format the card.
Please let me know your test results. Thanks.
Reference: Program homepage
http://hddguru.com/content/en/software/2006.04.12-HDD-Low-Level-Format-Tool/
2. Please go to the site below:
http://www.sdcard.org/Downloads.aspx
Please try to download the software sdfv2000.exe (for windows only) and the manual for your reference.
Install the sdfv2000.exe in your computer, then insert the card into the card reader (if you do not have reader, you can try to connect your device to the computer with USB cable) and then run it:
a. Check the drive letter and also the size and make sure it is the correct card.
b. Click Option:
Format Type: Full Erase ON
Format Size Adjustment: ON
c. Click OK, then click Format. Wait until it finish.
d. You will be prompted to remove the card after it finish. Then go ahead and insert it in your (camera/pda/camcorder etc) and see.
16. T-mobile MDA (cannot format 2GB mini SD card)
Please install the software below to your phone (you can download the free trial):
http://www.pdatopsoft.com/PocketPC/StorageTools---Analyze,-Defragment,-Verify,-Repair-and-Format
Then use the Storage Tools software above to format the card and see.

does this method also apply on mini sd and mmc rs dv cards?????

Actually this was given for miniSD´s
Awais said:
does this method also apply on mini sd and mmc rs dv cards?????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume that this applies to all types of SD cards, I don´t know about the others.

Awais said:
that link is not working please post another link for that software
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://vaiosoft.com
goto recovery manager
Eelco

luiggi said:
I assume that this applies to all types of SD cards, I don´t know about the others.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is there any technical differnece between mmc and sd cards???/
cuz we can also use mmc or rs dv cards in htc devices but sd card is not useable for nokia and other mmc supported sets

Thanks for all of the input! I tried formating it with my camera with no success, then took the easy way out: I took it back where I bought it and got it replaced.
I'm filing this information away for next time, though! Thanks again.

Awais said:
is there any technical differnece between mmc and sd cards???/
cuz we can also use mmc or rs dv cards in htc devices but sd card is not useable for nokia and other mmc supported sets
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SD cards where made to improve the lack of speed of MMC cards, also they include the writing protection/lock, it is the small switch you see in one side of the SD.
Also, SD cards are slightly different from MMCs phisically, SDs are thicker than MMCs (that's why you cannot put them in a Nokia phone), the electrical specs should by backwards compatible (aside from phisycal differences).
Recently some updatings/improvements have been done to MMC specs, they claim to be the fastest memory card technology available, there are MMC plus, etc.
I know all these things that I read recently (I just can't remember where).
hope this info can be used, and one last thing is that information on this subject can be found easily on the net, it's juest a matter of look for it, personally I like a lot an electronics web site: www.epanorama.net

thanks for the useful info and that link too

hmm today i got a miniSD topram, 2gb and it worked fine it was fat format i believe so i went to the winxp format utility and formated with fat32 16k everything seemed to work fine then i put it in the pda phone and nothing it did not see it, so then i put it back in the PC to format back to fat and nothing it does not see the card now at all
what happend i have been trying a million apps to some how force a format but none have worked, windows pretty much hangs while trying to read the card and at end says there is no media there, so do other apps

Low level format
losborn said:
I'm filing this information away for next time, though! Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Low level format tool once done good job for me
http://www.killdisk.com/

I would proberbly say its fubarred, but you could try using software like SCAN DISK and carios other things.

Memory card fixes
Guys
We've seen this issue quite a bit lately.. Memory card simply locks up Windows when inserted.. It seems to be related to a flakey FAT table on the card. Formatting does nothing... Disk manager can't deal with it either..
The solution we found that worked was to use Paragon Partition Tools to remove the partition table on the card.. Recreate it.. then reformat..
Unless the card is physically cactus, it works every time..
Good luck!
Andy
www.pressdigital.com.au
Press Digital Support Team

???
any link for a free-ware partitioning tool !!!
wanna know more about erasing and recreating partition table on micro-sd cards

http://hddguru.com/download/software....2.36.1181.exe
Thank you, Luigi.
This work perfectly. My microSD 2GB was formated a 1GB and with this program now is all OK. I have microSD a 2GB again.

memory card recovery
This tool can help you to recover your files from damaged media.
www softorbits com/flash-drive-recovery

This device cannot be accessed because it is smaller than 65535 sectors.
:crying: It says "This device cannot be accessed because it is smaller than 65535 sectors" when I tried to low level format using LLFT.
---------- Post added at 07:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:08 PM ----------
losborn said:
Thanks for all of the input! I tried formating it with my camera with no success, then took the easy way out: I took it back where I bought it and got it replaced.
I'm filing this information away for next time, though! Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good for you. But I'm still getting headache as I can't contact the manufacturer.
I had formatted the micro SD card in ext4 format for using with app2SD. I had it in 2 partitions.
And then after a while, the card stopped functioning (with so little and useless 30MB storage).
I had tried things like recovery, formatting, partition recovery.
Nothing can return it to original state. I just want it to be blank. It's ok I lost all the data.

How to restore SD card

After running Myns Warn Doughnut from the miniSD I can no longer delete any files or reformat the miniSD card. I've tried formating it when synced in WM6 and using Format Flash 2.85. Nothing can touch this card. It reports no errors when deleting or formating...but no files are ever removed. What's the deal? There is no "write protect" switch on a mini, right?

tonyzoc said:
After running Myns Warn Doughnut from the miniSD I can no longer delete any files or reformat the miniSD card. I've tried formating it when synced in WM6 and using Format Flash 2.85. Nothing can touch this card. It reports no errors when deleting or formating...but no files are ever removed. What's the deal? There is no "write protect" switch on a mini, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, there's no switch (unless you use SD adapter and try to format from computer). Probably the best option is to use card reader and to format card from the computer.
P.S. I thought HTC TyTN II (Kaiser) supports only MicroSD, but you've mentioned MiniSD, strange

Make sure your micro SD card adapter which you will undoubtedly use in your card reader does not have a lock switch, i've been caught out by that before.

Sorry...microSD....(I use miniSD on my Tornado)...
I've misplaced my micro to SD adapter so I'm trying to format on the phone itself, either through ActiveSync browsing or on the phone with Flash Format. Guess I'll need to pick up an adapter. Why can't I delete any files? Maybe the card is defective?

THe card may indeed have a problem, but a reformat using a card adaptor/card reader should fix this, had a similar problem with an older 2gb SD, reformatting sorted that out.
Running from SD does raise the risk of a bad block failure, since SD cards are really storage media, using them in the same way as an HDD makes it more likely to wear quicker than normal.

The plot thickens....
Ok...I got my Transcend SD card adapter...the microSD reports to be write protected....
I tried the following with the SD Card adapter on my MSi Wind Netbook:
Formating...it won't let me.
Booting Puppy Linux and tried GParted to blow away the partition...it wouldn't let me.
Booting into OSX and trying to detroy or format the partition with Disk Utility...no dice.
I tried another card, a 128Mb, and it worked ok...although I did have some trouble getting it to read initially.
Could have a bad SD Card adapter....
Or a defective microSD card...
I was able to format the 128Mb microSD on the phone with Flash Format with no problem.
Is it possible the 8gb microSD is write protected at a file level (actual permissions). I did try changing them in Puppy Linux.
So $40 on eBay gets me a 16gb Class 4....hmmmm
P.S. more info:
I can read the card with no problem both on the phone and the computer.
I do have Android running off the microSD.

One more comment....
The Android boot menu offers an option to "Fix Permissions". I tried that and it didn't change anything...but!
If there are permissions to fix, then the Android on the SD card must be setting permissions on the install. Maybe this is the cause of the read only status of the microSD card (?). Is there a way to remove Android from the microSD card via that menu? or is there a command line ability to change permissions of the whole microSD card recursively?
I already ordered a 16gb card and I'm going to throw the problem one away as soon as I get the new one, but I'm hoping to salvage the old one if possible....also, I don't want this same issue to happen on the new card.

The only way I can think of is perhaps to repartition the card, that should, in theory, wipe everything.
Since you must be using a card adaptor, doe this have a write protect tab? some do, if not I'd check to see if there is an obstruction that is somehow making the card reader think that the Sd is write protected.
Regards 'fix permissions', this fixes the file permissions of a number of system files, usually only needed after installing an update. I'm not sure how this would make an SD write protected, since as far as I know it only fixes the owner and user bits of the files.

tonyzoc said:
One more comment....
The Android boot menu offers an option to "Fix Permissions". I tried that and it didn't change anything...but!
If there are permissions to fix, then the Android on the SD card must be setting permissions on the install. Maybe this is the cause of the read only status of the microSD card (?). Is there a way to remove Android from the microSD card via that menu? or is there a command line ability to change permissions of the whole microSD card recursively?
I already ordered a 16gb card and I'm going to throw the problem one away as soon as I get the new one, but I'm hoping to salvage the old one if possible....also, I don't want this same issue to happen on the new card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd do like that:
Boot Linux (Live CD or installed system (if you have it)).
1. Enter command (into terminal): sudo gparted
I. Try to unmount MicroSD (not to eject)
II. Delete partition
III. Save changes
IV. Create new partition
V. Save changes
2. If gParted failed, then go to System -> Administration -> Disk utility and try to do the same steps.
3. Enter command: sudo nautilus (or another file browser).
If you still won't be able to delete data - problem definitely isn't in the permissions.
4. Maybe bad SD adapter. You should find someone who has normal card reader (sorry, I live too far from you ) which supports reading directly from MicroSD (without SD adapter).
EDIT:
5. Some adapters and older card readers doesn't support MicroSDHC. Cards up to 2 GB are simple MicroSD and you won't have problems even with old readers.
Starting from 4 GB there's only MicroSDHC (HC stands for High Capacity) cards. This technology is newer and that's why some adapters (maybe even HTC TyTN II) might face some problems.

RE: Card
Hi,
plug it into PC with linux open terminal (firt look to device id) and write.
$sudo mkfs fat 32/dev/sdb - SUDO(superuser do) MKFS- FORMATE !!! , format, /dev/-device which U formate.
BUT DETECT first what /dev/is sdcard.
OR do it thru GPARTED.

Write protect tab i on the adapter s not an issue. I tested it with another card and it works fine...also I can't write to or format (using Flash Format) the microSD on the phone without an adatper. Also, I tried repartitioning with GParted off a Puppy Linux boot, with DiskUtility on a Mac OSX boot, and with fdisk on a windows boot. The disk is untouchable.

I tried this with puppy linux with has gparted on it. Thought the disk is recognize (sdc1) , after I dismount it doesn't show up at all in gparted. I can't select the drive as it's not seen.
I also tried a low level format with HDDGURU Low Level Format tool. I tried deleting the partition with DiskUtility on OSX and Windows Disk Manager....no dice.
The adpater I have is the Transcend adapter that came with the card. Also, It works fine with 2 other cards I have (128mb and 2 gb) so I doubt it's the adapter.
Vytelo said:
I'd do like that:
Boot Linux (Live CD or installed system (if you have it)).
1. Enter command (into terminal): sudo gparted
I. Try to unmount MicroSD (not to eject)
II. Delete partition
III. Save changes
IV. Create new partition
V. Save changes
2. If gParted failed, then go to System -> Administration -> Disk utility and try to do the same steps.
3. Enter command: sudo nautilus (or another file browser).
If you still won't be able to delete data - problem definitely isn't in the permissions.
4. Maybe bad SD adapter. You should find someone who has normal card reader (sorry, I live too far from you ) which supports reading directly from MicroSD (without SD adapter).
EDIT:
5. Some adapters and older card readers doesn't support MicroSDHC. Cards up to 2 GB are simple MicroSD and you won't have problems even with old readers.
Starting from 4 GB there's only MicroSDHC (HC stands for High Capacity) cards. This technology is newer and that's why some adapters (maybe even HTC TyTN II) might face some problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

That pretty much confirms it then, I'm afraid the SD is no more, it has shuffled of this mortal coil, it has ceased to be, it is an ex-SD card.

[Q] Why does my goldcard want to format?

just got the DESIRE HD yesterday and ive been trying to goldcard it all day, im not a complete noob (ive had the X10, HTC dual, htc snap,htc hero), but im having a noob moment....
Its something im doing wrong when im goldcarding.......
*i use gold card finder to get the reversed mmc2 then i get the .img from the site
*i start up the hex editor in Win7 (64bit with admin perm) pull up both the flash disk and image.
*i have modified the flash disk in a card reader AND via the phone
*ive copied th .img file and replaced the lines from 000 to 0170 and saved .
*BUT every time the card becomes unusable, EVERY TIME.
*i have 2x 8gb stock cards and an 16gb sandisk card,
*each 1 of them does not work.
GRRRRRRRRR
my phone is unbranded purchsed in NZ, with no branding but i get the CID error so i have to goldcard
ANY HELP would be soooooo rad

Did you select your SD as physical disk? Did you do a full format to your card (FAT32) before starting the process? Try those..

ill give that a try thanks

jkoljo said:
Did you select your SD as physical disk? Did you do a full format to your card (FAT32) before starting the process? Try those..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks u heaps it worked i wasnt selecting the logical partition

Mystery waiting for solution! [MicroSDHC]

Hi well respected xda community!
Recently i faced with a very uncommon card reading/writing problem. Here is the story:
I'm using a Sandisk Micro SDHC Class 4 8Gb card with my HTC Legend (Android 2.2)
When i'm trying to write/copy data to the card i got the "unexpectedly removed SD card" message. Of course at first i thought it just need a format. I did it with default windows 7 format (FAT32 default allocation unit size) but nothing changed.
Here comes the interesting part:
It's not a common card failure, when the card connected to the PC with SD adapter+card reader i can fully use it, write, read, and copy without errors. I made some analysis with proper programs and no bad sector was found. Everything went fine. If i copy data to the card from the PC with card reader its functional with the phone. I can read pdfs, listen to music from SD Card but! if i try to copy an app from the phone or write random data on the card it's get "removed" and i get the error. It's the same on Samsung Monte.
I tried to format it with NTFS, FAT32 32k,16k, 8k, 4k allocation unit size. Tried several applications like: SD Formatter 3.1, MiniTool Partition Wizard etc. to format. And of course i did format with the phone.
Here is what may help:
1.) A good and trusted memory card analyzing program.
2.) Format tips and tricks for android, HTC. (Maybe some awesome free format program will do the trick)
3.) A fully functional microSDHC 8 Gb class 4 - Sector, Cylinder and allocation size log file. (So i can format mine with the exact same numbers.)
4.) A Genius who knows whats the solution If it's you, please let me know!
Later i'll attach the log file from the analyzer and some information about the card. (Currently i'm at work.)
///Sorry if posted in the inappropriate topic, but found this the most related.///

Solving my own problem.
As soon as i get home i'll try this program:
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/chkflsh-checks-your-flash-drives-on-windows/
And this:
http://crystalmark.info/software/CrystalDiskMark/index-e.html
Also, i found and interesting post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1010228
Maybe i have to change something with the LBA thingy.

found it
I found a sector error on the memory card. Used Flash Drive/Card Tester and Chkflsh programms. Mystery solved
Closing thread.

[Q] unable to mount sdcard or even format it

Had evervolv on htc desire, but recently I got system process error, finally managed to boot into recovery, but can not fix or even format it.
it mentioned usb brick, but tried to 'usb unbrick' and got message "unable to determine your CID, please report to ext4'
please help

used the instruction #13 from 1st thread and got this message:
"The system can not find the path specified"
64 bit system

error mounting Sd card
This is very strange and have tried but do not quite understand adk tools
The first issues is that the SD card wont mount:
Sometimes in recovery i can access the card and other times I cant;
I have tried to format it in windows, but doesnt allow me to.
I have tried using the tools on recovery to fix it, but hasnt fixed it.
The second issue is that when I try to reboot it says usb brick and fix it before i can reboot,
but this has not fixed the card.
can somebody please help me with this issue as I do not want to purchase another card.

Can you at least read your sd card, preferably in a card reader to remove any phone element? If so back up the whole card to PC
Then I suggest a complete reformat of the sdcard using gparted live cd: a single FAT32 (on the left) and then maximum 2GB ext4 partition. Again do this in a card reader to remove any phone or driver issues.
Copy contents back to sdcard afterwards.
If none of this works then you may simply have a bad corrupted sdcard. Although it's not a great solution to buy a new one, make sure you stick to a reputable brand, even those are not that expensive nowadays.

No .. I have tried several times, but pc can not read it.
I do have the contents copied though.
any suggestions, as pc can not read card.

eddiehk6 said:
Can you at least read your sd card, preferably in a card reader to remove any phone element? If so back up the whole card to PC
Then I suggest a complete reformat of the sdcard using gparted live cd: a single FAT32 (on the left) and then maximum 2GB ext4 partition. Again do this in a card reader to remove any phone or driver issues.
Copy contents back to sdcard afterwards.
If none of this works then you may simply have a bad corrupted sdcard. Although it's not a great solution to buy a new one, make sure you stick to a reputable brand, even those are not that expensive nowadays.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The card is Sandisk.
I can sometimes access the card on the pc using the usb, but not all the time

Well at least you have the data backed up, so nothing to lose except an sdcard.
- Are you using a card reader?
- Have you tried gparted and a card reader? This has the best chance of working.
If you can't read or see the card by any means, then not much else to suggest but a new card.

Can see it sometimes using usb connected to phone.
will try your suggestion shortly and let you know

phone say safe to remove sd card.

eddiehk6 said:
Can you at least read your sd card, preferably in a card reader to remove any phone element? If so back up the whole card to PC
Then I suggest a complete reformat of the sdcard using gparted live cd: a single FAT32 (on the left) and then maximum 2GB ext4 partition. Again do this in a card reader to remove any phone or driver issues.
Copy contents back to sdcard afterwards.
If none of this works then you may simply have a bad corrupted sdcard. Although it's not a great solution to buy a new one, make sure you stick to a reputable brand, even those are not that expensive nowadays.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
htc_desire_luke said:
phone say safe to remove sd card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
using a card reader i get "please insert disk into removable media"