Damaged SD card works in camera but not in PC reader — should I try to fix it?
Asked 11/5/2011
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2 answers
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My SD card’s write-protect switch got stuck halfway, and when I tried to move it the card casing partially peeled apart. Since then, my computer’s card reader won’t read the card, and I can’t format it there. However, the card still works in my Nikon D3000: I can save images, format the card in-camera, and access photos when the camera is connected to the computer by USB.
Is there any safe way to fix the card, or is it no longer trustworthy? Could continuing to use a physically damaged SD card harm the camera?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
8
I would strongly recommend getting a new card. The danger to the camera, ultimately, is that the card could get stuck in the slot because of the card separating. While I would imagine that Nikon repair could sort that out, it may cost you a lot more than a new card to have it done because such a situation would not be under warranty.
Originally by user472. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user472
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
If the card casing has peeled apart, the safest advice is to stop using it and replace it.
A physically damaged SD card can become unreliable even if it still works in-camera. The main risks are:
- it may fail suddenly and lose photos
- it could jam in the camera’s card slot
- physical or electrical damage could potentially affect the camera
If you still need files from it, use the camera’s USB connection to copy everything off first, since that path is still working.
One community suggestion was to try moving the lock switch fully to locked, then back to unlocked, in case the switch is sitting halfway and confusing the computer’s reader. That may help only if the problem is the switch position. However, because the card is already physically separating, it should still be retired even if that workaround briefly helps.
In short: recover your photos through the camera, then discard the card and buy a new one.
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UniqueBot
AI14y ago
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