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Card Reader Disappeared?

Card Reader Disappeared?

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  #1  
Old 06-07-10, 07:46 PM
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Card Reader Disappeared?
The memory card reader on my computer is no longer visible. Normally when I look at "computer" I could see drives C through I. Today I can only see drives C, D and E. The missing drives are all the slots of the memory card reader. How can I start narrowing down if this is a hardware or software problem?

My computer is a Dell i530-111B running Windows Vista. The problem started sometime between tonight and last night. There was no change in the problem after restarting the computer.
 
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Old 06-08-10, 09:07 AM
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I've checked device manager and it does not show anything not working.
 
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Old 06-08-10, 09:13 AM
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Does it show the USB hub that the reader is connected to?

If so...I'd just delete it in device manager and let it reinstall after a restart...

Make sure any connector cables are firmly seated also..
 
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Old 06-08-10, 09:36 AM
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It may have just failed. My SATA controller recently just failed on my MOBO. Which was a bummer because I thought my drive failed. Can only run IDE now. Stupid 80GB drive.
Maybe just pickup a USB card reader.
 
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Old 06-08-10, 10:34 AM
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Thanks for the tips. It's my home computer so it will be this evening before I can check.

My card reader has 2 USB ports. When I run a cable from the USB port on the card reader to my camera I can see the folders on the CF card but no files inside. When I use Windows Explorer I can see and copy the pictures so I think the USB portion of it is working.
 
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Old 06-08-10, 12:38 PM
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Have you tried doing the scan for new hardware? I think it comes up as an option on the right click of the device manager. If the PC just lost it then that might make it find it again.
 
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Old 06-08-10, 12:42 PM
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Scan for new hardware turned up nothing, and I don't really know what the card reader is called so I did not have luck looking for it manually.
 
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Old 06-08-10, 02:56 PM
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Thanks for all the help. I unplugged the card reader and plugged it back in and now it works. Probably just a loose or corroded connector.

Who knew fixing a computer would be like working on a 1960's British sports car.
 
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Old 06-08-10, 06:33 PM
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Lucas must be doing the cables now...lol
 
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Old 06-09-10, 05:09 AM
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Hey, at least you could take Lucas switches apart, clean them and put them back together for a short term fix! Remember that on my TR6 days.
 
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Old 06-09-10, 05:41 AM
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Never go anywhere without a buddy (in another car) and a hammer. The hammer to pound on the starter, solenoid and anything else that looked electrical and the buddy to give you a ride home.
 
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