Flash Slot Drive Or Compact Flash Drive Worked Once Then Quit Working

[Junkee59]

*  HP Pavilion p7-1228 Desktop PC

*  Windows 7

* Error Message:  You need to format the disk in drive G,  windows was unable to complete the format

Nothing was installed or done to this machine. It's one week old. I just purchased it.

Problem Description:   I purchased this computer one week ago. I took some pictures and downloaded the pics from my cameras memory card and all seemed to go alright. The pics got into my computer (even though the move images function wasn't there anymore in the side bar) . I filed these pics in my pictures library. I messed up a couple of times filing these pics because Windows 7 is different from XP but I managed and the pics are installed in my computer properly.

I tried to install more pics tonight. I took the pics, inserted my cameras memory card into the small slot (Compact Flash Drive) and got the message: YOU NEED TO FORMAT THE DISK IN DRIVE G. OK, I clicked on the format disk message button when it appeared and another message appeared, WINDOWS WAS UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE FORMAT. The auto play doesn't work either. The auto play message box won't appear at all. Just the format message appears and that won't ever format my memory card.

I tried inserting the flash card several times and I always get the same messages. No I do not have a USB cable for my camera. I didn't need one. The memory card always worked on my old computer flawlesly so why bother. Here I am.

What did I do wrong or what is wrong with this new HP computer with Windows 7 installed?

My cameras memory card unloaded all the pics into this computer last night. But tonight it just ain't happening.

[wb2001]

Junkee59,

Camera cards should only be formatted by the camera. After that format, you can take your pictures.

When you insert the card into the card reader, you using a USB device. Removing the card is the problem. If it is not done correctly, you card can be scrambled.  If you just pulled the card OUT, then the damage might happen.

NO matter what type of card, USB flash, USB memory stick,, the principle is the same.

http://voices.yahoo.com/how-safely-eject-usb-flashdrive-389731.html?cat=15

[Junkee59]

The memory card is a San Disk 256mb Compact Flash. SDCFB is written on the back. It appears to be a 1999 disk.

Actually, before I posted this thread I did reformat the San Disk in my camera because I had some pics on it and all the pics dissappeared. My camera did reformat the disk and when I put it in my computer all the pics disappeared again from the disk and those "You Need To Reformat The Disk In Drive G" messages appeared again. I did this several times then came to the HP forum.

I went to the San Disk forum and found this thread. I really don't understand some of it. I understand a little but not about the U3 stuff.

If you would, can you look at this thread and tell me if it will work so I can put my San Disk into my new Windows 7 computer and unload pics. I did read the article you sent me about removing the disks. Right now I need to learn how to get Drive G working again and how to get this computer to accept my cameras San Disk.

http://forums.sandisk.com/t5/All-SanDisk-USB-Flash-Drives/U3-Windows-7-update-now-available/td-p/156...

I'd feel much more comfortable having an HP professional guide me through getting my computer set up to accept this disk than the manufacturers of the San Disk. Sounds like people are having alot of trouble getting their Windows 7 computers to accept the disks.

Thanks!

[wb2001]

U3 is an application launcher: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U3 It is not found on CF media, nor any camera media.

Have you tried a new CF media disk?

This also seems to be a problem with other CF media sizes:

http://forums.sandisk.com/t5/Mobile-memory-professional-cards/CF-Card-failure-a-bit-different/td-p/2...

Have you checked with Device Manager, Disk Drives, for any red or yellow flags?

[Junkee59]

Yes I checked for yellow flags and even though there weren't any on the drive I did a reinstall anyway and it did not fix the problem. Nothing works. My Canon Power Shot G2 is useless. This was a $1000 camera back in the day when it was new.

The compact flash drive did work the first time I put the card in the card reader. Now it won't work at all and so far as I can tell the flash drive is erasing the card. I format the card in my camera, take a few pics, stick it into the drive and the "You Must Format the Disk" message appears, I take out the flash card and put it back into the camera and the camera shows a message "CF Card Error", then I format the card again and the "CF Card Error" message disappears. Then I start this same cycle all over again.

I connected the camera to my computer with the cord and "Nothing". The auto play doesn't come on. My computer just stays silent when the camera is plugged into the computer with the cord.

My HP camera downloads pics just fine with the cord. My HP camera doesn't have a flash drive card so I can't check that out. The auto play comes on and time and time again the pics download.

I do have an HP camera as a backup but I want my $1000 Canon Power Shot G2 working on Windows 7. Windows 7 should not shut out these older cameras. The compact flash should download no matter what and mine does not. The compact flash card downloaded just fine on XP.

I emailed Canon and this is the message they responded with:

"REPLY MESSAGE FROM CANON"

Thank you for your inquiry. We value you as a Canon customer and appreciate the opportunity to assist you. We are sorry to hear you are having difficulties downloading images from your Powershot G2.

James, I understand your concern. The issue you explained regarding the computer not recognizing the memory card will require contacting your computer manufacturer to identify why the slot or computer is not recognizing the memory card.

Unfortunately, since the PowerShot G2 is a little bit older and since it does not support the Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) driver that Windows 7 uses for digital cameras, it is not likely that Canon will, or will even be able to, produce a driver for it to operate directly under Windows 7. This means it will not be possible to connect the camera to the computer and download the images from the camera. You will have to use a memory card reader to transfer the images to the computer. Once the images are uploaded to the computer you can then use the Zoombrowser or the program of your choice to edit the images. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

There is a software update to ZoomBrowser EX that will allow you to use a much newer version of the software to download your images from a card reader and organize them under Windows 7. Unfortunately, we don't have full versions of software available online. You will have to order a replacement CD from our sales department. Once you have the CD you can then download the Zoombrowser Windows 7 update from online. To order directly from Canon, please call our Sales Department at 1-800-828-4040. They are open seven days a week from 8 AM to Midnight.

The update to ZoomBrowser EX 6.5.1 is available on our web site at the following address:

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&tabact=DownloadDetailTabAct&fcategoryi...

ZoomBrowser EX is not required to view the video files shot on your PowerShot G2. Since the camera uses the standard Motion-JPEG and Linear PCM Wave compression methods for the video and audio, just about any media playing software on the market will work. This includes Windows Media Player 12, which is included with Windows 7 by default.

We hope this information is helpful to you. Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance with your PowerShot G2.

Sincerely,

Ronald
Technical Support Representative

I don't know what this zoom browser is yet. Some download program or something like photogallery. I know I will have to spend some cash to get the CD and I still don't know if it will fix the problem yet.

As I stated I'd rather deal with HP and try to get this problem resolved before I go out and spend money on things that "Won't work".

All I know is my Canon Power Shot G2 should work. There is nothing wrong with the camera itself or I don't think there is at this stage of the game and it worked well on XP time and time again. It just stopped working when I changed over to Windows 7.

Thanks! I hope we can resolve this problem so everyone else with expensive older camera can keep using them. My HP camera works just fine but I really like my expensive late 1990's Canon Power Shot G2 and want to keep using it. It just keeps cranking out great pics time and time again.

P.S.  My first HP camera had the power button go bad. I still have it and I would like to get it fixed but don't know what to do about it. My second HP camera I just keep for backup and I'm using it now until my Canon Power Shot G2 gets going on Windows 7