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Anyone with card locked error? Maybe fw error? G7X Mk III 1.0.1

Started Sep 3, 2020 | Questions
Dodi73
Dodi73 Senior Member • Posts: 2,058
Anyone with card locked error? Maybe fw error? G7X Mk III 1.0.1

Hello everyone

I have a G7X Mk III that suddenly doesn't recognize any SD card I use inside. It was some time I wasn't using it so I don't understand what happened.

It keeps warning "card locked for writing" and it's obviously a lie because I have also used and formatted on other cameras and I had no issues at all. Firmware is 1.0.1 and I suspect it's something related to a false problem. Is there any way to reset firmware before retrying to insert a card and update?

Since a friend of mine time ago used the card on his D7200 I thought it was something related to the "format" of the card and I tried formatting from this utility but I had the same results. Note on my Nikon D500 the card works normally and could format there as well.

I'd like to update the firmware but without the card, I'm not sure what to do, both procedures I've found seem to need one card inserted.

Thanks in advance.

-- hide signature --

All the best from northern Italy, Dino.
I'm on the NIK side of photography.

ANSWER:
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Canon G7 X III Nikon D500 Nikon D7200
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Sue Anne Rush
Sue Anne Rush Senior Member • Posts: 6,285
Re: Anyone with card locked error? Maybe fw error? G7X Mk III 1.0.1

I don't have your camera but check your SD card ..... see if you switch it to Lock to unlock ...... see if this helps ?

Dodi73 wrote:

Hello everyone

I have a G7X Mk III that suddenly doesn't recognize any SD card I use inside. It was some time I wasn't using it so I don't understand what happened.

It keeps warning "card locked for writing" and it's obviously a lie because I have also used and formatted on other cameras and I had no issues at all. Firmware is 1.0.1 and I suspect it's something related to a false problem. Is there any way to reset firmware before retrying to insert a card and update?

Since a friend of mine time ago used the card on his D7200 I thought it was something related to the "format" of the card and I tried formatting from this utility but I had the same results. Note on my Nikon D500 the card works normally and could format there as well.

I'd like to update the firmware but without the card, I'm not sure what to do, both procedures I've found seem to need one card inserted.

Thanks in advance.

 Sue Anne Rush's gear list:Sue Anne Rush's gear list
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Dodi73
OP Dodi73 Senior Member • Posts: 2,058
Re: Anyone with card locked error? Maybe fw error? G7X Mk III 1.0.1

Thanks but this is the very first thing I did and as I told you, I also used the same card on other cameras, and there it works.

-- hide signature --

All the best from northern Italy, Dino.
I'm on the NIK side of photography.

Dodi73
OP Dodi73 Senior Member • Posts: 2,058
Re: Anyone with card locked error? Maybe fw error? G7X Mk III 1.0.1

I am using a 32 GB Lexar 2000x SDHC II 3 - 10 card

-- hide signature --

All the best from northern Italy, Dino.
I'm on the NIK side of photography.

Dodi73
OP Dodi73 Senior Member • Posts: 2,058
Re: Anyone with card locked error? Maybe fw error? G7X Mk III 1.0.1

Maybe I'm worrying for nothing. While the card can't be WRITTEN, at least it can be READ, so I've copied the new firmware and updating it right now. fingers crossed !

-- hide signature --

All the best from northern Italy, Dino.
I'm on the NIK side of photography.

Dodi73
OP Dodi73 Senior Member • Posts: 2,058
Re: Anyone with card locked error? Maybe fw error? G7X Mk III 1.0.1

No, it did update to 1.2.0 but the card is still "protected from writing".

I'll try to order a brand new card before sending the camera in for checking.

-- hide signature --

All the best from northern Italy, Dino.
I'm on the NIK side of photography.

Sue Anne Rush
Sue Anne Rush Senior Member • Posts: 6,285
Re: Anyone with card locked error? Maybe fw error? G7X Mk III 1.0.1

Yes order a new card...... that card may be bad and not your camera :))))

Dodi73 wrote:

No, it did update to 1.2.0 but the card is still "protected from writing".

I'll try to order a brand new card before sending the camera in for checking.

 Sue Anne Rush's gear list:Sue Anne Rush's gear list
Canon PowerShot G9 Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ1000 II Canon PowerShot Zoom Canon EOS 7D Canon EOS Rebel T7 +4 more
rochester21 Senior Member • Posts: 1,212
Your camera is broken

Send it to warranty.

Dodi73
OP Dodi73 Senior Member • Posts: 2,058
Re: Anyone with card locked error? Maybe fw error? G7X Mk III 1.0.1

Sue Anne Rush wrote:

Yes order a new card...... that card may be bad and not your camera :))))

Dodi73 wrote:

No, it did update to 1.2.0 but the card is still "protected from writing".

I'll try to order a brand new card before sending the camera in for checking.

I hope so but in the meantime, I tried with other cards - 4 different SD cards, both Lexar and Sandisk - and they all end up with the same answer.

-- hide signature --

All the best from northern Italy, Dino.
I'm on the NIK side of photography.

reyalp Regular Member • Posts: 201
Re: Anyone with card locked error? Maybe fw error? G7X Mk III 1.0.1

Dodi73 wrote:

I hope so but in the meantime, I tried with other cards - 4 different SD cards, both Lexar and Sandisk - and they all end up with the same answer.

The "lock" tab on the card is just a piece of plastic, there's no electronics for it on the card. Instead, the card slot in the camera has a small switch that engages with the lock tab, and the camera firmware uses the state of the switch to decide if the card is locked.

The switch could be stuck or defective. Since four different cards show locked, it's unlikely to be a card problem. In some cases, users have reported resolving issues like this by prodding the switch gently with a toothpick or similar (see https://chdk.setepontos.com/index.php?topic=3374.msg31113#msg31113 for example).

However, if your camera is still under warranty, getting Canon to fix it may be a better option.

ETA: If you do decide to poke around in the SD slot, it's a good idea to take the battery out too.

Dodi73
OP Dodi73 Senior Member • Posts: 2,058
Re: Anyone with card locked error? Maybe fw error? G7X Mk III 1.0.1

reyalp wrote:

Dodi73 wrote:

I hope so but in the meantime, I tried with other cards - 4 different SD cards, both Lexar and Sandisk - and they all end up with the same answer.

The "lock" tab on the card is just a piece of plastic, there's no electronics for it on the card. Instead, the card slot in the camera has a small switch that engages with the lock tab, and the camera firmware uses the state of the switch to decide if the card is locked.

The switch could be stuck or defective. Since four different cards show locked, it's unlikely to be a card problem. In some cases, users have reported resolving issues like this by prodding the switch gently with a toothpick or similar (see https://chdk.setepontos.com/index.php?topic=3374.msg31113#msg31113 for example).

Great info, thanks will check it.

However, if your camera is still under warranty, getting Canon to fix it may be a better option.

ETA: If you do decide to poke around in the SD slot, it's a good idea to take the battery out too.

-- hide signature --

All the best from northern Italy, Dino.
I'm on the NIK side of photography.

Dodi73
OP Dodi73 Senior Member • Posts: 2,058
Re: Anyone with card locked error? Maybe fw error? G7X Mk III 1.0.1

reyalp wrote:

Dodi73 wrote:

I hope so but in the meantime, I tried with other cards - 4 different SD cards, both Lexar and Sandisk - and they all end up with the same answer.

The "lock" tab on the card is just a piece of plastic, there's no electronics for it on the card. Instead, the card slot in the camera has a small switch that engages with the lock tab, and the camera firmware uses the state of the switch to decide if the card is locked.

The switch could be stuck or defective. Since four different cards show locked, it's unlikely to be a card problem. In some cases, users have reported resolving issues like this by prodding the switch gently with a toothpick or similar (see https://chdk.setepontos.com/index.php?topic=3374.msg31113#msg31113 for example).

However, if your camera is still under warranty, getting Canon to fix it may be a better option.

ETA: If you do decide to poke around in the SD slot, it's a good idea to take the battery out too.

I tried to check right now but my sight doesn't help, and the fact it's deeply recessed in a very narrow /tight space doesn't help either. I think I saw the switch and tried to move with a toothpick, but it's really too hard being able to put under a favorable light to work properly. I'm only 46 y. o. and my eyes are already failing, plus i I have the bad habit to sweat for nothing and a few droplets come into play too.

-- hide signature --

All the best from northern Italy, Dino.
I'm on the NIK side of photography.

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