K-x memory card errors (sorry, SLR newb)

[RjM76]

Hi all...

New to the Pentax fold, first time posting in these forums (been here at DPR for awhile, mainly over at the Kodak P&S forums). Been around in these forums for some time, reading and gaining MUCH knowledge and recently bought a K-x, and I have an issue.

The first few days everything seemed ok, but the other day I noticed that, going thru looking at some of the recent pics on the LCD, I get an "image cannot be displayed" error. I know the shots took because I always check the LCD after taking a shot, but I guess somewhere the file failed to correctly write to the memory card (a brand new Transcend 8GB Class 10 card). I thought it was odd, but tried to keep shooting and got a message saying my card was full, but according to the counter still had well over 800 shots available.

Anyway, later that night, emptied the card, formatted several times, both in Windows and in camera, updated the K-x firmware, and formatted again. So last night, started shooting, and again ran into the same error, saying image could not be displayed. Does this sound like a card issue? I'm hoping it's not the camera, seeing as how both card and camera are new. I tried doing a search but didn't get any results.

Sorry for the longwinded post

 

[Pentax K-r]

Don't buy Transcend, buy Sandisk!! I've never had any problems with my Sandisk cards and have been using them for years. The Sandisk Ultra II cards are very good.

 

[kim_hdr]

hi,

when you put your card in slot of Pc, could you read and write on it ?

--
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my PPG : http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/kimdokhac

 

[awaldram]

Best bet is get another card.

It could be card or camera, My bet would be card.

I've used Transcend a lot and though had 1 doa never had any fail during use but guess some must.

I've also had broken sandiisk and integral on delivery.

But perversely never had any of the cheap rubbish fail still wouldn't put one in my camera though.

--
My PPG

http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/home#section=ARTIST&subSection=1471087&subSubSection=0&language=EN
My Photo Stream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/awaldram/

 

[RjM76]

I have a Transcend in my OLD Kodak, a 1GB non-HC version, never had an issue. But I'll look into the SanDisk though.

Thanks

 

[RjM76]

I can read the card using my USB SD card reader without issue...haven't tried to write to it though. Will try later tonight.

Thanks

 

[awaldram]

hi,

when you put your card in slot of Pc, could you read and write on it ?

This though sounds a good idea doesn't categorically prove the card is functional.

SD cards can be accessed in different ways by different readers and OS's because it works in one doesn't mean it will work in another.

Might be worth running this over it

http://www.sdcard.org/consumers/formatter_3/

--
my flickr : http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimdokhac/

my PPG : http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/kimdokhac

--
My PPG

http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/home#section=ARTIST&subSection=1471087&subSubSection=0&language=EN
My Photo Stream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/awaldram/

 

[RjM76]

I do have a Kingston 4GB card that is currently in my Kodak Z950 that I have had for almost a year without any issues that I can recall. I did actually format it and try it in the K-x and took about 15 or so shots and didn't get the error, but then again it is intermittent with the Transcend card so I might have to keep testing it for awhile.

I also put the Transcend in the Kodak and took a bunch of shots, but again, didn't see the error yet. Only time will tell though.

Thanks

 

[volosong]

I have a Transcend in my OLD Kodak, a 1GB non-HC version, never had an issue. But I'll look into the SanDisk though.

Costco has pretty good deals on SanDisk cards. And, SanDisk stands behind their product. I have one where the little slide lock tab broke off and can't use the card because it broke off in the "lock" position. Even though I don't know when or where I purchased the card, SanDisk is going to replace it.

--
Steven
GMT -8

 

[RjM76]

Well I know on the package it says lifetime warranty, plus it's only a couple of weeks old so I'm sure I can get an RMA from newegg without any hassle. Still, I will look into the SanDisk as well as possibly another Kingston.

As long as it's not my camera causing the issues then I'm fine lol.

Thanks

 

[dsastoo]

Thanks so much for posting this! I've been having the same problem with this same card as well as a Kingston 8 gb Class 6 card when used in my Kx. The Transcend gave problems upon first usage. The Kingston started to give memory card errors after months of use. I initially used the Kingston and then switched to the Transcend. I hope it is not the camera giving problems...

 

[RjM76]

So you had both cards give you the error? That doesn't sound too reassuring

Maybe it's the way it reads the 8GB cards? Maybe I'm just grasping at straws lol.

 

[dsastoo]

Yes, both 8 gb SDHC cards gave identical problems...I'm worried it's the camera. The problem started when I used continuous shooting.

 

[Dave N !]

I have the Transcend 8GB Class 10 card purchased here in the UK and have had no problems in my Kx. I also have a 4GB version too which works fine. I have even used a Sandisk (non SDHC) 1GB card and apart from being fractionally slower works well.

Years ago, however, when I had a Pentax Optio 330 and 550 a Fuji compactflash card had similar problems and to cure it I had to reset the cameras to their factory settings then reformat the card in-camera. This is what Pentax Uk advised me to do and I didn't have any further problems.

Cheers
Dave N!

 

[Younes]

Did you try formatting the card in-camera?
Regards
--
Younes ( Paris, FR)
K100D,K10D,D40 + lenses

 

[dsastoo]

Yes, have done that several times whenever problems arose and before first usage.

 

[dsastoo]

Thank you, I may try that.

 

[RjM76]

Sounds like a plan. Thanks for sharing that info!

On a more positive note...just chatted with newegg customer service, told them of the issue, and they said since it was such a low dollar item they would send me another one free (read = NO RMA to deal with). Win!!

 

[math guy]

Sounds like a plan. Thanks for sharing that info!

On a more positive note...just chatted with newegg customer service, told them of the issue, and they said since it was such a low dollar item they would send me another one free (read = NO RMA to deal with). Win!!

That's good to know. I always like hearing when a company does something like this. It makes me want to give them my business in the future.

--
-- Joe S.
'The laws of nature are but the mathematical thoughts of God.' ~ Euclid

http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/josephschmitt

 

[ojohn]

That's great of Newegg. They did something like that for me once.

You can still try the official SD Formatter program using a card reader:

http://www.sdcard.org/consumers/formatter/

And choose these exactly:

OPTION - FULL (erase off)

FORMAT SIZE ADJUSTMENT - ON

This formats the card the true correct way for all SD or SDHC cards. Windows doesn't quite do it although it is usually good enough. I don't trust any in-camera formatting for troublesome cards. Cameras don't have enough error checking and etc.