Memory card issue

[kkardster]

I went to swap memory cards and the new card would only go half-way in before meeting unexpected resistance. I shined a light in the slot and saw something in there. Using a toothpick I was able to remove the foreign body and found it to be the header from the previous memory card.


SD Card with separated header

I’m certain that there are photos on the card that I haven’t had the chance to back up so I’ll want to at least do that.

I’ll likely split the case in two and see if I can reseat the header. If so, I’ll tape the case shut and attempt to to copy the files off before discarding it.

Anybody have any other advice before I try my surgery?

--
Bruce
You learn something new every time you press the shutter

 

[kkardster]

I was able to pry the end of the card open just enough to slip the contacts header back into place. After centering the contacts in their openings, the two halves of the case closed as normal.

I then used a separate card reader where only 1/3 of the card gets inserted and was able to successfully copy the files to my PC.





--
Bruce
You learn something new every time you press the shutter

 

[kkardster]

My curiosity got the best of me so I split the card apart half expecting to find a micro-SD card inside but to my surprise it was empty!











--
Bruce
You learn something new every time you press the shutter

 

[Dak on cam]

My curiosity got the best of me so I split the card apart half expecting to find a micro-SD card inside but to my surprise it was empty!

That would explain why this simple-minded repair without resolidering any connection managed to be successful for retrieving the files. The backside of the PCB piece that got stuck in the camera will likely be covered by some tar-like substance covering the actual memory chip glued and bonded to the PCB with small wires or ball contacts, possibly also the odd SMD capacitor.

Essentially what got stuck was all that was needed electrically, even if it was woefully lacking mechanically.

--
Dak

 

[neilt3]

I guess you don't need a lot of space for 8gb !

I wonder if larger cards use more physical space ?

 

[kkardster]

I guess you don't need a lot of space for 8gb !

I wonder if larger cards use more physical space ?

Considering that there are 2TB micro-SD cards, not much!

 

[Konstantin Baranov]

Curious indeed. In hindsight though, a long time ago somebody already realized that SD connector takes more space than needed for the entire memory chip. So they invented microSD. Those can be as big as 2TB today while being, probably, smaller than the PCB 'margin' of your SD connector.