New Micro SD Refuses To Format

[silentsnow31802]

Hey all, I know there are some computer gurus on these boards and I was hoping I could get some help.

I just bought a Micro SD card off ebay and I cant get it to format. When I try and access it it gives me a I/O error. I have tried it in my cell phone, laptop, and my digi cam. I fear that the card came DOA. Is there any programs or anything I could use to help bring the little card to life?

[Andrew32]

is there a lock switch on the side of the stick? The only thing i can think of would be to hook it up to the computer and use your disk utilities (i think thats what its called) to format it. I could tell you but im currently on Mac and cant remember what the menu options where, but its in control panel.

[Nitronaught]

is there a lock switch on the side of the stick? The only thing i can think of would be to hook it up to the computer and use your disk utilities (i think thats what its called) to format it. I could tell you but im currently on Mac and cant remember what the menu options where, but its in control panel.
That switch will only write protect the SD card. I/O errors usually are not good. It means the card can no longer be read yet alone formatted.

Yeah check and see if it is write protected, but my experience is you have a bad SD card.

If you know someone who has an SD card interface on their computer you can try formatting it, but I am pretty sure your gonna have the same I/o error problem. I've had 2 SD cards do that to me, 1 of them I had for over a year when it died with the same error.:cool:

But if someone knows a way around thins I deinfately would like to know.:cool:

[silentsnow31802]

I made sure the wirte protect was off. I already tried putting it in the SD card slot on my laptop and it found the card but I cannot access it or format it. I doesnt work at all. I also tried the disc utilities on here and it wont even see it. I contacted the seller and im going to send it back for a replacment.

[Andrew32]

yea that would be your best option. I actually remember hearing about Ebay SD cards doing this often. but i hope you get a good one soon!

[I know pi!]

I have a 1GB micro-sd card from ebay that works fine, but sounds like yours might be dead :( my dad got a "sample" blank one and it said the same thing. I paid $15 total for the 1gb card and am happy with it, I use it for school, music on phone, camera on phone to post pics here, and SD adaptor to record digital camera videos!

san-disk has an 8GB version now :fear:

[silentsnow31802]

Yea I ordered a 1GB version from ebay for 11 bucks, turns out trying to save that extra couple bucks wasnt such a good idea after all... :(
I planned on using it in my phone mainy for music but the picture and video part too. I can only use up to a 1GB in mine or I would have gone bigger.
Those 8GB ones are called something like HCSD and you need to have a special device that supports the larger size.

[I know pi!]

my phone says in the manual a 2gb will void the warranty, but I didnt buy it because of the price, I might still use one if i get good music on it. I actually paid $5-7 for the card but $12 shipping for such a heavy package :rolleyes: and the "proirity mail" took longer than some standard shipping rates!

but yeah the music on phone thingy is nice I want a bluetooth wireless headset, then life rules, for now I have an adptor for standard headphones