SD Card Troubleshooting / FAQ

Resolving issues with your Kanguru SD Card

Q1: My card is not recognized by my computer.

A1: If you are using a SDHC card, make sure that the card reader you are using supports SDHC cards. SD or SDHC cards that have capacities larger than 1GB won't work in some older card readers. A firmware update to your card reader may be required to read/write cards with capacities larger than 1GB. Please contact your card reader manufacturer's website to see if any updates are available.

Q2: My SDHC card has problems working with Windows XP.

A2: Microsoft has issued a hotfix for this problem. You can download the solution from Microsoft's website at: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/934428/

The update package allows for support of SDHC cards with a capacity of more than 4GB. The computer must have a supported SD Controller to use SDHC or SD cards.

Kanguru Solutions recommends you backup your system or create a Windows restore point before installing this hotfix. Windows hotfixes do no undergo the same level of testing that standard Windows updates do.

Q3: My SDHC card has problems working with Windows Vista

A3: Microsoft has issued a hotfix for this problem. You can download the solution from Microsoft's website at: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936825/

The update package allows for support of SDHC cards with a capacity of more than 8GB. The computer must have a supported SD Controller to use SDHC or SD cards.

Kanguru Solutions recommends you backup your system or create a Windows restore point before installing this hotfix. Windows hotfixes do no undergo the same level of testing that standard Windows updates do.

Q4: My SD card is not recognized by my camera/PDA/reader.

A4: First make sure that the SD card is inserted properly. Ensure that the card has been inserted all the way in and that the pins are facing the right way. Then, check the device manufacturer's website to see if there are any known issues with yout device. Some cameras/PDAs/Readers may require a software update to use the card.

Ty formatting the card on your computer using a card reader and then reinserting it into your camera/PDA/reader. Most devices use a PC-based FAT file system. Do not format your card using a NTFS file system unless you are certain that your device can read cards formatted with NTFS.

If you are using an SDHC card, make sure that the device you are using it with supports SDHC. SD devices are not forward compatible with SDHC. Conversely, some devices that support SDHC cards do not support regular SD cards.

Q5: My SDHC card has problems working with my device

A5: Check to make sure that the speed class of your SDHC card matches the Speed Class required for the host device.

SDHC cards include a speed class that guarantees a minimum sustained data transfer rate:

• Class 2 cards have a minimum transfer rate of 2MB/s

• Class 4 cards have a minimum transfer rate of 4MB/s

• Class 6 cards have a minimum transfer rate of 6MB/s

A device achieves the best performance when used with an SDHC card with the same speed class. A host device that recommends using a Class 4 SDHC card will work best with Class 4 or Class 6 cards. It may or may not function correctly using a Class 2 card. Please refer to your device's user manual to confirm what speed class your device requires.

Q6: The card is corrupting my data.

A6: The card may have bad sectors. Memory cards may become defective or a few of the sectors on the card may have been corrupted by a sudden loss of power. Flash components are very sensitive to power and any kind of power loss or surge while the card is being accessed may corrupt the flash chips in the card.

If it is possible, save all the files on the card to your computer's hard drive. Attempt to format the card in the device that you normally use it with.

If formatting the card in the device doesn't work, attempt to format it using a PC and a card reader. Most devices use a PC-based FAT file structure. Check your device's user manual to determine what formats it supports.

Q7. I can't transfer files to my SD card but I can read from it.

A7. Make sure the lock switch is in the off position.

Are the files you are attempting to transfer copyright protected material? SD cards have a DRM (Digital Rights Management) scheme enabled that prevents copyrighted audio, video and other media from being illegally copied.

Q8. When I open up My Computer, the card is not being displayed with the correct size.

A8. Some of the memory may be used by the File Allocation Table, depending on how your card is formatted (FAT16 or FAT32). The rest of the missing memory is used in the Copy Protection Mechanism, which prevents copyrighted media from being illegally copied.

You can also try formatting the SD Card Formatting tool. This tool was created by and is supported by the SD Association and complies with official SD memory card requirements. It is available for download from the SD Association website: http://www.sdcard.org/consumers/formatter/

Q9. I'm receiving the following error, "The directory or file cannot be created".

A9. The root directory may have too many entries saved to it. Cards formatted in FAT16 have a limit of 512 files and folders that can be saved on the root directory. This number can be further reduced if files and folders have names that contain more than 8 characters.

To resolve this problem, try one of the following solutions:

• Keep your file names under 8 characters in length to allow the full 512 files on the root folder.

• Save your files in separate folders or in sub-folders so they do not all occupy the root folder.

• Format the card in FAT32. FAT32 does not have this limitation.

Q10. What is the warranty on my Kanguru SD or microSD card?

A10. The Kanguru SD and micro SD cards carry an unlimited* warranty.

*3- years guaranteed. Kanguru Solutions will replace your SD Card with a card of equal or greater value within the first 3 years from the date of purchase. After 3 years Kanguru Solutions will only replace your SD card with a card of equal value and only if it is in stock.