XPS Media Card Reader "Vanishes"

This is quite awhile since the problem was posted, but I just had my Dell media card reader vanish.  Here's the story: it either had a conflict with its drive assignment, or it 'lost' the drive being assigned to it.  I inserted the SD card and went to Disk management, in Computer Management.    It shows a removable disk without a drive letter.  Right click it, choose Change Drive Letter, and pick an available letter.  The SD card now appears in a windows explorer window.

Hope this works for other people.

I forgot to inform those who don't know how to get to Computer Management.  Go to the Control Panel and then Administrative Tools.  Computer Management is one of the tools.

I read the posts and then looked into the XPS 400 Owners Manual.  On Page 42, Media Card Reader Problems is addressed. One solution is to map the card reader to a new drive manually.  If you Media card is connected and not loose, then:

1. Right click on My Computer and select Manage

2. , right click on drive that needs to be changed

3. Select new Drive letter fro dro down

4. and reboot.

The issue seems to stem from flash drive incompatabilities.  Don't use the newer flash drives anymore.

Hi Chris,

Futher to my previous message, I have look in the Device Manager. It reports an unknown device in the USB controller cluster. The properties of the Unknown device properties are:

Device: Type Universal Serial Bus Controller

Manufacturer: (Standard USB Host Controller)

Location: Port_#001.Hub-#0006

Device Status : Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)  

Driver Details indicate either no driver required or no driver had been loaded for this device. It seems more likely the latter. As I followed the instruction provided by videotom and others, I could not see any device how can I assign any hing to it ?

I run the SPA+ in both Extended and Custom modes. Both reports all USB ports working fine.

There are no other external USB device connected to the computer at the time other than an USB Dell Keyboard and an USB Wacom Tablet instead of a mouse.

The card reader had worked only once and since then it disappears exact same symptoms as others experienced on this issue.

I trust that your Engineering Department could have good use of the information.

A quick solution is much appreciated as my only application is to transfer photos from my CF card to the computer . 

It is the sole reason why I bought the Dell XPS 435 and a Dell Ultra Sharp 2410, which also has issues with its color calibration file, to earn my living. If I know that Dell has this unresolved issue since 2005 I would think hard before considering a Dell purchase.

With kind regards,

Zato Ichi

Hello Chris,

I just have a DELL 435 last December.

I am experiencing the vanishing of the card reader as all of the others posted the messages in this forum, since 2005 if I understand it correctly.

Does Dell any solution for that since then ? Please help.

Many thanks for your prompt response.

Zato Ichi 

Hi Videotom,

Many thanks for the instructions.

I am experiencing the the vanishing act of the card reader on my XPS 435 just acquired last December.

I understand that your proposed solution is to manually assign a drive designation for the card reader, am I correct ?

But I cannot see any card reader any where as per your instructions, how can I assign (or map) anything to anything ?

Secondly, if it is the solution, then every time computer rebooted, the user has to repeat the process again and again ? As a computer user, I would not expect to do so.

Please also explain: what is "fro dro" in the step 3 in your instructions. English is not my mother tongue, your help is much appreciated.

With kind regards

Zato Ichi

Recently started to have this problem on XPS 435T. It appears any system crash causing a blue screen results in card reader becoming an unknown device, stopped, code 43. I have discovered a very simple fix that has worked for me several times. Shut down the system, disconnect power cord to system, wait 30 seconds, replace power cord, boot system normally you should now have all drive letters of card reader in explorer and reader should function normally. I have done this three times so far and each time it has returned the card reader to a functional state. As it is sooooo easy to do, I suggest you try it if your reader has vanished. Good Luck, hope this helps !

Many thaks for sharing your solution, Argonite

Perhaps you may give me some more understanding how it goes.

1. Does the solution would have to repeat every time the PC rebooted. i.e. just shutting down the PC thought Windows 7.

2. You had repeated this process  three times. Does it mean it returns while your PC inoperation, or you have to do it againas your PC shut down through Windows 7 ?

My last question is more for Dell Technical staff. Does this accidental fix give you folks any hint ? And if the hint is understood, do you folks have any plan to address it ?

Many thanks.

WIth kind regards,

Zato Ichi

Zato Ichi

1.  No need to repeat, untill reader vanishes again. This is not a solution to whatever causes the reader to vanish, just a quick way I found to get it back.

2. I have been testing new software and when the system crashes to blue screen the reader vanishes. This has happened three times and each time this simple fix got my reader back up and functional. System shutdowns and reboots do not cause any problems for me.

Again, this does not solve the cause of the problem. It does return my reader to a visible, stable, functional state until the system is crashed again ( due to me).

Many thanks for your info. and quick response Argonite.

With kind regards,

Zato Ichi

It's amazing Dell hasn't addressed this. I have an Studio XPS and have had this problem for over a year. I haven't bothered calling Dell but I have checked all over the Internet. The solution I use is a shortcut to the Ricoh driver on my desktop and when the reader has disappeared I right click the shortcut, left click install and it's back up and working for a couple of hours.