Card Reader Doesn't Show in My Computer

Question

Older, upgraded XPS T500, XP SP2 Home. New Cannon PowerShot camera came with an installed SD memory card.  When the camera is plugged in directly to the computer (USB) all works normally.  Automatically detected and I get the window that lets me choose what to do with the pictures. I also bought a USB card reader, eFilm Reader-32.  When I connect the reader (with card) to the computer, nothing much happens.  It is seen because I always get the 'Safely Remove Hardware' icon in the Notification area.  It does show in Device Manager and in Disk Management but it doesn't show in the window I get when I click 'My Computer' in the START window..  Strangely, depending on the connection sequence, if I select FOLDERS view in My Computer, the reader shows in the left pane, but never in the right hand pane. How can I get the reader to show in the normal 'My Computer' window or have it bring up that window that lets me decide what to do with the pictures, the one I get when I connect the camera directly?? Any ideas for me.  I've exhausted my very limited store of computer knowledge.   Frank

HiGhLaNdEr48 · Answer

frankphelps, Have you tried a different usb port?Also it sounds like you are connecting the card reader with the card already in the reader.If so that is incorrect and could cause you to lose data.

frankphelps · Answer

Thanks, High   I have tried a different USB port but without success.  I have tried connecting with and without the card installed in the reader, also without success and without losing 'data'.  Strangely, when I connect the reader with card to a USB port on my newer Inspiron 6000 laptop it shows up just fine.  The window opens that lets me decide what to do with the pictures on the card.  So it's not the reader or the card, it's apparently the way I have XP set up.  I'd sure like to find the setting in XP that would get me to that point on my old computer.   Frank

HiGhLaNdEr48 · Answer

Frank I did some searching and all I came up with is this. go to device manager, uninstall from device manager (with reader still plugged in), reboot, and let windows detect and re-install the device. If it doesn't work, there's a very good chance it's a hardware issue, such as a loose connection. You say you can see the reader in the left pane,does it have a letter assigned to it there? Some one else had similar problem where they had mapped a network drive to the first letter after their hard drive and cd drive. Windows tried to assign the card reader to the same drive letter as the networked drive and so it wouldn't show up. The remedy was to make the first drive letter after the CD-ROM drive available. Also I use a card reader  and the first 2 I bought only worked intermittently. Replaced third time and have had no problems since.Most likely bad card readers. If I find anything else on this I will let you know.

LatinMcG · Answer

sounds like bios needs update or legacy usb need enabling.

frankphelps · Answer

NoLo813 I am udated to A11 which is the latest BIOS.  I don't know what 'enable legacy USB' means.  I'm not very knowledgeable.  This old computer has onlyl USB 1.1.   HiGhLaNdEr48 I did the uninstall, reinstall per your suggestion.  It did appear to happen but no change in behavior.  When present it shows in the left pane as SD Reader (C:).  C: is probably OK because when I installed a new hard drive I got the letter assignments messed up and my boot drive is now F: with C: unused.  Yesterday I tried changing the reader letter to J: but behavior didn't change. Guess I can give up on the reader (only $10) but it would have been nice to use.  It works fine in my laptop so I don't think the reader is at fault. Thanks to both of you for the help.   Frank

Windows General

Card Reader Doesn't Show in My Computer

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