My computers usb slots and card readers quit working, My usb will work on some items but the card reader will not work at all

Hello Lee Mitchell,

If the laptop is not having a native SDHC slot, you have 2 main options.

1) Buy a multi-card reader (should support SDHC of course!), insert your camera card to the reader and connect the reader to your computer's USB port. Your computer will detect the card and you will be able to see your card contents as like you have connected a "Pen Drive" to your PC.

2) Option 2 is to get a data cable, connect the camera end to your camera's data port (SDHC card should be inserted on the camera) and the USB part to the USB slot of your PC. You should be able to browse the photos pretty easily.

3) Check if your camera has Bluetooth or WiFi connectivity options, if it does, you can share photos wirelessly from your camera to your PC.

Fort Networks

Do you mean the Windows 95 OS or Windows 7? If you have Windows 95B (with USB support), get a USB card reader. You may need to add a USB card to your computer. (Look carefully at the manufacturer's site for the drivers, fewer companies are providing drivers for the older OS versions (before XP).) Windows 95a doesn't support USB at all. You would need a new OS. This is not guaranteed to work. If you upgrade Win95a to Win98, issues may still exist with the USB card reader. Remove the card from the camera and plug into the xD slot on the card reader. If the card reader works, you can use a version of Photoshop or any image viewer since your photos are JPEGs.

If you mean Windows 7, your computer might have an memory card reader. Check for an xD card slot. Otherwise, get a card reader (USB or internal that uses a 3.5" drive bay and connects to an available USB motherboard connector if you have one). Here is a source for several USB card readers: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?MfrId=0&CatId=2833 . Remove the card from the camera and insert it into the computer's xD slot. Then use the Windows Photo Viewer or any other image viewing or editing program to look at the pictures.

Open the card as you would any flash drive or optical disc. Go to Computer (My Computer) and access the card reader "drive", open folders to find the Olympus one. Drag and drop pictures to your hard drive or double-click to launch in the program linked to the JPEG file type.

Windows 8 will behave like Windows 7 with the card reader (for most readers).

I hope this helps.
Cindy Wells

I bought a deer cam (trail camera) at Walmart and a PNY card with PNY Multi-Slot USB & Flash Card Reader P-UBSDRDR21K-RF. I can't make them all work for me. PNY card reader has no instructions on the package neither on their website and their support is a joke. When I plug in this multi-slot card reader into my PC (I tried two different PCs) something isn't right. I get no results, just empty folders. The card is new and has data on it. Both products come from PNY, both were purchased at Walmart and both are going back to Walmart for a full refund and I will never buy a PNY product ever again.

Many HP and Compaq computers come with memory card readers preinstalled.Figure 1: Memory card reader (yours might be different)

Memory cards are used primarily for importing pictures from digital cameras, but they can also be useful for sharing pictures and files. The following list shows some common types of memory cards:

• CompactFlash I
• CompactFlash II
• IBM Microdrive
• Secure Digital (SD)
• mini-SD
• MultiMediaCard (MMC)
• Reduced size MultiMediaCard (RS-MMC)
• MultiMediaCard Plus (MMC plus)
• MultiMediaCard Mobile (MMC mobile)
• Memory Stick
• Memory Stick Pro
• Memory Stick Duo
• Memory Stick Pro Duo
• SmartMedia
• xD Picture Card (xD = extreme digital)

NOTE: If your computer came with a 6-in-1 card reader by KYE and was purchased before summer of 2003, update its card reading firmware by using the HP Download Web Page (in English) for your computer model name. Updating the KYE firmware allows bad blocks messages to be displayed.
A high capacity SDHC card locks up or the SDHC card cannot be readMany models of PC card readers do not work with "high capacity" formats. For example, a memory card reader capable of reading a 1 GB Secure Digital (SD) card might not read from a 16 GB SDHC card.The computer might lock up when an SDHC card is inserted into a card reader that does not support SDHC. To immediately fix the lock-up, double-click the Safely Remove Hardware icon, (in the notification area in the lower right corner of the screen), select the USB card reader, and then click Stop . The card reader will not work until the computer is restarted. You can now safely remove the memory card and use the computer for other activities.To use your higher capacity memory card without locking up the computer, do one of the following:

• If you are using the card in a camera or other device, you can attach the device to the computer using a USB or FireWire cable. When connected, most devices appear in Windows as a Removable Disk and can be used in the same way as the card reader.
• Use a USB memory card reading device that plugs into any open USB port. Make sure the USB device can read SDHC. These devices are inexpensive and can be used in any computer that has a USB port.Figure 2: SDCH to USB card reader adapter
  
  

An SDXC card cannot be readMake sure the card reader specifically supports the SDXC format. You can access the SDXC card by using an SDXC compatible USB reader or adapter. Look for an SDXC logo on the device or check with the device manufacturer for information.
CAUTION: Never format an SDXC memory card in a non-compatible device. Doing so will make the memory card incompatible with SDXC devices because it will erase the data on the SDXC memory card and format the card for a different file system.
Card reader stops working after using Safely Remove Hardware
CAUTION: Do not insert or remove memory cards while the light on the reader is flashing. Doing so might cause loss of data on the card or might permanently damage the card reader.
The following steps explain how to use memory cards in a card reader:

1. Insert a memory card when the light on the reader is not flashing . You can have a memory card inserted in each slot in the card reader, at the same time.An autoplay window displays. If it does not, access the card through Windows Explorer.
2. The memory card has a drive letter, like a DVD drive or hard drive. Use the memory card as you would use any other drive on the computer. For example, double-click the memory card icon to open a new window showing the files on the card.
3. When you have finished working with the files on a memory card, right-click the memory card icon and select Eject . Make sure the light on the memory card reader is not on or flashing when removing the card from its slot.Figure 3: Eject feature in Windows Vista
   
   

Memory card readers are devices that use the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the notification area on the taskbar). Do not click Stop in the Safely Remove Hardware window. Doing so can disconnect the memory card reader from Windows. If this happens, restart the computer to reinitialize the memory card reader.




An alternative to restarting the computer is to use the Optimize for Quick Removal feature in Windows as follows:

1. Open Device Manager:
   • In Windows Vista, click Start , and type Device Manager into the Start Search field. Click Continueif a UAC message opens.
   • In Windows XP, right-click the My Computer , select Properties from the drop-down menu, select the Hardware tab in the System Properties window, and then select the Device Manager button.
2. In Device Manager, click the + sign next to Disk drives to display a list of the drive devices on your computer. Memory card readers are seen as drive devices in Windows.
3. In the list of drive devices, right-click the device that has stopped functioning to display a drop-down menu (for example, Generic USB CF Reader for CompactFlash media).Click Properties in this menu.
4. Click the Policies tab in the Device Properties window.
5. Select Optimize for quick removal , and then click the OK button.This setting disables write caching on the device and in Windows, so the media can be removed without using the Safely Remove Hardware feature in the taskbar. The card reader might experience a minor drop in device performance.Figure 6: Optimize for quick removal setting
   
   

Memory card icons are missing in WindowsIf you cannot access the memory card, or the drive is not listed in My Computer, use the following steps until the drive displays:
NOTE: If you are using a card reader that did not come with the computer, contact the manufacturer of the adapter for help.

1. Remove and reinsert the memory card.If the AutoPlay window opens or if the memory card is now listed in the Computer window, you are done. Otherwise, continue with the next step.
2. Restart the computer.If the AutoPlay window opens or if the memory card is now listed in the Computer window, you are done. Otherwise, continue with the next step.
3. Reinstall each memory card device using Device Manager:
   a. Remove all memory cards, and unplug all USB storage devices from the USB ports.
   
   NOTE: Make sure you remove all USB devices.
   
   1. In Windows Vista, click Start , type Device Manager into the Start Search field, and press Enter .In Windows XP, click Start , right-click My Computer , select Properties , click the Hardware tab, and then click the Device Manager button.
   2. Click the plus sign next to Disk Drives to open the category.
   3. Right-click a "Generic" card reader device name and select Uninstall .Figure 7: Device Manager in Windows XP (Windows Vista is similar)
      

1. 1. Wait until Device Manager updates the list, removing the name of the Generic device.
   2. Continue uninstalling Generic card reader device names until they are all removed from the list.
   3. Restart the computer and use the card reader. If problems persist, continue to the next step.
2. Try another memory card of the same type in the same slot. If this memory card works, the card reader is working correctly. Replace the original memory card. If the second memory card does not work, continue using these steps.
3. If you are using Media Center, remove the memory card, maximize the Media Center window, and reinsert the memory card.
4. Turn off the computer, disconnect the power cord, and press the power button on the front of the computer for five seconds. Reconnect the power cord and turn on the computer to test the card reader.If the AutoPlay window opens or if the memory card is now listed in the Computer window, you are done. Otherwise, continue with the next step.
5. Some memory card readers use support USB devices. Insert a USB device into an open USB port to test whether the card reader can read from the USB device. If the device works correctly, continue to the next step. If the USB device also fails, there is a problem with USB.
   
   1. Turn off the computer and disconnect the power cord. Then shine a flashlight into the empty card slots in the card reader to see if any pins inside are bent. Straighten any bent pins with the end of a mechanical pencil. Replace the memory card reader or have the computer serviced if a pin is bent and is touching another pin.If the AutoPlay window opens or if the memory card is now listed in the Computer window, you are done. If there were no bent pins, continue to the next step.
   2. The memory card reader software is usually set up through a plug and play process in Windows. Some computers that came with Windows XP and built before 2003 might come with separate software for the memory card reader. If so, reinstalling the memory card reader software and then restarting the computer can fix problems with the memory card driver. To reinstall the card reader driver on HP and Compaq desktop computers, see the HP support document, Using Recovery
      10 Reset the cable connections and memory card firmware:
      1. Remove the side of the computer case by unscrewing the two retaining screws on the back of the computer and sliding the side panel towards the rear of the computer. Set the panel aside.b.Find and disconnect the cable from the back of the card reader and leave it disconnected.Figure 8: One type of connection on the reader (your computer might be different
         

Make sure that the other end of the cable is correctly connected to the motherboard or an electronic card connected to the motherboard. Make sure that the unconnected end of the cable is not touching any electronics or components inside the computer, particularly the fans.Figure 9: Connector on the motherboard (your computer might be different)

1. Replace the computer side panel and turn on the computer.
2. After Windows starts and the desktop displays, wait about five minutes for Windows to make the necessary hardware changes.
3. Turn off the computer and remove the computer side panel.
4. Reconnect the cable into the back of the card reader, replace the side panel, and turn on the computer.
5. Check to see if the drives appear in My Computer or Windows Explorer:
   • If the memory card drives appear in Windows and work correctly you are done.
   • If the memory card drives do not appear in Windows, the drive might need to be serviced or replaced.Memory cards appear in Windows but errors occur when writing or readingIf you are having problems reading and writing data to memory cards, use the following troubleshooting tips:
     • Try a different memory card of the same type in the same slot. If this memory card works, the card reader is working correctly. Replace the original memory card.
     • Some cards have a read/write security switch on the card. Make sure the switch is set to Write Enabledbefore trying to write data to it.
     • Make sure that the amount of data you tried to store has not exceeded the capacity of the card.
     • Inspect the ends of the memory cards for dirt or material closing a hole or spoiling a metal contact. Clean the contacts with a lint-free cloth and small amounts of isopropyl alcohol. Replace the memory card if necessary.
     • Make sure the memory card is supported by the card reader.
     • Make sure the memory card is fully inserted into the slot.
     • Remove the memory card when the light is not flashing and shine a light into the empty slot to see if any small pins inside are bent. If the pins a slightly bent, turn off the computer and straighten them with the tip of a mechanical pencil. If two of the pins are touching, replace the memory card reader or have the computer serviced.
     • If errors continue, replace the memory card.
       
       

An USB memeory card reader should have several slots to insert the various memory cards.
You insert the memory card into the correct slot on the card reader and then connect the CARD reader with the USB cable into the USB port on your computer.
The computer will see this as an external storage device, you can then copy the photos off the memory card into your computer.

An USB memeory card reader should have several slots to insert the various memory cards.
You insert the memory card into the correct slot on the card reader and then connect the CARD reader with the USB cable into the USB port on your computer.
The computer will see this as an external storage device, you can then copy the photos off the memory card into your computer.

Are you saying you have a separate card reader but it doesn't work? Or are you speaking about a card reader slot on the computer that doesn't work? Card readers have slots for different cards on one end and a USB plug on the other that you plug into a USB slot on your computer.

Sandisk memory card can be use in a computer if it is attached to a card reader (image below)


the card reader will then be attached to any usb slot in your computer. (image below)


sometimes in order for the card reader to work with your computer it will need to install first its driver.

I hope this help you.

The Dell Inspiron 531s does not come with a memory card reader slot.

This is Dell's specifications on the Inspiron 531s,

http://www.dell.com/us/en/dfh/desktops/inspndt_53xs/pd.aspx?refid=inspndt_53xs&s=dfh&cs=22

Left-click on the Tech Specs tab.

You could use a memory card reader that attaches to any of the computers USB ports.
Here is an example,

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1187796&CatId=942

Scrolling down the page, shows you an animated gif of this memory card reader.
(Above the large red - Ultra 3 Year Warranty)

If you have a sd card reader on your computer then simply slot it into the card reader and windows will pick the card up so you can transfer (copy paste, or cut and paste) the pictures onto your computer. Or is you have not card reader on your computer you can by a sd card adapter that can slot inside the usb port and will do the same thing a card reader would. They are very cheap and can be picked up in most electrical outlets that deal with pc's

I hope this helps