I have a new tape inserted, and the switch to tape instead of SD card, but it still keeps trying to record to card - its not doing anything with the tape - not rewinding or anything. not sure if the gears are stuck / if there's any type of unsticking / lubrication i can try as a last resort?

Transcend??

Mini SD cards, or MicroSD cards, are used in digital cameras and portable media players to house digital media files.

MicroSD cards can house anything from 2GB to 32GB of information.
A write-protection feature gives the owner the ability to lock the MicroSD card to keep their files secure.

If you have a MicroSD card that is write-protected, you can un-write-protect it with a flip of a switch.
Insert your MicroSD card into the adapter that came with it.
Put the data side of the MicroSD card into the data side of the adapter.

Look for the write-protection switch on the left side of the SD adapter.
Flip the switch to the side that reads "Off."

Remove the MicroSD card from the adapter and replace it in the device you were using it with.

or you might

Feel along the lower right and left sides of the Micro SD card to find out if it has a built in write protection switch.

Move the switch over to the "On" position to turn on the write protection feature.
Check the front ports on your computer and see if it already has a built in card reading unit.

Purchase an external card reader that plugs into a USB port if your computer does not already have an internal card reader (see below).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=card+reader&x=0&y=0

Plug the card reader into any open USB port on the computer.
Power on the computer and let the operating system finish loading.

Insert the card into the Micro SD slot on the card reader.
Wait for a new window to appear that will ask what action you want to take with the Micro SD card.

Click on the link that says "Open a folder to view files."
Right-click on a file if there is just one specific file you want to enable write protection for.

Click on the "Properties" link from the menu that will pop up.
Navigate to the "General" tab.

Click on the box marked as "Read Only" and then close the Properties window.
Close the window and then double-click on the "My Computer" icon on your desktop if you want to enable write protection for every file on the Micro SD card.

Right-click on the name of your Micro SD card in the list of computer drives.
Click on "OK" and then close the window.

Click on "Properties" and then navigate to the "Security" tab.
Scroll down to the heading labeled as "Permissions."

Click on "Deny" under the "Write" section.

or
1
Slide the switch on the left-hand side of the SD card. If the switch is broken, proceed to Step 2.
2

Affix a small piece of tape or paper to the top half of the gap where the slider should be. Do not permanently affix the paper as of yet. 3

Try the card in your computer, using the USB converter stick.
If the items on the SD card are available, copy them to your computer as a precaution.
If that did not solve the problem, proceed to Step 4. 4

Remove the tape or paper and reattach it to the other side of the gap if you mistakenly attached it to the wrong side.
If you are actually trying to unlock a micro or mini SD card, proceed to Step 5. 5

Toggle the switch on the left side of your SD Adapter if you are trying to unlock a micro or mini SD card.

Micro and mini cards do not have switches.
Instead, insert a micro or mini card into an unlocked SD Adapter to work with stored data.

SD Adapters look very much like SD cards and the switch works the same way.

this can can only record video on mini dv tapes the sd slot is for caputing still images/ photo צילום אירועים

Try replacing or formatting the SD card in the camcorder

Removing the write protection depends on the source of the problem.
Broadly speaking, it can be any of the following scenarios

1. There is a write-protection tab on the mini sd card HOLDER. Every time you insert this into your PC or card holder, this tab slides to the write protect position. Either keep resetting, inserting & reinserting until it doesn't slide or tape it down.
2. There is nothing wrong with the mini sd card. Simply locate the write protection key and push it.
3. The mini sd card has some error: Go for a low level formatting.
4. The card has virus: Remove the virus. The link for the steps is present in the related link at the bottom of the article.
   

There is an easy way to solve this problem: Simply put the yellow lock in the middle of its slider. No sticky tape required, as shown below. But if your still having the same problem i suggest you try the sticky tape.

problem is only that small moveable yellow lock switch is not making, just put sellotape over it maybe two layers needed to make switch.
== Answer == Even though what is written below may work, the problem is probably that on the card reader (if you have one) there is a small switch that has lock written on the side. If this is pushed down, the drive is write protected, push it in the opposite direction and it may fix your problem I had the same problem with several cards but eventually found a way around it. DON'T buy a new one!

Make sure the SD card lock is 'off' and then use thin, opaque sticky tape (ie non see-through; eg insulation tape) to cover the whole gap but keep clear of the metal contacts at the back.

Your card should work fine now... don't know why this has to be done, but it works! Additional info:
Reason #1,
the mechanical lock switch accidentally moves to the "locked" position during insertion due to the poor quality of the switch. Hence, by taping it, you are actually preventing the lock switch to travel towards the lock position. i.e. downwards.

Reason #2
If the above fails, it is likely your SD card reader/writer's fault. But don't discard it or buy a new one yet. Allow me to explain the mechanical design of the SD card lock mechanism. So that you may choose to repair it if you want to. You will need a small paper clip and screw-driver to open your card reader. (Don't proceed if your card reader is still under warranty, please return/exchange with manufacturer) There is a mechanical switch very much like a micro push button (I wish I could show you the picture/drawing). Anyway, depending on the position of the lock switch. You either push or release this micro push button inside the SD card reader.
Due to mechanical wear and tear, or some forceful insertion of the SD card, the micro push button is in its "open" circuit position, i.e. write-protected. In order to make the SD card reader writable, we will need to "close" the circuit. (Note: this is an irreversible process as I will be telling you how to remove the write-protection feature of your SD card reader. Once you do this, you would be unable to use the SD card lock switch to lock your data. So, just be careful not to accidentally delete your data)
To proceed, you need to remove the main circuit board from the SD card reader/writer enclosure. The location of the micro push button switch is the same location as the unlock position of the SD card when inserted in the SD card reader/writer. From the BACK of the exposed SD card reader, insert the unfolded paper clip (same way when you try to poke something like a device reset button) except, that it has to be long enough to allow the micro switch to touch together for contact. Then insert the SD card. Once the contact is "closed", your SD card reader/writer can write again. I understand that without a drawing, this may not be very helpful. Please provide suggestions or better explanation if you can. Thanks.

Or, just tape the lock switch to unlocked. This also works for SD cards in normal size. back up all the files u have on ur card then follow these steps

1. Go to Control Panel
2. Go to Administrative tools
3. Go to Computer management
4. From the tree menu on the left select Disk Management
5. Now on the right side you will have a list of all storage devices connected to your computer. Select the one that is your mini SD card. BE CAREFUL WHEN CHOOSING THIS BECAUSE YOU COULD FORMAT YOUR HARDDRIVE. Double check the name in My Computer
6. Right click on the SD card and select format. A new window will pop up showing format options. Select FAT32 from the file system drop down and check the quick format option and then click on OK
7. Enjoy your mini SD card without that annoying write protection

here is a list of compatable memory cards
http://www.4allmemory.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.memorySearch&model_id=42425
.. any SD or MMC card should work up to 4 gb ... so your 2gb should be ok .. i suspect that it may be damaged .. you can try formatting it in a USB card reader if you have one on your computer .. some laptops have the SD slot built in .. there was some compatability issues with memory cards for older cameras but there shouldnt be any with such a new machine .. make sure the contacts are clean and the "protect" switch (if any) is in the unprotected mode .. when you format the card it may take several minutes so give it time .. if you are going to take movies then its better to use a "high speed" SD card .. like the 133x mentioned in the above URL .. slow memory may cause missed frames or 15 fps instead of 30 fps record rates.. .
the specs on your camera do show SD and MMC compatability .but they dont show any brand preference .. .

Hi,

Browse through you camera's main menu. There might be a function that will enable you to switch from tape to sd card.

Cheers

Hi there.
The hard drive will be full so you will need to transfer all your videos to your PC then format the hard drive in the camera's menu, make sure the SD card is removed before you format it.

Good luck and thanks for using FixYa!!

Take out SD card from camera and try torecord.

You can't. SD card is only to take images in this camera.

I hope this helps - I had the same problem with several cards but eventually found a way around it. DON'T buy a new one!!!!!!!!

Make sure the SD card lock is 'off' and then use thin, opaque sticky tape (ie non see-through; eg insulation tape) to cover the whole gap but keep clear of the metal contacts at the back.

Your card should work fine now.....don't know why this has to be done, but it works!!!!!!!!!