Database Users

MicroSD card hanging phone

I've just took delivery of my Kingston 1GB MicroSD card and all is not going well.
Using TomTom on it causes the entire phone to hang. This can happen is various places, there seems to be no real pattern to it. It can hang when running the initial config screens or if you manage to get passed them it will always hang when trying to enter a street/city name. Normally I can get a few characters in to typing the name and then it will freeze. Only a soft reset will bring it back.
I've tried formatting the card on the PC as FAT and FAT32 but neither seem to improve things.
Anyone else had issues with reading from MicroSD cards hanging their phone - up until installing the card the phones been rock solid?
BTW: It's a SPV M3100. Nothing else is installed - it's just been hard reset

I was having numerous problems with the phone freezing. The famous sleep of death whereby if was left charging overnight it would freeze up only a soft reset will sort it out.
I narrowed it down to the micro sd card or the SPV3100 handling of it. I have a 1gb Sandisk Ultra II. I discovered that if I had a program loaded onto the sd card & the phone had to access it for whatever reason, in my case Fizz Traveller & an RSS reader the phone would just freeze up.
Another problem is everytime I take the sd card out & put it back in, the phone doesn't see it until a soft reset.
Obviously this could be just the phone not compatible with the sd card but I don't have a different brand to try out. But I tend to think its a bug with the phone itself.

hmm doesn't sound too clever.
Assuming it is a bug with the phone itself I wonder if trying one of the other roms might be a course of action? Trouble is there's no way back yet until Orange release a update. Could really do with my GPS working though :-(

zen123 said:
Another problem is everytime I take the sd card out & put it back in, the phone doesn't see it until a soft reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that this is normal for the Hermes. That's the way it works on my Vario II.

I believe the problem with TomTom hanging is due to the software being a little slow at reading the names database from the card. This happens to me on occasion, but if you wait a little while it comes back. I'm using a SanDisk 2Gb card and most other software works fine. It's entirely possible that these problems will be fixed with a future firmware update, as I think it's just a matter of teething problems on a new system. In my case, 2Gb cards weren't even widely available when the Hermes was designed.

kevino said:
zen123 said:
Another problem is everytime I take the sd card out & put it back in, the phone doesn't see it until a soft reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got TTN5 working on my SPV no problems at all. Took less than 10mins to transfer the files from my old sd card to the new one & load the Nav5.21 program onto the phone. Even after numerous hard resets & 3 different phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Mini SD problems again ...

Hi,
This is my first post in this forum so I apologise if I am breaking any rules concerning repeating posts.
My problem is that I have a 2Gb mini SD card which appears to be very unreliable when used with the Vario. Sometimes I cannot get it to work at all. Well, sometimes I can get it to work .
However, when I insert it on an Axim PDA it works 100% of the times (through a mini-normal adapter).
I suspect that the problem may be with the Vario itself particularly the contacts mechanism. The reason I am saying this is that I can make it work sometimes by adding a bit of tape to the opposite side of the contacts in an attempt to make them press more against the Vario's ones. But this doesn't always cure the problem.
I am wondering whether anyone has any thoughts about this problem instead of just blaming the sd-card.
Cheers
jmf

I bought a 2GB card too that was acting weird with the MDA Vario. It was one from Transcend. Sometimes parts would be visible, sometimes the whole card was invisible. Returned it to the reseller, and asked for a Sandisk instead. Not the fastest card in the world, but at least it works. Not sure why the Transcend card wouldn't work though...
If you can, exchange the card for another.

I've had similar issues as the OP with my Kingston. It either shows up or doesn't. If it just refuses to show up, I can usually soft-boot to get it back. Often though, just reinserting it several times will eventually get it back online. Very odd problem though.

Thanks for your replies guys,
I think I am going to try a new card just for my piece of mind. But judging by the number of issues on mini-sd cards associated with the Vario I would say it is a phone issue rather then a card issue.
Is there a range of cards that don't seem to give problems with the Vario?
Cheers
jmf

there r many fakes around, many many...so they r not phone issues but different card problems...i use a 1gb nokia (not the best brand) that is working perfectly but i read somewhere that someone had problems with kingston (yea, kingston, mister memory in person, they make really good memorys) so i guess is a matter of luck and formating the card every now and then...i do it using wm5torage...

i had bought a 2gig Topram off ebay about 5-6 months ago, has worked flawlessly, had a 1gig topram before that, never had issues with either

Hi,
It appears that the best thing to do is to put a little bit of tape on the card (on the side opposite to the contacts).
Doing this seems to increase the number of times the card works.
I am now using 2 layers. I am wondering whether I am loosening the contacts and will, as a result, need to add more layers in the future.
Dodgy.....
jmf

Howdy,
Xda rocks! Top of the line situation!
The mini worked fine for a few weeks!
Than after installing some cab yesterday the 8125 locked up and locked up until I removed the sd card!
I cant locate the cab that did it, if that was the real problem anyway?
So with NO sd card the 8125 is about useless, except for a phone!
Great phone, but the pda has no storage now!
I sync and no problem, until I install the card than "FREEZE solid" and I have to eject the card, soft reset and good to go in the limited way!
Could someone help before I sling the thing!
Thanks very much!
Just added. . .. .. . ... . ... .. .. . ..
I did the deadly HARD reset and the card works now!
I didn't want to do that!
Cause I didn't have a backup but the thing is brand new so I didn't loose much!
Later

Micro SD not recognised on insertion!!!

Hi All,
Wonder if this is common or should I return the unit now. Had my Dopod 838 Pro for a week now. Great phone/PDA but since new, it does not always recognise a Micro SD card at first insertion. Tried 1x512 Sandisk and 2x1gb Ultra II cards with same issue. Phone has latest ROM from factory, 1.03.707.4. The insertion seems "clunky" too, that is, it doesn't go in smoothly like regular SD and Mini SD devices I have got.
What I have noticed is that if I only insert just enough to lock the card in it seems okay, but if I push it firmly home, it is more likely to remain unrecognised.
In every case, once recognised, it runs, saves, reads from the card flawlessly so it does seem like this is a hardware issue. But if all the Hermes phones are similar, it may be just one of those characteristics of the phone and nothing too much to worry about. Just like to know so I can relax or act as the case may be.
Thanks for any feedback guys...
John

Yes, I have found a similar issue. If I remove and re-insert the card a few times it eventually gets noticed.
It's the only glitch I have had on the device after 3 flawless months

MarkD said:
Yes, I have found a similar issue. If I remove and re-insert the card a few times it eventually gets noticed.
It's the only glitch I have had on the device after 3 flawless months
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quite a few seem to take a few goes before recognised but usually seem to work fine once recognised.
Might be a bit concerned about jpfe8851's clunky slot and if it seems to go past the normal stopping point - Have not seen reports about this and mine does not do this.
Mike

I've noticed that it works everytime for me if I insert the card with the device turned off.
Martin

If you use your camera application to save the pictures on a memorycard, try to run the camera after inserting the card if it doesn't detect it. The camera app. then informs you that there's a new memcard inserted and do you wanna use it to save the files on.
Not so much of an hasle, considering how often you really remove/insert memory cards and the hermes has the camera button just opposite to card slot. And the application doesn't stay on the process list if you close it from the X (cross on upper right corner). The OK button doesn't completely close the application.

Inc said:
I've noticed that it works everytime for me if I insert the card with the device turned off.
Martin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same with me I turn it off to remove and then turn it off to insert and it will pick up the card

y2whisper said:
Same with me I turn it off to remove and then turn it off to insert and it will pick up the card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This sounds like good practice and I'm sure for most folks this works. I think though there some people that struggle to get Hermes to recognise the card even when inserting it when off. Generally it does recognise it in the end but there could be a few reasons for these issues (formatting, fragmentation, poor physical contact and so on).
I think your advice is good though and should become routine whenever the card is removed/inserted.
Mike

I've used a 1GB PQI, a 2GB normal Sandisk, and a 2GB Sandisk Ultra, and all have worked fine. Except one of the 2GB doesn't like my card reader

i found formatting the card help. Originally it would only be detected if the phone was turned off.
Unfortunately I didn't have a card reader, so used an adapter to format it in my digital camera and have no idea how it formatted it. But it now works everytime without fail!

Thanks Guys...
Sounds like this is fairly common. I've found even since I posted the original question, that provided I just push the card until it clicks, it starts up every time. With my old Axim x50v and Atom, I had to really push the SD cards as far as possible to engage the lock whereas the Dopod clicks just after the edge of the card is past flush. Gently does it seems the rule.
Mike, I appreciate your concern but the clunkiness I think is more related to the card design, having the bumps along one side, than the slot. Also, these things are all rated as hot swappable, so we should all not have to turn off just to change a card. I don't change cards that often, but when I travel, I swap cards a bit as I take a couple cards with music on to listen to while flying.
For all with the issue, I suggest you do as I said in the first paragraph as that seems to be the clue, just press the card until you feel it engage the lock and see what happens.
Thanks all for your feedback. I'll carry on without a visit to service as the phone is terrific and the keyboard (my reason to replace the Atom) is superb.
Best regards,
John

*Solution*
I've also had the same problem, but I think I've figured it out and it's a hardware issue.
If you don't pay attention to how you put the card in, it will go in "crooked". The problem is that the little notch on the side of the microSD won't activate the switch inside the phone that tells it that "the card is in".
The solution is to watch very closely how the card goes in. If you make sure that the side of the microSD card with the notch, goes in straight and flush with the side of the slot, it will recognize it every time.

i've done all the suggestions given on this topic but i still can't get my JasJam, which is about 13hours old, to recognice my microSD card. I've tried a 512mb and a 1gb and no luck... i'm leaving tomorrow and i'm worried if the service center will want to repair it rather than exchange it.

hi fone_fanatic,
if its a fault with the jasjam, you will receive a replacement if its under 30 days old. but the replacement procedure sucks.
Are you in Australia and a Telstra customer? If so, telstra calls imate support to obtain a service reference number, then they will send your pda to mobile phone solutions (MPS) in QLD, they will inspect it and then return a new jasjam to your retail outlet. once the retail outlet receives it they will give you a call to come and collect it.
the warranty is Imate, not telstra, so once it leaves their stores, imate are the ones who do the replacement through Mobile Phone Solutions.
Turn around time, 1 week for my replacement to be couriered to QLD from Melbourne, 5 days turn around time from MPS, 4 days for the new replacement to be couriered back to melbourne, 1 day for me to pick it up. so around 3 weeks.
Now, MPS is closed from Dec 22 to Jan 3 and they are out of JASJAMS, they are awaiting more from imate for warranty replacements (my friend is wating for his replacement) so turn around time could be longer.
life sucks sometimes......

Thanks for that info Jasjamming. I'm in saudi arabia visiting family and friends for the holidays, and the process you just described soounds very similar to the one that was described to me today. BUT... turns out the device is fine, the cards i tried were both Nokia MicroSD cards that came with nokia phones and for some reason the jasjam won't read them. So i bought a 1gig Sandisk and it works fine!

Im having the same issue with my Hermes and a Sandisk 2gb card. It worked fine for a few weeks, but now wont detect at all. Interestingly the screen comes on when the card is inserted or removed - I'll test the card in a reader to see what shows...

A soft reset always seems to work for me

aprmike said:
Im having the same issue with my Hermes and a Sandisk 2gb card. It worked fine for a few weeks, but now wont detect at all. Interestingly the screen comes on when the card is inserted or removed - I'll test the card in a reader to see what shows...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's a thread here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=294324 which gives some fixes to this problem. The thread is a bit long so it may be best to read from the end backwards.
Also, I believe this problem has been taken care of in the cooked WM6 roms. My SD card hasn't disappeared since upgrading to WM6, but did all the time when with Vodafones UK rom.

broken microSD card?
I have a Sandisk 2GB microSD card, that after a few days stopped working. Whenever I insert it, the device hangs completely. It doesn't matter whether I had turned off the device before inserting. The device stays unresponsive when I eject the card again, I always have to do a soft reset to bring the device back to live. I tried to insert the card carefully (as someone here mentioned the issue with the little notch), but it doesn't make any difference. The card is never recognized, not even after a soft reset. This is obviously very frustrating, as I had just installed a couple of useful apps on the card.
Do I need a new card or is there anything else I could try? ( I do not have a card reader....)
ROM: 1.23.78.3
ROM date: 08/01/06
Radio: 1.06.00.00

it must be the sandisk 2GB microSD cards as i have one to worked great for a week, then stopped working....i formated using the pc and now it is recognized as a 1 GB card, in both phone and pc..

QuachMD said:
I've also had the same problem, but I think I've figured it out and it's a hardware issue.
If you don't pay attention to how you put the card in, it will go in "crooked". The problem is that the little notch on the side of the microSD won't activate the switch inside the phone that tells it that "the card is in".
The solution is to watch very closely how the card goes in. If you make sure that the side of the microSD card with the notch, goes in straight and flush with the side of the slot, it will recognize it every time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quoted for truth.

Memory Cards

Hi There.
I seem to be having an issue with Memory cards.
I have an Orange UK SPV 3100, and basically it doesn't pickup the memorycard is even there. I just bought a new card, thinking it was the cheap nasty other one, but it still doesnot work. I have tried formatting it as fat and Fat32, but it doesnot pickup either. The screen lights up when you insert the card tho! Very annoying nd weird!!

SimonStubbs said:
Hi There.
I seem to be having an issue with Memory cards.
I have an Orange UK SPV 3100, and basically it doesn't pickup the memorycard is even there. I just bought a new card, thinking it was the cheap nasty other one, but it still doesnot work. I have tried formatting it as fat and Fat32, but it doesnot pickup either. The screen lights up when you insert the card tho! Very annoying nd weird!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I remember way back when I got mine. To get it recognised I did a hard reset and since then no problems.
It might be worth a full power off and on again with card inserted before trying a hard reset - Long press power button til the warning message, say ok to close down and then long press to restart.
Mike

[Q] HELP: 15mb storage, hard resets, no results, one month no phone!

Hey I put up a post and no one seems to be able to help me curious if you can:
I put a 32gb micro sd card class 2 sandisk into a samsung focus and it is now stuck on 15mb memory (not a new problem to this forums).
Everyone's solution on this forum is to reset the phone and start over, however its been a month now and no single reset has changed the phone from 15mb back to 8gb. There are no at&t apps either the phone is bare and can only make calls pretty much.
I have done both resets in many combinations of plugged and not plugged in. I have done the 3 button reset and the menu reset. Any suggestions would be greatly apreciated?

you never did mention if you took the card out...

well the card is out now, i originally tried to reformat every which way with the card in now it is removed. Any other questions that might help? any suggestions?
Would jailbreaking the phone help reset it? can it be jailbreaked in that state? and how the hell do you jailbreak ha?

well now that the card is out do the vol down, camera, power format....

i have done that alot and no result. Am i missing something about reseting?
I have done the 3 button format, about menu format, and also long press on the power button. I have done these in many combinations to no avail.
Is the phone complete garbage? Can i get it replaced by samsung?

Your phone is toast. This is what happened to me when I tried using a 32GB Class 2 Sandisk card. If you bought yours from AT&T or whatever, you should be able to walk in, show them the phone is bricked, and get a replacement. I'm not sure how it will play out if you bought it through other means.

what about buying a new one and returning few days later the broken one, will they know its a different phone?

I'm not sure, but why wouldn't you bring it in? You should be reasonably covered, support-wise. They have no way of knowing that you used a card.

neibl said:
what about buying a new one and returning few days later the broken one, will they know its a different phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes they track the phones by the s/n and the imei.

i would bring the phone in, but i bought it through 3rd party dealer and i got my money back for the phone, but still have the broken phone and it would be great to fix it and have it for free.
Any way to get phone replaced by at&t? even if i have to pay does that kind of service exist?