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Gear / Technical Help => Post-Processing, Computer / Streaming / Internet Devices & Related Activity => Topic started by: sethrich on December 15, 2009, 11:24:07 AM

Title: Memory card problem: "CARD IS LOCKED"
Post by: sethrich on December 15, 2009, 11:24:07 AM

So I was going through my memory cards yesterday and came across a Kodak 8 GB SDHC card. I stuck it into my digital camera and received the message, "CARD IS LOCKED." I tried a different card (also an 8 GB SHDC) and that worked just fine :hmmm:

Any idea how I can unlock it? I'm not even sure how one would lock it anyway. I find this strange...

*EDIT*
Turns out the switch is missing so now I'm fearing there's no way to unlock this card. Am I wrong?

Title: Re: Memory card problem: "CARD IS LOCKED"
Post by: flipp on December 15, 2009, 11:32:43 AM

Is there a tiny "switch" somewhere on the card itself? Similar to what floppy's had? I know some of the Memory Sticks have a very small "lock" switch near the contacts but don't have any SD cards to check..

Title: Re: Memory card problem: "CARD IS LOCKED"
Post by: itook2much on December 15, 2009, 07:48:14 PM

Looking at the card on the label side, right side up, there should be a little switch on the top of the left side.

(http://www.mymemory.co.uk/images/product_shots/1529_1201950234.jpg)

Title: Re: Memory card problem: "CARD IS LOCKED"
Post by: sethrich on December 16, 2009, 10:52:46 AM

Silly me, I overlooked the switch.

However, it turns out the switch is missing so now I'm fearing there's no way to unlock this card. Bah!

Title: Re: Memory card problem: "CARD IS LOCKED"
Post by: fmaderjr on December 21, 2009, 04:34:17 PM

You've probably already trashed the card, but if not:

The plastic toggle is there to activate a switch in the device (like in digital camera) not on the card. To get the device to see the card as unlocked, just glue a small piece of plastic to fill the slot in the side of the SD card casing. You will loose the SD card lock feature but at least you will be able to write data to the card again

Also, if you don't feel like gluing just stick a piece of tape on the side that will work too

Title: Re: Memory card problem: "CARD IS LOCKED"
Post by: sethrich on December 23, 2009, 03:12:14 PM

Quote from: fmaderjr on December 21, 2009, 04:34:17 PM

You've probably already trashed the card, but if not:

The plastic toggle is there to activate a switch in the device (like in digital camera) not on the card. To get the device to see the card as unlocked, just glue a small piece of plastic to fill the slot in the side of the SD card casing. You will loose the SD card lock feature but at least you will be able to write data to the card again

Also, if you don't feel like gluing just stick a piece of tape on the side that will work too

I actually haven't trashed it yet. It's worth about $35 so I think I'm gonna try the tape or glue and see if that works before throwing it out. Crossing my fingers it works. Thanks for the advice.

Title: Re: Memory card problem: "CARD IS LOCKED"
Post by: fmaderjr on December 23, 2009, 03:40:13 PM

I didn't know anything about the issue but was curious and did a quick Google search. that is what I turned up.

Title: Re: Memory card problem: "CARD IS LOCKED"
Post by: live2496 on December 23, 2009, 07:56:39 PM

According to this...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secure_Digital

The switch allows writing to the card unless it is in the locked position. But if the switch is missing it should be writable. 

I know this doesn't explain why, but it explains how it is supposed to work.