Why isn't my sd cards working on my dslr?

[quelle]

My sd cards can't seem to work on my Canon 500d. I formatted the card on the camera and there are photos when I click preview on the camera but when I transfer the photos to my computer, the card reads "Folder is empty".

I put the card back into the camera, switch it on and it says "Cannot create folder" and all my photos disappeared too.

Tried many cards but all are like that.
Why is this happening? How to solve it?

 

[night86mare]

more details, how did you do the transfer, etc

 

[GavinTing]

Using Memory Card Reader? Yes, what type?
Using Mac / PC?
Using what software to read?

What brand are your cards?

 

[mummum]

There's a read only/read+write or lock/unlock switch on the SD card. Probably you might want to verify that the switch is in unlock state.

 

[quelle]

Thanks everybody. I've found a solution and it's working now.

 

[Sivakis]

Thanks everybody. I've found a solution and it's working now.

Perhaps you can share with us what happened so that if any of us folks encounter a similar problem it might be the solution as well?

 

[quelle]

Perhaps you can share with us what happened so that if any of us folks encounter a similar problem it might be the solution as well?

Well, I guess we have to use usb cable for the first time transfering to computer 'cos initially the sd card has no folder. But after transfering using usb cable once, I noticed there are two folders created automatically namely DCIM and MISC and the photos will then be stored inside DCIM.

 

[watsup]

i do not have to use a usb cable for transferring photos to my computer leh... in fact i never use it before... always use a card read for transferring... very weird problem... i am using a 450D

 

[thengz]

i do not have to use a usb cable for transferring photos to my computer leh... in fact i never use it before... always use a card read for transferring... very weird problem... i am using a 450D

Think the camera package should come with a USB cable. Check inside your box!

 

[quelle]

i do not have to use a usb cable for transferring photos to my computer leh... in fact i never use it before... always use a card read for transferring... very weird problem... i am using a 450D

As long as it can be transfered, that's good.

 

[Sivakis]

That sounds weird.

I popped in the brand new Kingston 8GB free card into my 500D, took shots, plugged the card straight into my card reader and everything ran as per normal. Quick format on card, plugged back in, camera recognizes with no issues.

My USB cable still in wrapping.

Interesting experience you got there. Will remember this in case it happens to me next time.

 

[calebk]

You might want to consider using a card reader. Card readers are usually faster.

 

[dision]

TS might be using a non SDHC compliant card reader. Hence all the 4GB and above cards cannot read properly.

 

[Octarine]

Well, I guess we have to use usb cable for the first time transfering to computer 'cos initially the sd card has no folder. But after transfering using usb cable once, I noticed there are two folders created automatically namely DCIM and MISC and the photos will then be stored inside DCIM.

These folders are created by the camera during formatting / file system preparation. Would be the first time that USB cable transfer creates folders on memory cards.