" Memory Card Error "

A friend has reciently got themselves an *ist DL2, that when switched on shows " Memory Card Error " on the screen. The menu is still viueable but their instruction book ait'n very helpfull. Sevelal other memory sticks have been tried, 2GB, 4GB and 8GB and although they all work in their own cameras " Memory Card Error " still comes up in his *ist. Formating has also been tried with no effect. ??? Any helpfull advice ???

Maybe it doesn't like SDHC cards. Can you try an old SD card that is less than 2Gb ? If that works it gives a clue.

Then is it on the latest firmware?
V1.0 didn't support SDHC cards.
V1.01 added support for SDHC Memory cards
V1.02 added additional compatible SDHC Memory card support

Here's a link to Pentax's firmware update page link

John

Pete - I'm guessing that the other cameras that can read the cards are different models/makes? Rather than format the card via the computer, browse to the card via the control panel, then individually erase (not format) every file, including the root directory. Your card is theoretically blank when you do this, so when you insert the card into the *ist DL2, it should (hopefully) create a brand-new root directory for that card. Also follow JAK's advice by updating your firmware.

As a "worst-case scenario", download a program called ZERO ASSUMPTION FILE RECOVERY. Run this program with your card, as it may simply be a hidden corrupt file on the card that's causing this error. I'd also gently blow some air through the card insert slot, as it might even be a stray bit of fluff in there!

Hi, Thank's to all who replied. It always puts you in a spot when a friend asks for help and..........you are stuck with a red face.

SDHC cards seem to be the problem. I found a couple of 1GB SD cards and they both work fine. My friend got her camera from EBAY and it came complete with 2 batteries, charger, discs, instructions and 2 4GB SDHC cards. I'll do her a swap, the IGB cards for the 4GB cards.

Like Jak said have you checked the firmware number? Switch on while holding the menu button down and that will show the version number on the screen. If it is not up to date then follow the link and update the firmware. I had the *istD origonally and that needed updating to accept SDHC cards.
CHEERS Vic.

If you update the camera firmware it should take the 4Gb cards. I'm sure your friend would prefer to have the 8Gb storage she bought rather than just 2 !

That camera's firmware is probably currently v1.0.
To check the version number, turn your camera on while holding down the MENU button. The version number will appear in the centre of the LCD screen.
Presumably you will now want to download the latest firmware, v1.02.
This looks to be a better link to download it from:
http://www.pentax.jp/english/support/digital/20060907e3.html

From that link you will download a file titled: dl2e102w.EXE

Once you have that file downloaded, copy it to the root directory of one of those 1Gb cards (or another blank, formatted SD card with 8MB or more.) Then while the SD card is still in your PC, run that file to extract the FWDC150B.BIN file and a readme document.
Have a read of that readme!
Now make sure that the camera batteries are fresh.

If the camera power is on, turn it off.

Insert the SD card into the camera.

Turn the camera power on while pressing the MENU button.

"NOW LOADING" appears in the LCD monitor, and will change to "PROGRAM UPDATE". At the bottom of the LCD monitor,

CURRENT VERSION 1.00/1.01
UPDATE VERSION 1.02
will be displayed.

Press the four-way controller to select "YES" and press the "OK" button.

"UPDATING" appears on the LCD monitor and updating starts.

Do not under any circumstances switch off the power before the update is completed.

It will take approximately 90 seconds to complete update.

When update is completed, the "COMPLETE" will be displayed at the left bottom of the LCD monitor, then turn the camera off.

Remove the update SD card from the camera.

To check the Firmware version in your camera, turn the camera on while pressing the MENU button. Check that the version displayed in the LCD monitor is 1.02.

The camera automatically starts up after about 5 seconds.

When updating is finished, the update SD card still contains the Firmware file. If you want to use this card to take pictures, delete the Firmware file first (or reforamt the card).

Alternatively, try one of those 4Gb cards that didn't work and hopefully they'll now will.

John

Just to point out that apparently all was well with a standard SD card but it didn't like SDHC ones. There was a reason for that, SDHC post dated the camera and support for it wasn't added until the firmware updates were released.
It was reported that all the the memory cards worked fine in other cameras so the OP needs to make the camera SDHC compatible by updating the firmware.
That file recovery program would be useful if a card that had been working had gone bad, but that isn't the case here.

John