ist DS memory card error

I bought an ist DS mail order. When it arrived I tried a new SanDisk Extreme III 4GB SD-HC card that the local photoshop recommended. Plugging it in I received Memory Card Error. Having read about underpowered batteries giving this error, I went out and picked up some CR-V3's. I received the same error. I had a 32MB Lexar SD card laying around and tried it, same error. I've looked through all my documentation and searched online and can not find a Pentax recommended make and model of SD cards for used with the DS. Also, could this be a sign that the camera itself is bad? If so, is it repairable, and what should I expect to pay?

Thanks,
David

hold the menu button while turning on the power...what firmware version u running? VER : 1.02?
try an older (class 4 or older) 1 gig card....
you may be one firmware upgrade away from a working card.....
also, I know this sounds stupid...but it's easy enough to push the lock slider on the cards to "locked" while inserting the cards into the camera...

Almost certainly the cards are too large for the camera. In any event, don't forget to format a card in the camera before use.

The firmware is version 2.00. I don't have much experience with SD cards. How do I tell what class they are? The lock is disabled on both cards. I checked that several times.

Thanks
David

Hi David, I don't have a DS myself, but a look at the Pentax website informs that SD-HC support was added with version 2.01 of firmware. The current version 2.02 is claimed to offer improved support for the same.
http://tinyurl.com/bzbdx

I use the same Sandisk cards and have found them to be extremely reliable on my K10. You will need to have at least version 2.01 firmware installed on the DS for the camera to recognise them

As for the Lexar card, have you carried out any checks on that, ie can you read and write to it from a computer? If you can then the card should be OK and it may be a camera issue.

Steve

The Sandisk extreme cards do work with the DS but only with the firmware version mentioned above. The Lexar card is so small you'd only get two RAW images on it so perhaps that is an issue.

SDHC cards only work with firmware 2.01 and 2.02.
I never bothered with them in the Ds, and never used a card larger than 2Gb with it - you can fit a lot of RAW photos onto 2 Gb with a Ds.

Thanks, I'm stuck in an airport at the moment, so no AC power is available, but I will try to do the firmware update. I downloaded 2.02.

Thanks again.

Don't forget that you will need a 2GB or less card to put it on so that you can install it on the DS!

Or use the USB cable.

G

I picked up a no-name 1GB at the airport today and it works perfectly. Thanks everyone. I checked the 32Meg card in my laptop and it was indeed dead. Going to do the firmware update as soon as a finish having joy in my heart from taking tons of photos with the 1Gig card for the next day or so.

((In 1997 or so I told everyone I knew that I would never do digital for 35mm, MF or 4x5. Well now I'm a lier about 35mm.))

Thanks again,
Dave

I had a similar problem with a 4GB card I bought for my DS. Upgrading the firmware fixed it no problem. I wish the Nikon D50 I have that was released 6 months after the DS could be upgraded to suppot SDHC, Pentax aren't such bad lads.

Completed the firmware update. 2.02 with 4 gigs of crunchy SD-HC goodness.

Thanks for everyone's help.