SD Card/Tascam DR-60D Problem

iamlance

iamlance

Well-known member
Hey, so I've run into a big problem. Sound files were recorded onto a 32gb Ultra Sandisk card and can be heard through the Tascam DR-60D device, but the SD card is not being registered on any computer (Mac or Windows).
We are currently attempting to access the files directly from the device through USB, so hopefully this will work. However, I would still like to get the fixed even if it works through that method.

Does anyone know what would cause this? Any solutions? Are the files and card trash?

I will update when the USB method is tested.

Edit: The Tascam DR-60D did not show up on the computer, though it said it was connected on the device itself.
 
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5 hours of work and TestDisk later, all 5000 files on the card previously deleted were recovered. Every previously deleted one had horrible static, though eventually it made the card readable again and the recent files were in perfect shape. SanDisk is going to get a very angry call tomorrow morning.

I'm still curious as to why this would happen. Please let me know if you have any ideas!
 
Could it have something to do with how the card was formatted?

Before every stills shoot, I format the card IN CAMERA, NEVER in the computer and NEVER delete dud shots. I've never had a problem when I follow this work flow.

However, I do notice issues when I take a card formatted in one camera and go to use it in another camera (even if the same brand).
 
Well I can't help with solutions...but honestly, I'm not entirely sure there are any. The SD-Card environment is simply fragile no matter how you slice it.

I know they are better than they used to be and bla bla bla....but I will grow old and die before recording important files on SD cards stops giving me the WILLIES.
 
iamlance said:
SanDisk is going to get a very angry call tomorrow morning.
Click to expand...

Before you place this swuarely on SanDisk...

SD cards have a failure rate, no matter who manufactures them. Some have higher failure than others, and SanDisk is certainly one of the lowest, but it can still happen.

It's been asked, but did you format the card in the recorder? Since you mention recovering previously-deleted files, I'm inclined to believe that you've manually deleted older files to make room for new recordings. This is a terrible idea. Once you have filled the card or wrapped the project, transfer the files to your computer/hard drive, then format the card. Rinse, repeat.

SD cards are one of the easiest things to counterfeit and the fakes are all over the place. Did you purchase from a reputable dealer, or did you buy from Amazon or eBay?
 
SD cards are actually an extremely solid performer, but as mentioned, everything can fail. Anyone fearing SD cards should also fear the SSD in their computer, they are the same technology but greater heat and performance expectations give a higher risk to the chips. Good flash memory is very nearly perfect, and we are talking Sandisk media here which is a very good brand. My only convern would be checking to make sure it is real Sandisk and not counterfeit, yes even a few big stores get taken once in a while. The cards that would not get sold mysteriously vanish from the reject bin, along with plastic and labels... Not too many years ago stores like Stapkes got bitten by this on (I think) Kingston brand cards. They also got bitten on counterfeit Epson inkjet cartridges a few years ago. The thieves are getting increasingly clever.
 
Yes, on the fakes, and yes on only formatting the card inside the recorder. Also, I personally NEVER delete files on the SD card on a computer - any deletions are done in the recorder (or in case I'm using the SD card in the camera for photos, I only delete photos on the card in-camera, never computer). I have had problems with CF cards years ago, when I deleted or formatted on a computer, and ever since I've avoided doing so for all media - I only use the computer to offload files from the SD or CF cards. Truth be told, when it comes to sound, I actually don't find myself deleting files on the SD - I fill up a card and use another one, or if I need it, once I don't need the files, I just format the card (inside the recorder), but never delete to make room etc. - deletions cause problems in my experience. Finally, I personally would never trust that SD card again - once you've had problems with it, how can you ever trust it for critical work? Too risky IMHO. I'd use that SD card for non-critical work only, where you can afford to lose files.
 
Definitely, if you have problems, time for a new card. Send it off for warranty replacement or just throw it away.
 
Not sure if this might help. Not sure if you are using a card reader or the device plugged into your CPU. If you are using the Tascam, has this device been used successfully in the past? If it is a new device, is there a driver required for you mount it on the CPU desktop?

And has other have mentioned, always, always, always format the card in the device, not on your CPU. And never just erase the old files, format the card.

Grant



iamlance said:
Hey, so I've run into a big problem. Sound files were recorded onto a 32gb Ultra Sandisk card and can be heard through the Tascam DR-60D device, but the SD card is not being registered on any computer (Mac or Windows).
We are currently attempting to access the files directly from the device through USB, so hopefully this will work. However, I would still like to get the fixed even if it works through that method.

Does anyone know what would cause this? Any solutions? Are the files and card trash?

I will update when the USB method is tested.

Edit: The Tascam DR-60D did not show up on the computer, though it said it was connected on the device itself.
Click to expand...
 
SanDisk has a lifetime warranty...If the media is genuine.

I just got one replaced, the write protect broke on a 32GB SanDisk Extreme Pro and all of my cameras "reported" it as write protected. Contacted SanDisk by email, attached a copy of the B&H receipt. They replied asking for some info printed on the card and after I sent that to them, SanDisk sent me a return label. Just a few days later I got a notice from them that warranty was verified and a replacement was being shipped.

The whole process was "painless" for me. I haven't purchased anything but SanDisk flash media since sometime in 2008, this was the first problem I've had with their products.
 
Thanks for all the replies! I did not know the riskiness involved in deleting directly from the card, so that may have had some effect on it. I searched every site I order from (B&H, Amazon, eBay, etc.) and cannot find any orders for the sd cards (though I did find other items that were purchased around the same time). I remember being worried about the risk of counterfeit cards, so I bet I purchased from B&H. Too bad I cannot find out for sure.

Ironically enough, a couple hours after posting this thread, I had a failure on my other SD card (this one was a 32gb SanDisk Extreme)! I put several of the recovered files on the other SD card, and when put in another computer, had transformed the files into one big system file. I don't know what happened, but I had luckily uploaded a copy already.

So it looks like I'll be keeping both of those cards for less important tasks. They were only a couple years old, so I'm disappointed they didn't last longer.

The replacement cards will definitely be purchased from B&H, and I'll keep in mind the formatting tip.

FYI, everyone should go download that recovery program! If you are patient, it works flawlessly!
 
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