great8hiker

Have a HP desktop that has a builtin memory card reader. The builtin memory card has stopped being recognized by the computer. Called HP and they updated the driver for the memory card. Still isn't recognized. I checked and it is a Realtek USB 2.0 card reader. Wrote them an email to see if they would offer help. So far, no word from them (they didn't list a phone number}. A work around is to use a USB card reader but I liked the use the builtin slot. Using WINDOWS 10 64-bit. Thank You Fellow Hedgehoggers.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Avoid the hassle and get one of these. If it breaks, just get another one.

https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=usb+memory+card+adapters

Tet68survivor Loc: Pomfret Center CT

You may be having out of date driver issues! Go to Device Manager and check to see if reader is functioning properly, do a driver update via the Web, restart your computer to make changes effective. Usually " out of date drivers" cause this. You did not say what OS version you are using, external reader most likely needs driver update, this is common!

cdayton

If a new driver doesn't work, I would suspect electrical/mechanical issues with the slot. It can probably by replaced fairly easily but much simpler to go with an external USB reader. I use a fast Kingston unit that reads CF on down.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

If you solve the issue, I'd discontinue the use of the built in one because it is USB 2.0. Buy a USB 3.0 reader. Not expensive and will last a long time. I have used mine for years, without issues or failure. Transcend TS-RDP8K. https://www.amazon.com/Transcend-Super-Multi-Card-Reader-TS-RDF8K/dp/B0056TYRMW/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1503403395&sr=8-3-fkmr1&keywords=transcend+ts-rdp8k%2C+usb+3.0
Mark

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Wouldn't the computer have to be 3.0 also?

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

One can have both USB 2.0 & 3.0 in the same computer. I certainly do.
Mark

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I assume from your post that your reader will not recognize any cards of any size. If that is correct, then it is very likely a hardware or Windows 10 setup issue, although these are rare.

Please note that there are at least 3 families of full-size SD cards...the original SD card, SDHC, and SDXC. These came about as capacities increased and the required interface to access the higher capacities changed. These three families are physically identical, but electrically very different. Most, but not all, readers can be modified to read the newer cards with a driver update, but some cannot.

I do not have any HP computers with the reader that you describe. But if you've not done it already, I'd suggest digging out an plain old original technology 1, 2, or 4GB SD card and see if your machine will recognize it. If not, there is almost certainly either a hardware problem or a Windows 10 setup problem. If so, and if you still cannot read the newer cards, there is either a driver problem or your reader is not updatable.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

But the computer must be built with 3.0 capability, right?

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Jerry,
I believe the motherboard must have either or both. Maybe the computer gurus will clarify that for us.
Mark

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

While connectors are physically the same, there is a difference in the hardware supporting USB 3.0. A port designed and built for USB3.0 is required.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Yes, I think I did know that. I installed one in my PC because I was short USB 3.0 slots. The architecture must be present on the MB in order to install a USB 3.0 port or will most MB's support a 3.0 port?
Thanks, Larry.
Mark

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

That's an interesting question, and I think I know the answer, but we may get a better one from someone else...

In general, I have so far found all USB ports to be backward-compatible...they will work fine with the earlier standards. The potential problem that I see, however, is that the motherboard built for 2.0 ports might not have the ability or horsepower to drive the new port at full 3.0 speeds. I've not tried to do that yet, and can't speak with confidence about what might happen. I have also noticed that the USB cable that came with my D810 has a two-part connector on the camera end. Since I don't routinely connect to by camera bodies using the USB port, I've not sat down and figured that one out either.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

OK. We'll just wait to see what is posted. I also found backward compatibility.

blackest Loc: Ireland

Here's a handy page http://www.allusb.com/usb-explained

short version USB 3 has more data lines and thats why its faster. USB 2.0 has +v gnd D+ and D- If the extra lines are on the usb socket and the cable and the device you get usb3 transfer speeds. Without the port just see's the basic lines and falls back to usb 2.0 protocol

The built in card reader is a bit tougher to figure out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmdlBshSAzQ try this initially

~Advanced~

In device manager you need to find the VID and PID for the card reader when you have that you should be able to find the chip used.
You then may find a driver for that chip and possibly a modified inf file for that chip.

Windows 10 is looking for a suitable driver by matching the VID and PID but its the underlying ic that drives that port that really matters, there may not be anything or another company may have a windows 10 driver that suits the chip / ic. It's a 99% chance that you are not the only person who has had this problem. If it's fixable someone will have fixed it. but once you have VID and PID and add Windows 10 into the search you will probably find a forum post with a fix.

It depends really on how long production lasted on that chip. End manufacturers tend not to care about supporting hardware they no longer sell, which is fair enough. Chip manufacturers may have a reference driver...