Transferring files from card reader to computer: I have a Nikon D300 and I am new to digital photography. I placed the disc in the card reader and plugged into my computer. My computer...

btharp1948 Loc: Memphis, TN

I have a Nikon D300 and I am new to digital photography. I placed the disc in the card reader and plugged into my computer. My computer says the file is empty, and I am given the message that I need to scan my E Drive to clean the drive. Does anyone have any suggestions about how I can handle this problem.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I used to get that message from time to time and just ignored it. One suggestion I'd make is to use the free transfer software from Nikon, ViewNX. I've used that software exclusively for transferring photos from card to computer for the last 10 years.
--Bob

btharp1948 wrote:

I have a Nikon D300 and I am new to digital photography. I placed the disc in the card reader and plugged into my computer. My computer says the file is empty, and I am given the message that I need to scan my E Drive to clean the drive. Does anyone have any suggestions about how I can handle this problem.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Sounds like a driver for the card reader needs to be updated within the computer. Did the card reader come with any software? Can you go to the vendor website for the card reader brand / model and see if some software can be downloaded? What operating system does your computer use?

The D300 has a USB connection. What happens when you leave the card in the body, turn the body off, connect the USB between the camera and computer and then turn on the camera? Does the computer recognize the camera and offer to copy the files?

David Martin Loc: Cary, NC

What type of card? Perhaps it's your card reader. I experienced repeated problems with XQD card readers and have resorted to transferring files by connecting my camera directly to my computer using the USB cord that came with the camera, rather than removing the card and then connecting a card reader to the computer.

btharp1948 Loc: Memphis, TN

Thank you for your response. I will try your suggestions. I have an HP computer with Windows 10. The card reader did not come with any software. My computer is old, which I think is part of the problem.

BebuLamar

btharp1948 wrote:

Thank you for your response. I will try your suggestions. I have an HP computer with Windows 10. The card reader did not come with any software. My computer is old, which I think is part of the problem.

I don't think the age of your computer is the problem as the D300 is also old. What if you skip the scan what would it say?

BebuLamar

David Martin wrote:

What type of card? Perhaps it's your card reader. I experienced repeated problems with XQD card readers and have resorted to transferring files by connecting my camera directly to my computer using the USB cord that came with the camera, rather than removing the card and then connecting a card reader to the computer.

If I am not mistaken the D300 takes CF card.

bleirer

Possibly useful article on how to update the driver.

https://www.driversupport.com/knowledge-article/how-to-update-your-sd-card-reader-driver/

tcthome Loc: NJ

btharp1948 wrote:

I have a Nikon D300 and I am new to digital photography. I placed the disc in the card reader and plugged into my computer. My computer says the file is empty, and I am given the message that I need to scan my E Drive to clean the drive. Does anyone have any suggestions about how I can handle this problem.

PC? If so try clicking on This PC on the left side in Microsoft Explorer. It will show all your drives. It should show your card as a drive with a letter. ( mine would show D810) Click on that & then DCMI shows & click on that. Then the location of your photos should show. If you are putting them in your Pictures folder you can open to Explorer screens & copy to a folder of your choice. Are you using Lightroom or what software or another Photo post processing software at all?

jeffhacker Loc: Dallas, Texas

btharp1948 wrote:

Thank you for your response. I will try your suggestions. I have an HP computer with Windows 10. The card reader did not come with any software. My computer is old, which I think is part of the problem.

Not a problem. I've had the same problem with XQD cards on my Nikon D500, and now my Z6. I have a Sony card reader; thought it might be the card (no sofware for that reader), so got another one from my local camera store. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. So I got a third one - never works. Nobody has any idea why. At least with the older cameras I could use SD cards and they did transfer; the Z6 only has an XQD :-(.

btharp1948 Loc: Memphis, TN

Thank you so much!

Bayou

When I put a CF card (Nikon D300) in the reader, Windows always prompts me to scan and repair the card. I ignore this and it works as it should anyway. Allowing a computer to "repair" or "fix" a drive or data card can subject the card to formatting or loss of data in some cases.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Can you plug the camera (with the card) into the computer?

Try using the reader with a different card.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

If your PC has a card reader built in (most do), use that and Windows File Explorer to copy the files to your HD or an external drive. If it doesn’t have a card reader, use your camera's USB connection to do the copy as others have suggested.

JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles

I have an old D200 CF Card for a lug around camera and have never had a problem with the memory card in a built-in or external reader. Make certain that your card is only formatted in your camera. Once you have successfully transferred your images, format the card in your camera and place it in your card reader. If it asks to scan for errors, do so (empty card) and then reformat in the camera. That should help.

I have a Sony card reader for XQD and have never had a problem with the cards or reader.