Every microSD is 'memory card unreadable'

[Zaspath]

Hi,

 

I recently bought the Jaguar GameDrive from Retro Gamer Stuff in the UK.

 

I've been through 3 microSD cards, an 8, 32 and a 64gb one (Lexar and two Samsung EVO cards), every time I turn on the system I get 'memory card unreadable'. I've tried formatting in different cluster sizes, also as a logical and primary partition all Fat32.

Could I be doing something wrong? I've cleaned the cartridge slot and cartridge. Any help very much appreciated! I've run out of ideas.

 

Thanks.

[SainT]

Try giving the memory card and memory card socket a clean if you can. Unfortunately if this doesn’t work it may well be a bad contact on the memory card socket. I’ve seen this a few times and you’ll need to get a replacement. ?

[Rick Dangerous]

It will only take up to a 32 GB card.

 

Did you put the firmware update on the card before installing?  

[Zaspath]

The 8 and 32gb don't work, yes the correct firmware from the QR code is in the root of the microSD, I'm leaning more towards what SainT has stated, that the contacts are bad, I've tried Isopropanol on the microSD card and inserted it a number of times, no change.

[sheath]

My GameDrive just started doing this.  Every SD card I have results in "Memory Card Unreadable."  I've cleaned the SD Cards with Isopropyl and the GD cartridge pins.  It was working the last time I turned on my Jag.  Is there a way to flash the firmware again just to see if maybe that was the issue?  The GUI switches from insert Card to Memory Card unreadable instantly if I press the card in or out while the system is on and it clicks fully into place like it should before the "Unreadable" message appears.  I'm not sure how that could be a bad physical connection.   I do have a warranty with Stoneage gamer, I'm just hoping I can try some things before I go that route.

[sheath]

On 6/19/2021 at 8:55 AM, sheath said:

My GameDrive just started doing this.  Every SD card I have results in "Memory Card Unreadable."  I've cleaned the SD Cards with Isopropyl and the GD cartridge pins.  It was working the last time I turned on my Jag.  Is there a way to flash the firmware again just to see if maybe that was the issue?  The GUI switches from insert Card to Memory Card unreadable instantly if I press the card in or out while the system is on and it clicks fully into place like it should before the "Unreadable" message appears.  I'm not sure how that could be a bad physical connection.   I do have a warranty with Stoneage gamer, I'm just hoping I can try some things before I go that route.

Reading in the 'Upcoming Jaguar Gamedrive" thread I found an exchange about Windows Disk Management.  Here is what my new Sandisk looks like:

 

I'm having defraggler move all of the large files from the end of the SD Card to the front now just to see if that does anything.  Then I'll start formatting SD Cards with various free and official programs to FAT16 and FAT32 just to see if I can get anything to read.  Oh, and I'll blow out the SD card port of the GameDrive with a 100PSI air compressor as well.  The cards all read on my Everdrives and my new USB3.0 card reader, but it seems like a software thing to me.  I am also able to solder if we want to talk with StoneAge about not voiding my warranty.

Edited June 20, 2021 by sheath
Mad Smelling

[Zaspath]

Just to bring this thread to a close in some way. I partitioned mine the same way as you did sheath, performed numerous formats, changed block size etc... In my case though (as SainT stated), the contacts on the microSD card slot were bad, my replacement has had no issue at all with the 8, 32 and a 64gb cards. I don't believe the firmware will flash again if it recognises that the existing firmware is already up to date.

[UHATEIT]

That's good product support if they sent a replacement and that was the issue. I had the same issue when my GD came from Atari Age I was literally 1 out of the 200 sent that had the issue, no one else had the micro SD slot issue. None of like 7 cards worked for me. But Albert was awesome and allowed me to ship it back. He tested it himself and confirmed it would not read any SD card, sent me a new one and never had the problem since. Been working flawlessly for the most part on the replacement. 

[oakcitycomics]

On 7/7/2021 at 9:18 AM, Zaspath said:

Just to bring this thread to a close in some way. I partitioned mine the same way as you did sheath, performed numerous formats, changed block size etc... In my case though (as SainT stated), the contacts on the microSD card slot were bad, my replacement has had no issue at all with the 8, 32 and a 64gb cards. I don't believe the firmware will flash again if it recognises that the existing firmware is already up to date.

My recent one from Retro Game Stuff is doing this exact behavior. Did you go through them for the replacement or send to SainT?