Okay, lets tackle for a while with a very quick steps to fix and repair memory card problems and failure. Hope this might enlighten to those who are having trouble dealing with memory card problems on mobile phones.
Memory card problems occurred in two ways:
Software related and can be fix via software tools and hardware related failure that can only fix via hardware repair.
Software related problems on Memory Card problems
In most common cases of software related memory card problems is the "
memory card corrupted issues". and it shows a message display like the image below.
This problem is not a hardware failure and can only be fix by reformatting the memory card. A corrupted memory card indicates that the data stored on it where interrupted or destroyed and the phone will not be able to read it, and sometimes a severely damaged corrupted memory can't be fix or repair anymore.
Memory cards are also a certain circuit inside on the plastic covers.
Now, how this things happens that makes the memory card corrupted? There are several reasons that a memory card can be corrupted, either SD card, miniSd card and microSD card. One of these is by due of storing a data applications files that contains a virus that destroys the memory card encrypted files, also due to interruption during the storing and transferring process. In some cases a full and heavily stored memory card also result to keep the phone slowing, frozen or hang up when opening an application stored on it.
A severely damaged memory card are those destroyed by static discharge and can be found it sometimes hard to fix or can't be fix anymore. Static discharge damaged is cause by sudden shock of electricity came from the human body. Many among mobile phone users doesn't know about this.
Flash memories are sensitive devices and can be easily damaged when mishandling improperly. "DO NOT TOUCH the memory card pinouts directly with your bare naked hands".
That is why in mobile phones circuit designed there are ESD and EMI filter chips connected to it.
Formatting a memory cards
Formatting a memory card is so easy and everyone can do it with a personal computer and a memory card reader. There are many varieties of memory card readers you can avail on your nearest computer stores.
step 1: Insert the memory card into memory card reader which is to be formatted.
step 2: Plug your memory card reader in any of the USB (universal serial bus) port of your computer. It might be on the front of the PC or may be at the back of the PC.
step 3: Then open My Computer, right click the drive that belongs to removable disk drive and choose FORMAT from the menu. (A window appears on the screen)
step 4: and then choose the desired file system type from file system drop down menu like Fat32.
step 5: type in the volume label for your memory card in the volume label text box and then press Start button to start formatting of the memory card.
step 6: A warning message will be appeared on the screen showing that all the data in the memory card will be erased. Press Ok button to start formatting process.
step 7: A message will be appeared on the screen "Format complete". Means your memory card is successfully formatted.
If the following error messages appeared while trying to format
1. "
Memory card is write protected"
- Check the lock of the memory card adopter if you are using a adopter.
2. "
No removable device detected or no removable disk inserted"
- Check whether memory card is inserted into card reader properly
- Check whether memory card is inserted into the adopter properly or not if you are using adopter formicro.
- If still not detected try to restart the computer while the memory is connected
This errors also indicates that the memory card is severly damaged, and you need particular software tools in order to make the memory card be readable by the PC.
Visit
here for some tools that you may use to format a severe damaged or corrupted memory card.
Note: keep in mind that a severely damaged memory card can be hard to repair or unrepairable.
Hardware related problems on Memory Card failures
Since software related can only be fixed via PC and software tools, hardware related problems may absolutely not. If the device shows up on the display "memory card not inserted" and you already tried and ensuring that the memory card you inserted on the device is good and perfectly working, but the problemstill exists.
But first try this method below before proceeding to hardware repair:
Flash, restore and update the phones firmware - some factors that devices may unable to detect because of the phone's firmware failure. If flashing , restoring and updating is all been done and nothing happens you may then proceed to hardware repair methods below.
Basic Memory card not detected troubleshooting procedures:
1. Managed to disassemble the device carefully.
2. Locate the memory card slot assembly and check for dirt,oxidation and breakage.
Clean, fix if found out.
3. Apply supply voltage to the device using a DC power supply;
Check the MMC detection switch voltage, you can read about 1.8 volts in that area if the switch is unpressed. If there is no voltage reading check the corresponding components connected to it, it is often composed of a resistors that has a value range from 10ohms to 2.2Kiloohms and an ESD protection component that looks like a resistor also, it should not be found shorted if being check.
If there still no voltage can be read on that area, the line tracks of that certain area may possibly be cut or open, tracing it can be hard for beginners for it is connected to the application processor chip. Reworking the application processor may help fix the problem.
4. Assuming that the MMC detection switch is okay. Check the MMC supply voltage refer to the MMC pin-outs to configure where the positive supply voltage is connected. You can easily identify what pins are those for power supply for it is scaled larger longer or larger than other.
You can get voltage reading in that area about 1.8 volts while pressing or inserting the memory card. If there is no voltage trace the power supply voltage line paths this is often located and feeds from the power IC.
Check also the memory card pin connector groundings connection.
5. If the power supply voltage is not present or no voltage readings, trace and do a continuity check for the line paths across from the power management IC chips. There is a certain component like a a filter chip capacitor that connected to it. Apply jumper when necessary or if the line is cut or open.
6. If those methods above seems to be okay, the next part will be replacing a new MMC ESD filter chips.
Hope this helps to those having troubles how to repair memory card problems on hardware related issues.
For further knowledge about memory cards just visit the memory card manufacturers websites sometimes they offer information about their products like this following list, Sandisk, sony, kingston, transcend, panasonic, kodak,pny, lexar, intuix, pqi, apacer, takems and many more.
