SD Card shows the right size, but no file in the folders!

[IMAyNeed]

I copy 20 GB data to SD Card.
In Windows Explorer, I click on the drive (G: ) and it says that 20 GB is used.
I go to the main folder that I copied the files (G:\My Files), it shows as 7 GB.
I go to the sub folders, and (just examples) folders A, B, C, D shows the files correctly, but folders E, F, G, H, even though it shows the folders, there are no files in it. (It just shows G:\E, not G:\E\folder1)
No file is hidden. I tried formatting and using different machines (and a phone).
If the files are not there, how come 3 computers shows the size correctly on the drive; if the files are there, where are they?
How can I solve this problem.
Thanks.

 

[youravinalarrrf]

Test it with H2testw v1.4 SD Card Tester to make sure you've not been sold a fake which shows larger capacity than it really has. Download available here http://www.heise.de/ct/Redaktion/bo/downloads/h2testw_1.4.zip

A bit more reading here GoPro User Forum ? View topic - SD Card testing: please get involved

 

[dsperber]

What size is the SD card? 64GB??

And is it formatted FAT32 or NTFS??

Windows has a problem with FAT32 and larger than 32GB, depending on the device used as the "reader" or "writer". If the card is in your phone or portable music player player then it's a function of the firmware in that device whether or not a FAT32 card larger than 32GB will be properly seen and supported.

Best bet (and 100% guaranteed success) if you must have FAT32 on a 64GB card is to:

(1) use an external USB card reader such as this one for all WRITE operations, including FORMAT.

(2) use GUIFormat to FORMAT the card to FAT32 (while it is in the external card reader)

Once the SD card has been formatted and/or written-to using the external card reader, don't forget to "safely remove hardware" and then unplug the reader, and remove the card, and reinstall it into your portable music player or phone.

My experience (with a Cowon J3 music player, which was designed to support only a 32GB microSDHC card) is that it WILL accept and READ a 64GB FAT32 card only that has been written to via an external card reader. Using the J3 itself as the "reader/writer" (which is fine for a 32GB FAT32 card) will fail with a 64GB FAT32 card. So all of the maintenance of the music files on my 64GB card are handled with the card inserted into the external card reader, rather than with it inserted in the J3.

Theoretically Windows and FAT32 support large cards (e.g. 64GB and larger), but the firmware of the device in which the card is read/written is really the issue, and how it presents information (correctly or incorrectly) to Windows is where the problem starts. But going through an external USB card reader like the one I linked to above seems to be universally 100% successful in dealing with large FAT32 cards.

 

[Slartybart]

Try a Command Prompt directory list on the card.
Assuming the card is E:\

dir E:\ /s /a

 

[IMAyNeed]

Card seems to be defective according to the test.
Ok, that can be.
But how come Windows Explorer shows the exact size as it should be on the drive.

G:\ = Used Size: 20GB (As it exactly should be)

G:\Folder = Size: 7GB

How come?
How come the drive is 20 GB full and the only folder in it has 7 GB and the files are not hidden or anything?

And

G:\Folder\Subfolder1 = All files there.
G:\Folder\Subfolder2 = All files there.
G:\Folder\Subfolder3 = All files there.
G:\Folder\Subfolder4 = All files there.

G:\Folder\Subfolder5\F1\FF1 = Empty
G:\Folder\Subfolder5\F1\FF2 = Empty
G:\Folder\Subfolder5\F1\FF3 = Empty
G:\Folder\Subfolder5\F1\FF4 = Empty

G:\Folder\Subfolder6 = Empty
G:\Folder\Subfolder7 = Empty
G:\Folder\Subfolder8 = Empty
G:\Folder\Subfolder9 = Empty

Where are the rest of the files are going in the drive. THe drive shows the exact used size both in different computers and phones as 20GB, but files do not show up.

The card can be defective, my questions are mostly technical right now, just to learn that how both Windows and Phone software can show the right size and even the main folders, but not the files or subfolders in it. Where are those gone? They must be in the drive as the right size appears in Windows Explorer.

Cards are 32 GB and 64 GB for technical info.
The heise.de test showed the 32 GB defective. Haven’t tested 64 GB yet.
Tried with external drive and formatting with guiformat. (Did the heise.de test after these).

As I said, I just want to learn that how come the right size appears, as for years when an SD Card is corrupted, usually the files seems to be gone completely (not showing any folders) and the size dissappears also, but in these ones right size is there and the folders are there, just no files.

(Sorry for the repeats, it is a habit I couldn’t change -yet-)

 

[Slartybart]

This is a card you use in your phone, correct?

Next time you have it in Windows, http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/274797-disk-management-post-screen-capture-image.html

and

Try a Command Prompt directory list on the card.
Assuming the card is E:\

dir E:\ /s /a > C:\SDcardlist.txt
attach SDcardlist.txt to a post (use the paperclip icon on the post window menu to attach a file)

Thanks

 

[youravinalarrrf]

Can't help you with the technical side of thiings but I bought a Sandisk 32GB card from ebay a couple of years ago and the H2testw v1.4 SD Card Tester results showed the following

Warning: Only 31987 of 31988 MByte tested.
The media is likely to be defective.
1.9 GByte OK (3991552 sectors)
29.3 GByte DATA LOST (61517824 sectors)
Details:47.1 MByte overwritten (96576 sectors)
0 KByte slightly changed (< 8 bit/sector, 0 sectors)
29.2 GByte corrupted (61421248 sectors)
17.8 MByte aliased memory (36608 sectors)
First error at offset: 0x0000000079cf8000
Expected: 0x0000000079cf8000
Found: 0x0000000000000000
H2testw version 1.3
Writing speed: 1.90 MByte/s
Reading speed: 3.68 MByte/s
H2testw v1.4

It turned out the 32GB card was in fact a 2GB card with counterfeit firmware on it (made in China) making it appear to Windows as a 32GB card until you got past the real 2GB limit of the card.

Both the packaging and card looked authentic but further confirmation that it was a counterfeit card was obtained when the barcode on the packaging was scanned and showed the item did not exist. Needless to say I obtained a full refund and the seller was banned. Apparently these counterfeit cards are not uncommon so I now always buy from a reputable source......lesson learned!

 

[dsperber]

Don't think "defective" SD card.

Think "counterfeit".

You get what you pay for, and if you buy a card because of its "great price", you must really be careful. Sure, none of us wants to pay full retail and we all want to get a good deal, but you need to know your vendor source.

EVERY card you buy no matter what the source should be verified using H2Testw as was mentioned. This is 100% true and should be adhered to 100% of the time. I, too, bought what was supposed to be a SanDisk 32GB microSDHC card a few years back at a "great price", and it was a 2GB card revealed by H2Testw. We all will run into it at one time.

If you get a "lemon" (i.e. fake/counterfeit) return it if possible, if you can.

 

[IMAyNeed]

Must be counterfeit.
Yes, got at a good price, but lost the money I guess (I am in a different city now).
I was hoping that they would work at least in ntfs format, but if they are not real at all, it wouldn’t work either.
Thanks for the help and advices.
(Still will check the 64 gb now, but not much hope)

Still: How come after 20GB copying on it, Windows Explorer is showing that the card is 20 GB full even after removing the card and putting it on a different machine or a phone?
That part is still a question on my mind.
(Maybe it is just corrupted data as shown in the test)

 

[dsperber]

Still: How come after 20GB copying on it, Windows Explorer is showing that the card is 20 GB full even after removing the card and putting it on a different machine or a phone?
That part is still a question on my mind.

My guess is that the real existing 2GB covered where the file system sectors had been written, even though none of the corresponding data was ever written to where it was supposed to go since that area didn't actually exist.

So if you look at the "table of contents", it looks like the data is using so much of the capacity. But when you go out and then try to read the data, it's not there to be found.

Hey, how does one create a "fake" 32GB-appearing device when it only has 2GB for real? How can it be engineered so that the WRITE operations appear to be successful, and yet nothing actually got written?? I don't know, but these counterfeiters clearly know what they're doing.

Anyway, just write it off to experience. And be thankful for H2Testw.

 

[gfmoore]

Man, I can't believe I was caught out by this scam.

I've worked with computers since 1979, before the IBM PC. You think I'd know better.

Got a Tab S6, looked at some specs, 512GB limit on micro sd. so on to Amazon and buy one, £40. When tablet arrives, I see the max is 1TB, cool, so on to Amazon, quick search, late at night, buy one. It's Amazon after all.

What should i do with 512GB one. Well, I'd tested it and it seemed okay, so packaging had been recycled.

Start copying 140GB of music files onto 1TB card. Takes multiple hours, but then eventually done and whaaa, where are the music files? Folders there, just a few mp3s.

Try again a few at a time, well sds are slow I guess, so don't overload it. Try again, same result. You'd think by now I'd have started twigging, but no. Think it must be me, try again. I mean we are talking 36 hours down the line now. Anyway I give up thinking I must have a dud. Amazon, please refund, I'm returning it. No problemo.

Ahh well I've got the 512GB one, lucky me. And then 24 later...

Start searching. I'm really surprised how few sites there are that mention the problem. Is it me or is searching now so bad you can't find anything?

Then I find this site and bingo, I've twigged. Back to Amazon, do a search and yes, "real" sd cards of this capacity cost a fortune. I'd just sort of assumed that well tech progresses so fast and the Chinese are selling stuff pretty cheap...but no a real good scam. Anyway sent the 512GB back without packaging and told Amazon they need to sort this. If they listen. So now asking questions, like: Why are you selling FAKE sd cards? and putting reviews on Amazon, because you just can't talk to those people (Amazon) directly...

So lucky escape for me that I got a refund on both, but caveat emptor, buyer beware.

Let's hope the expensive brand name one is okay (and no not 1TB, have you seen those prices!)

 

[dsperber]

Sorry to hear about your experience.

There's a free "gold standard" fake SD card detection utility named H2TESTW, which is described on this web site and available for download there.

I believe the site is originally in German (although the English version is what I pointed to), but your browser may have an issue with translation when you go to do the download. So here is the direct link to download that H2TESTW-1.4.zip file.

 

[gfmoore]

Thanks

 

[file3456]

This has been a popular scam for years. And I have seen my fair share of this crap on eBay. First and foremost, common sense prevails in that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Wiser words have never been spoken. And it doesn't matter if it's eBay, Amazon or some other online retailer.

On the subject of Amazon. I rarely if ever buy from that company. If I do it's mostly books or to donate toys to children's hospitals via their gift registry. Speaking of which, if you use smile.amazon.com instead of the regular Amazon link, the items listed there have some of their profit go to the charity of your choice. Just food for thought.

With the subject of Amazon. It seems many people fall victim to Crime, I mean Prime. While that "perk" may be great in terms of their products like FireTV and crap as well as if you buy a lot of crap on Amazon, it's a rip off if you ask me, and here's why. I mostly shop on eBay. Damn near everything on eBay whether it's used or new with a buy it now is the same price as what Amazon offers or in fact cheaper and a lot of times the shipping is free on eBay with no Crime, I mean Prime required. The other great thing about eBay is that I can buy a used product that I simply don't want to buy new on Amazon. Amazon may have used products, but in this department this is where eBay shines. For instance. I'm a police scanner and radio communications enthusiast. There's no way I'm buying a brand new 8 year old scanner for full price on Amazon. I can simply go to eBay and find one that's used for half the cost, plus get free shipping. Now the seller may not have the fastest shipping in the world, but at least I get the damn thing. I'm not in a massive hurry. If you are, then by all means spend a fortune on Amazon for their logistics. Another thing with eBay is that they seem to protect the buyer more so then the seller. Plus, PayPal now gives you a virtual 6 month warranty which is really ridiculous. I've had to open a few eBay cases in all the years I've been on eBay, and I always get my money back. Now if your a seller you take a massive risk with charge backs, dead beat buyers, buyers that open a case for frivolous crap, etc But thank God the sellers on eBay are willing to still sell.

The one bad thing about eBay is their return mechanism for lack of a better term. While eBay has you covered on the things you buy, if you have an issue and want to return it it's kinda a process. First you have to open a case, then you have to print the shipping label and pack the crap back up and affix the shipping label bought and paid for buy the seller. Then you have to ship it. Once the seller receives it you then have to wait on the seller to issue a refund. If not, escalate the case. eBay will cover you. I had a seller issue me a damn echeck so that took even longer. Once you get the money back it can take up to 3 days at least before your primary buying method is credited. So you're waiting for the item to arrive to the seller, the seller issuing the refund, and then the 3 days to probably go through the Fed clearing house or what ever BS excuse it is before you see your money. They sure can take my money in a hurry, can't give it back just as fast. Yet here we are in the 21st century with modern technology.

Now with Amazon it's a far better and simpler process and you get your money back a lot faster. I just print a QR-like code off from the return page at Amazon, go to the UPS store or another Amazon authorized return store what ever it's called, hand them the item, they scan the QR code and once the item is in the shipping process I get an immediate refund.

Now I rarely if ever have to make a return. Mostly because I'm not dumb and do my fair share of thorough research on the item I would like to purchase. I also do a lot of price comparison shopping. Then I hit up fakespot.com and see if the Amazon reviews are of good quality or not. This isn't a rating on the product its self, but rather the reviews. Companies do pay people to spin off fake reviews and YouTube videos. I think you can lump that crap into the AstroTurf paradigm. i.e there's no grass roots (I'm looking at you pharmaceuticals).

So as an example, I was looking for a decent and reliable USB powered hub that outputted so many amps, was from a known, reliable company, and the unit was UL listed (least your house go up like a blunt, i.e fire.). I checked product reviews on the item I was interested in, checked fakespot and did some comparison shopping. Turns out Amazon was the source I had to buy from based on my personal criteria.

The great thing about eBay is that I can buy odds and ends electrical stuff. Like I needed 10 certain types of stereo cables that were at least 5' long. On Amazon they were at lest $5 a piece. On eBay I found them for about $2 a piece. Now I thought the price was so cheap because the internals were cheap fabric-like wiring that is hell to solder. To my surprise when I took them apart for my project they were pure copper. Can't beat that for 2 bucks a piece. LOL I made sure to save that seller for possible future purchases.

The other thing here with eBay is that I collect things. Things you may not find on Amazon but on eBay. In one case I collect kiddie aviation airline wings. I have amassed at least 60 of these things and some of them are not only rare but go for good money. I even have a fat book that was published many years ago on all the kiddie wings that were ever made. Right now most of them sit in a glass picture on my wall.


To end this long winded rant.. LOL I'll paraphrase what PT Barnum was often misquoted on. "There's a sucker born every minute."

 

[gfmoore]

Sucking ...

Good rant!

 

[Snick]

gfmoore

Amazon has a liberal return policy, especially for items purported to be what they are not!

Have you contacted Amazon with your grievance?

 

[gfmoore]

Yes, it's all good thanks.

 

[file3456]

Good rant!

Boy, looking back on the tl;dr I posted I must have been in the mood to write a book. LOL