SDS100/SDS200: SDS200 µSD Card Issue or Sentinel Issue or Something Else?!

[kudzu_kid]

Well this is weird from the usual "corruption" / µSD card issue I've seen here...

And before we say "just replace the microSD card" - I'm not convinced that's the problem. This may take a minute to explain.

Background: I simply wanted to make an edit (remove a couple of channels). I fired up Sentinel with the usual cable. So far, so good. I thought I'd do a download from the scanner before I did any edits. This is where it gets interesting.
No matter what, I never "see" an SD card listed. When I shut off the scanner it says it's writing to the SD card & please wait (normal). No errors. Scanner shuts off after a few secs. When I turn it on, everything seems fine, says it's reading ("Loading"). Again, no errors. Sooo, apparently, the card is good right? Maybe... maybe not? Ok, so I've tried 3 different cards with former downloads on them. They seem to read fine. They write fine. I even reset user data & settings, No joy.

I've tried different cables, no difference in behavior.
Sooo, the unit is working BUT the card is never visible, so things are working, but apparently can't be changed via Sentinel.

The questions:

So, does this really sound like a µSD card problem? My gut tells me it's more likely a Sentinel issue of some sort. The cable is good, I presume, because it kicks the scanner out of scanning and asks if I want a serial connection, etc. But I could be wrong. Sentinel seems to otherwise be working fine.

Anyone else ever have this issue? Any guesses / tips on the solution or best guesses?

I pray it's not the SDS200 itself.

Thanks tons!

 

[kudzu_kid]

Maybe try running System File Checker to check and repair the Windows OS. I believe the command is sfc /scannow from a command prompt.

Another good idea - however: No errors reported, and no other USB errors of any kind. I use my USB ports frequently - USB drives (mass storage), flash drives, audio equipment, photographic equipment, etc. Nothing else has any problems. But a good idea.

 

[hunterca]

Well this is weird from the usual "corruption" / µSD card issue I've seen here...

And before we say "just replace the microSD card" - I'm not convinced that's the problem. This may take a minute to explain.

Background: I simply wanted to make an edit (remove a couple of channels). I fired up Sentinel with the usual cable. So far, so good. I thought I'd do a download from the scanner before I did any edits. This is where it gets interesting.
No matter what, I never "see" an SD card listed. When I shut off the scanner it says it's writing to the SD card & please wait (normal). No errors. Scanner shuts off after a few secs. When I turn it on, everything seems fine, says it's reading ("Loading"). Again, no errors. Sooo, apparently, the card is good right? Maybe... maybe not? Ok, so I've tried 3 different cards with former downloads on them. They seem to read fine. They write fine. I even reset user data & settings, No joy.

I've tried different cables, no difference in behavior.
Sooo, the unit is working BUT the card is never visible, so things are working, but apparently can't be changed via Sentinel.

The questions:

So, does this really sound like a µSD card problem? My gut tells me it's more likely a Sentinel issue of some sort. The cable is good, I presume, because it kicks the scanner out of scanning and asks if I want a serial connection, etc. But I could be wrong. Sentinel seems to otherwise be working fine.

Anyone else ever have this issue? Any guesses / tips on the solution or best guesses?

I pray it's not the SDS200 itself.

Thanks tons!

So this worked on another computer. Are you using the same USB port all the time? If so, try another USB port for the troubled computer. IMO. You could also try reinstalling Sentinel or USB drivers again.

 

[kudzu_kid]

My external reader and SDS200 shows 'USB Drive' on Windows 11 Pro Insider Preview

Reserving comments on these posts - as I don't yet run ProScan and I need someone to explain the relevance of the comments to me. NO offense to anyone commenting. I only use Sentinel at the moment. I may try ProScan later* for testing purposes to see if I can get around the issue and actually evaluate it.

* = I'm leaving town this weekend and won't be back for a few days. I'll resume trouble-shooting (which may include ProScan) when I return. Tonight I have to pack and get ready to leave in the a.m.! I'll be able to read comments while I'm gone - bringing laptop - but I'm probably not bringing the scanner.

 

[dave3825]

Sds200 can connect to proscan via usb cable, lan wired and lan WiFi.

 

[ProScan]

Reserving comments on these posts - as I don't yet run ProScan and I need someone to explain the relevance of the comments to me. NO offense to anyone commenting. I only use Sentinel at the moment.

Those are Windows File Explorer screenshots I was referring to that may help to find out why Sentinel is not seeing the SD card.
We'll test with Sentinel after we get the lower layer potential problem resolved.

 

[kudzu_kid]

The fact that the Recycle Bin and System Volume Information files are on your SD card would indicate that for some reason your laptop Windows installation is now classifying the card as a "local disk" rather than a removable disk. Something has changed or become corrupt in your laptop's OS. Windows will not write those files to a drive that it recognizes as a removeable disk.... and Sentinel is purposely designed to only recognize what Windows classifies as “removable“ disks. That's to prevent someone from accidentally using "clear user data" on their internal hard drive.

The fact that the Recycle Bin and System Volume Information files are on your SD card would indicate that for some reason your laptop Windows installation is now classifying the card as a "local disk" rather than a removable disk. Something has changed or become corrupt in your laptop's OS. Windows will not write those files to a drive that it recognizes as a removeable disk.... and Sentinel is purposely designed to only recognize what Windows classifies as “removable“ disks. That's to prevent someone from accidentally using "clear user data" on their internal hard drive.

To see if this has indeed happened to your laptop, connect either your card reader, or your SDS200 in mass storage mode to your laptop with the SD card in it. Next, in the Windows file explorer, right click on the SD card and select "properties". Your SD card should show as a "removeable disk". (This is with Windows 64 bit 11 Home).

View attachment 170987

If your SD card shows as a "Local Disk" (or anything other than a removeable disk)...


View attachment 170988

then the Windows OS on your laptop has become corrupted and is classifying your SD card as an internal drive or an external, large volume USB hard drive and Sentinel will not recognize those types of drives. To verify that, connect either the card reader or SDS200 in mass storage mode with the card in it to your desktop, repeat the above steps, and see if your desktop now classifies the SD card as a removeable disk.

.

To see if this has indeed happened to your laptop, connect either your card reader, or your SDS200 in mass storage mode to your laptop with the SD card in it. Next, in the Windows file explorer, right click on the SD card and select "properties". Your SD card should show as a "removeable disk". (This is with Windows 64 bit 11 Home).

View attachment 170987

If your SD card shows as a "Local Disk" (or anything other than a removeable disk)...


View attachment 170988

then the Windows OS on your laptop has become corrupted and is classifying your SD card as an internal drive or an external, large volume USB hard drive and Sentinel will not recognize those types of drives. To verify that, connect either the card reader or SDS200 in mass storage mode with the card in it to your desktop, repeat the above steps, and see if your desktop now classifies the SD card as a removeable disk.

.

By Jove, I think you nailed it!

Indeed - it is showing up as "Local" ! (See below)



So, I greatly appreciate your most elucidating comment. However (and you knew that was coming, right?) you said (last sentence of your comment): "

To verify that, connect either the card reader or SDS200 in mass storage mode with the card in it to your desktop, repeat the above steps, and see if your desktop now classifies the SD card as a removeable disk.

I'm being especially dense this evening (getting ready for a trip out of town for a few days to attend a relative's funeral, etc). - but - that last sentence initially didn't make any sense. It sounded like a "rinse & repeat" - but what changed? NEVERRRRMIIIND... I re-read that a few times and finally caught what you meant, I think - I think you're saying to check the card on the DESKTOP PC instead of the usual LAPTOP - and see if that shows it as a REMOVABLE (probably will). Sooo, what that will prove is - what? - that my LAPTOP OS is corrupted in some capacity? I'm not arguing, but I am curious. Other flash drives, SD cards, etc; all seem to work (R/W ok). Regardless, I guess a Windows repair is in order? Thanks so much! I have the skillset, but never thought to NOTICE the difference - it was driving me nutso! THANKS SO MUCH! You're my hero on this one!

 

[kudzu_kid]

Sds200 can connect to proscan via usb cable, lan wired and lan WiFi.

Thanks for the info... I DO appreciate it.

 

[ProScan]

Regardless, I guess a Windows repair is in order?

I don't know what the repair will do if it will fix it or make things worse. I personally would google 'why is removable drive showing as local'.

 

[fxdscon]

I think you're saying to check the card on the DESKTOP PC instead of the usual LAPTOP - and see if that shows it as a REMOVABLE (probably will). Sooo, what that will prove is - what? - that my LAPTOP OS is corrupted in some capacity? I'm not arguing, but I am curious.

Yes, check the properties of the SD card drive when connected to the desktop just as you did on the laptop and see if the desktop PC will show it as a removeable drive (or at least not a "local disk"). It should, since Sentinel will recognize it on your desktop... and Sentinel will not recognize or work with an SD card identified by Windows as a "local disk".

I've only heard of that issue one other time..... there was a very lengthy thread about that issue on the (now defunct) homepatrol.com forum website site way back when the Home Patrol 1 was first released some 14 years ago. UPMan (and the Uniden engineers he consulted with) eventually determined that the issue was indeed caused by Windows seeing the OP's SD card as a "local disk", which Sentinel will not recognize. I don't believe that a specific fix ( as far as a simple registry entry or Windows setting that had been changed ) was ever identified as the culprit. As I recall (it was a long time ago), the OP of that thread tried a Windows repair, but eventually did a complete, clean re-install of Windows on the PC he was using, and the issue was corrected.

As Bob from ProScan recommends in his post above, google for that issue to see if any simple cause/remedy is now known.

 

[kudzu_kid]

Hi Everyone,
Sorry for the silence here for several days - I was at an event (funeral) out of town for a relative.

Just to dot the "i" and cross the "t" here, and bring closure to the tale just in case there's ever a "me too" looking at this thread, I wanted to provide the finale here.

So nothing I knew of - Device Mangler (err, "Device Manager") or any control panel item, drive mapping, or card re-formatting, cable swapping, etc; was able to fix the problem. After many years in a career IT, I realized this was a case where I realized I was at a point where it didn't pay to play "Data Detective" anymore. Generally, I don't like "shotgun" fixes, but in this case, I think there was diminishing return on my time investment. So, I did a clean Windows install on the affected laptop. Guess what? Yup, all is well once again. No idea WHY USB drives and SD cards were showing up as "Local Disks" but a fresh Windows install cured the problem.

Stay well, and thank you for all the hints & tips along the way. Have a great weekend!

 

[2ahuman1791]

Well this is weird from the usual "corruption" / µSD card issue I've seen here...

And before we say "just replace the microSD card" - I'm not convinced that's the problem. This may take a minute to explain.

Background: I simply wanted to make an edit (remove a couple of channels). I fired up Sentinel with the usual cable. So far, so good. I thought I'd do a download from the scanner before I did any edits. This is where it gets interesting.
No matter what, I never "see" an SD card listed. When I shut off the scanner it says it's writing to the SD card & please wait (normal). No errors. Scanner shuts off after a few secs. When I turn it on, everything seems fine, says it's reading ("Loading"). Again, no errors. Sooo, apparently, the card is good right? Maybe... maybe not? Ok, so I've tried 3 different cards with former downloads on them. They seem to read fine. They write fine. I even reset user data & settings, No joy.

I've tried different cables, no difference in behavior.
Sooo, the unit is working BUT the card is never visible, so things are working, but apparently can't be changed via Sentinel.

The questions:

So, does this really sound like a µSD card problem? My gut tells me it's more likely a Sentinel issue of some sort. The cable is good, I presume, because it kicks the scanner out of scanning and asks if I want a serial connection, etc. But I could be wrong. Sentinel seems to otherwise be working fine.

Anyone else ever have this issue? Any guesses / tips on the solution or best guesses?

I pray it's not the SDS200 itself.

Thanks tons!

This JUST happened to me and my SDS100 which is now a brick until I figure out a solution. I dont believe its the SD card. I too added some new favs and then edited them, did a database update, write to scanner, accidentally stopped the write procedure by clicking my mouse right on the stop tab and confirm tab (i was cleaning my mouse) and now SD card error and formatting it doesn't work. Sentinel wont recognize scanner and scanner just gives a error instructing me to clear user data which i cannot do. Period.
see my post SDS100/SDS200: - Corrupt Data

 

[fxdscon]

and now SD card error and formatting it doesn't work. Sentinel wont recognize scanner and scanner just gives a error instructing me to clear user data which i cannot do. Period.

Download this utility (recommended by Uniden) then use it to format the card.... use the "overwrite format" option.

SD Memory Card Formatter for Windows/Mac | SD Association​

A newly formatted card will not be recognized by the scanner until the "clear user data" function is completed. To have Sentinel recognize the formatted card, click the "show all drives" box when the clear user data function window first opens. If you're doing this while the card is still in the scanner, be certain to put the scanner into "mass storage mode" first.

 

[kudzu_kid]

Looking back at this, I wanted to be sure I gave credit where it's due. @fxdscon nailed it when he said:

Yes, check the properties of the SD card drive when connected to the desktop just as you did on the laptop and see if the desktop PC will show it as a removeable drive (or at least not a "local disk"). It should, since Sentinel will recognize it on your desktop... and Sentinel will not recognize or work with an SD card identified by Windows as a "local disk".

I've had many (MANY - 30+ years working in IT, Desktop Support, etc.), and probably could've spent some time isolating and fixing this particular issue, but in consideration of other minor & sublime issues I was having with a few random other things in USB land, I determined it was easiest and quickest just to reimage the laptop! Viola! Problem solved. Now recognized the radio as a "removable drive".

A great debt of gratitude is owed to @fxdscon for highlighting & identifying the potential solution! Everything's been fine ever since.​

 

[n1chu]

Do you know how many computers (laptops) are replaced instead of updating or reimaging them each year? It’s an amazing number! Most people need them to work right out of the box and have no idea about updating or adding drivers, etc. they just buy the newest as a replacement and (the smarter ones) dedicate their old ones to one specific task… but I fear most just throw the old ines out.

When I first got started Tandy “Trash 80’s” and commodore 64’s were the hot tickets. I was determined to not only become proficient in their use but to understand the why and how of computers. And as many before me had realized, the technology was outpacing my ability to keep up, to a point where the frustration level was beginning to affect my health and family life. Late nights, working through dinners were taking their toll on me. Luckily, I realized I was not cut out to become a computer wiz and backed off. Being proficient in their operation was more than enough for me! Granted, my learning a basic understanding of how they do what they do benefited me and to this day I can say I probably have a better understanding than most, especially that guy who just goes out and buys a new machine each year.

And while I did not contribute to your thread, I appreciate your getting back to the group and giving credit to those who did. My appreciation of your giving credit in your latest post caused me to submit this post. There’s been many times myself and others answered queries and we never hear back. We assume the problem was corrected but never know for sure, not even a “That fixed it. Thanks” response!