Expert: Abe - 12/29/2008

Question
QUESTION: I received a Samsung L200 digital camera for Christmas. The instruction book isn't worth a flip. It says to use the supplied usb cable to hook the camera up to the pc to download photo's. However, there isn't a USB cable, only a A/v cable. So, I tried just taking the memory card out and putting into my Hp Photosmart C4180 printer, but it says memory card error. I am using a 4gb memory card. Do you have any idea why I am getting this error?

ANSWER: HP is known for having proprietary technology. That is to say, a lot of their components don't work well (or at all) with others.

The simplest solution is to put your memory card into a memory card reader (about $10-$20), or into your computer's built-in memory card reader (if it has one) and then download your images from the memory card directly to your computer. Then, feed the pictures uploaded onto your computer to your printer. This should work.

If for some reason the images on the memory card won't load onto your computer, you may need to format your memory card. There is an option in your camera's menu which will allow you to format your memory card. But know that formatting your card deletes all of the images.

Please let me know how this works out.

Good luck!
Abe



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Unfortunately, my pc doesn't have a built in memory card reader. I will check into purchasing a memory card reader at Best Buy. I don't want to format my camera at this point because I don't want to lose my christmas photos.

I noticed when I was trying to get my memory card to work with my printer and I tried using the Help feature on my printer, it said I needed to install the device software. Now with that being said, I have no problems printing anything else on this printer, nor photos that are already on my pc. I am thinking about reinstalling the drivers for my printer because when I bought it, the software cd wasn't compatible with Vista, so I had to go to the site and update it. However, that has been almost two years ago and I have heard that there are some new updates for
Vista on it. If I do that, will I lose the photos that I already have stored on my HP photo software? Also, how can I find out if my Hp photosmart c4180 will accept SDHC devices? After I sent you the first letter, I pulled my memory card package and it said it was only compatible with SDHC devices, so I am wondering now if that is why I am getting the memory card error. Thank you for your quick response! ;)

Answer
Hi Kimberly,

That extra bit of information may be the key we need to figure this out. I don't know how old your HP printer is, but if it is more than a couple of years old, it may not work with SDHC. You'll need to go to HP's website and find your printer model to be sure. I have a feeling your printer may not accept SDHC and this is the cause for the error. As for updating your drivers, this will have no effect on the images on your memory card. They will remain safely intact.

If you are using an SDHC card, buy a reader that reads SDHC cards and nothing (or little) else. This will save you $$. If you buy one of the "13 in 1" type memory card readers that read virtually any type of memory card, you'll pay more.

Let's assume you update your drivers (for good measure) and still can't upload directly to your printer due to the SDHC incompatibility issue (this is my best guess as of right now). Go ahead and upload your images to your computer with your new memory card reader and then send them to your printer. I think this will work.

If not, let me know and we'll keep working on it.

Good luck!
Abe