Sony VGP-MCA20 Expresscard SD Reader

I got one of the above with my new Sony SZ notebook, but it does not work with my 4Gb SD cards (non-SDHC). AFAIK it doesn't work with SDHC cards either.

I sent a query to Sony a week ago but have not had a response.

There may be a solution to this problem in the form of an updated driver or firmware upgrade for the VGP-MCA20.

Has anyone managed to solve this ?

 

There have been reports about issues with compatibility for large capacity flash memory. It could just be incompatible with your reader. I think the limit was 2 GB or so on a number of readers out there. It may be listed on the specs for your reader.

 

The specs for the VGP-MCA20 say that it is not compatible with the SDHC cards. It doesn't mention a 2Gb limit for ordinary SD cards, but AFAIK the 4Gb cards are not within the standard SD specification anyway.

Usually a reader driver/firmware upgrade can resolve something like that, I was just hoping that someone had a solution for the VGP-MCA20.

I have seen a posted solution for an onboard SD reader in a Sony notebook, this involved loading a Texas Instruments driver instead of a Sony driver. I will investigate this further.

 

Good luck with that. I believe what I was mentioning might have been a hardware limitation though. Please let us know what you find.

 

AFAIK the differences between reading 2Gb SD, 4Gb SD, and SDHC is all software related. But I may be wrong, and even if I am right it may not be possible to get the right software.

Most of my external SD readers that can read 2Gb SD cards, can also read 4Gb SD cards. That also applies to my Panasonic SD2CF adapter, which happily reads my Ridata 150X 4Gb SD cards.

 

I wish I could remember where I saw that information about the limitations. It was mainly talking about built-in readers, so that probably explains why your external readers aren't having any problems with the 4 GB SDs. If I dig it up I'll post it here for you, but it was a while back.

Hopefully you're right and it is merely a driver limitation.

 

I have a problem with a 1GB card - and even with the 16MB card that came with the camera - so it is unlikely that the card size/capacity is causing the problems.

My VAIO was happily reading SD cards via the VGP-MCA20 adapter - until 3 days ago. The adapter was kept inside the slot, so it has not suffered any mechanical damage. One fine morning the PC just couldn't open the 'removable drive' that usually shows in that place when I insert a card.

The PC still reads those cards directly from the camera via a USB cable; they are also perfectly read using a cheap, 'no-brand' USB card reader plugged in a USB port. Apparently the cards are intact and their formatting is OK.

I have also uninstalled and re-installed the adapter using the original drivers supplied by Sony with the system. The Windows' Device Manager shows the device as 'working normally'.

All this seems to isolate the problem to the hardware device - and this adapter doesn't look like a very 'active' device: at best it contains some passive elements (resistors, capacitors) or may be even just contacts and connecting wires/printed paths.

If it is a contact / connection problem in the piece of hardware, it shouldn't cost a lot (and within warrantee period as in my case should be supplied free of charge?).

If it is not as I suppose - can anyone suggest any reason why/how it could be a software problem and the likelihood it may be solved by updating drivers or firmware?

 

I'm having the same problem with my VAIO SZ-330PB. Could someone help us?

 

Mine would not read any MiniSD cards (with adaptor) unless I physically pushed it in and held it there.

I also have a Transcend 150x 4Gb SD card that does work perfectly with the MCA20.

I am using XP Pro though in the SZ38GP

 

This card is really getting to me. I think i'm going to post it back with a 'no thanks' notice to sony and go and buy a new one. I just managed to make one of my cards work by holding it in the slot as it says above, but not for long enough to get past the pop up to see whats actually on the card! AAARRRGGHH!


SZ4VWN/X with VGP-MCA20.

 

Obviously it is malfunctioned!

 

i am having problems with my reader as well, ive looked everywhere for drivers and can't seem to find anything. Anyone have ideas?

 

have you guys checked the manual?
under the "USING OTHER MEMORY CARDS" (for me it was page 55 of the PDF)
---------------------------
USING OTHER MEMORY CARDS

Your computer is delivered with the memory card adapter for the ExpressCard slot to support the following memory cards besides the ExpressCard module:

- Standard-sized Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO
- Secure Digital (SD)
- MultiMediaCard (MMC)
- xD-Picture Card

The MagicGate feature of the Memory Stick media and the Memory Stick PRO is not supported.

The copyright protection and high-speed data transfer features of the SD memory card are not supported.

SDHC memory cards are not supported.

As for the Memory Stick PRO media, only Sony branded media is recommended to use with the adapter.

Your computer has been tested and found compatible only with major memory card media available as of May 2006. However, not all memory card media that meet the same conditions as the compatible media are guaranteed of compability.
--------------------------------

So maybe that might be why? If not, then maybe it might be a defective cardreader?


Also, on SD's wiki site:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secure_Digital_card
Secure Digital (SD) is a flash (non-volatile) memory card format developed by Matsushita, SanDisk and Toshiba for use in portable devices, including digital cameras, handheld computers, PDAs and GPS units. As of 2006, SD card capacities include 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, and 512 MB, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 GB (4-32 GB: SDHC)[1].

The format has proven to be very popular. However, compatibility issues between older devices and the newer 2GB and larger cards and the SDHC format[2] have caused considerable confusion for consumers.

 

this is indeed a frustrating problem
i have tried two SD cards (not SDHC) each of which works intermittently in the SD card reader
one card 150x 1GB GXT card that works very well to move files between my SZ and my desktop (hardly the desired use but still proves the card is functional)
however, when i save even just one picture from my panasonic camera then the card reader has problems -- usually it can only read the FAT from the card when physically pressed into the reader, other times clicking works fine
however, it cannot ever read, open or copy to/from the card at this time
take the card out, put it in my desktop-- reads fine, copy/move/delete the pics
after pics deleted by desktop camera can now read the card no problem as can the SZ!
the other card is a 1GB 50x kingston card - works great in my treo
but same problems of unreadibility in the express card reader

given that the cards can be read when files are moved to/from them with just the desktop computer or the SZ, but not ones from the camera or the treo, this must be a software/bios issue, no?

any suggestions?

 

found a solution - at least for my VGN-SZ450N
a recent sony software update seems to do the trick
(at least i can read both of those cards no problem now)

SOAVUD-01451707-US.EXE version 3.0.02.05090 from 5/31/2007

hope this helps some of you others out !

 

I am using a Transcend 150x 2Gb card, but the MCA20 will not read it unless I hold the card in the slot past the detente. Once the card is released, the device cannot read it, as others have posted. The problem is mechanical, not a driver issue. I'm debating whether to purchase another card reader to try.

 

After much consternation, reading/searching the forums for an answer for my intermittently working memorycard adapter (the MS only worked), calling useless Vaio support( I was told sony only supports cards upto 512MB, given a useless adapter registry update for VGP-MCA10, for a VGP-MCA20), and deleting/reinstalling drivers, I finally ordered a new express card adapter off of ebay. I'm happy to say that my SD cards work (32MB AND 2GB Ultra II) without having to fuss with drivers or physically manipulating the adapter or card. For once, I'm glad that I could solve a problem by throwing more money at it Good luck

Here's the link to the card adapter:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ExpressCard-Exp...=item180141648902&_trksid=p3913.c50.m22.l1101