[SOLVED] Compact Flash Card Reader Problem

WaxhawRon · 07-23-2008, 10:59 AM

I hope that this is the right forum for this problem. If not, please advise which forum I should be in.

I have a Dell E520 computer that runs XP Professional. The compact flash card reader (drive E) only works one time per startup--i.e. it works when I first boot up the PC, but then will not work a second time.

I have contacted Dell Support. They had me take the computer apart to check to see if the wire connecting the card reader was loose. It was not. So they have determined that I need to do a complete PC Restore to fix this problem. Seems like kind of a drastic solution, but it seems to be the solve-all solution each time I call Dell Support with a problem. I have had a PC since the 386 days, and never had to do a PC Restore until 2 months ago on this same Dell computer, and even then it did not fix the problem. A neighbor stopped by and fixed the problem in about 5 minutes. So, you can see why I am reluctant to accept Dell's recommendation to do the PC Restore.

Do you have any idea why I am having this problem with the card reader? it is not the card, it happens with any compact flash card that I use.

Penn05 · 09-22-2008, 07:15 PM

What was the solution?

WaxhawRon · 09-23-2008, 08:33 AM

I worked my way up the Dell Support hierarchy until I finally got to someone in Austin. He spent about 5 minutes using Dell Connect and found that the software to run the card reader was the wrong software. So he downloaded the correct software into my computer and it has worked perfectly since.

The moral is: the first several levels of Dell support are incompetent. When they can't find the solution in one of their manuals, they throw up their hands in defeat and tell you to do a PC Restore which is generally not necessary. Don't accept that answer and keep fighting to escalate the problem until you reach their Executive Support Team at the Consumer Resolution Center. But be prepared to argue and argue with the lower minions and their supervisors until you get your problem escalated to the top.

Penn05 · 09-23-2008, 06:53 PM

Thanks much for the quick reply. It appears I have the same problem. May the force be with me to conquer the Dell tech support maze. By the way, I just purchased a new laptop, and it's not a Dell. I will never, ever, ever (ever) purchase another Dell product for as long as I live (and if I'm reincarnated, I won't buy one then either). Needless to say, it's not the first problem I've had with this Dell, and probably not the last.

07-23-2008, 10:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
WaxhawRon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 116 OS: XP Pro	[SOLVED] Compact Flash Card Reader Problem I hope that this is the right forum for this problem. If not, please advise which forum I should be in. I have a Dell E520 computer that runs XP Professional. The compact flash card reader (drive E) only works one time per startup--i.e. it works when I first boot up the PC, but then will not work a second time. I have contacted Dell Support. They had me take the computer apart to check to see if the wire connecting the card reader was loose. It was not. So they have determined that I need to do a complete PC Restore to fix this problem. Seems like kind of a drastic solution, but it seems to be the solve-all solution each time I call Dell Support with a problem. I have had a PC since the 386 days, and never had to do a PC Restore until 2 months ago on this same Dell computer, and even then it did not fix the problem. A neighbor stopped by and fixed the problem in about 5 minutes. So, you can see why I am reluctant to accept Dell's recommendation to do the PC Restore. Do you have any idea why I am having this problem with the card reader? it is not the card, it happens with any compact flash card that I use.

09-22-2008, 07:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
Penn05 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2 OS: XP	Re: [SOLVED] Compact Flash Card Reader Problem What was the solution?

09-23-2008, 08:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
WaxhawRon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 116 OS: XP Pro	Re: [SOLVED] Compact Flash Card Reader Problem I worked my way up the Dell Support hierarchy until I finally got to someone in Austin. He spent about 5 minutes using Dell Connect and found that the software to run the card reader was the wrong software. So he downloaded the correct software into my computer and it has worked perfectly since. The moral is: the first several levels of Dell support are incompetent. When they can't find the solution in one of their manuals, they throw up their hands in defeat and tell you to do a PC Restore which is generally not necessary. Don't accept that answer and keep fighting to escalate the problem until you reach their Executive Support Team at the Consumer Resolution Center. But be prepared to argue and argue with the lower minions and their supervisors until you get your problem escalated to the top.

09-23-2008, 06:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
Penn05 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2 OS: XP	Re: [SOLVED] Compact Flash Card Reader Problem Thanks much for the quick reply. It appears I have the same problem. May the force be with me to conquer the Dell tech support maze. By the way, I just purchased a new laptop, and it's not a Dell. I will never, ever, ever (ever) purchase another Dell product for as long as I live (and if I'm reincarnated, I won't buy one then either). Needless to say, it's not the first problem I've had with this Dell, and probably not the last.