windows XP and flash memory

[dwtt]

I'm having a problem with XP being able to read and format flash memory cards. I have a IBM Thinkpad laptop with XP that's OEM installed. In the past I was able to plug my digital camera into a USB port and download and upload images. For things without a USB port, I took the SD card out and put it into a card reader that plugs into the laptop's USB port. Then one day after getting all these annoying Windows notices about missing a lot of security updates, I downloaded and installed them with the automatic update thing in XP. Now none of my flash memory cards can be read by the computer, but all my other usb devices like mouse and VOIP phone still work.

Even worse, when XP said the flash memory was unformatted because it couldn't read the card, I decided to reformat the card from my camera just to get it readable by the computer. Big mistake. The format didn't work and XP says it was unsuccessful in formatting the flash memory card. The card now has no FAT on it and my camera says the card is not initialized when I stick it back into the camera.

Anyone know how I can fix XP so my flash memory cards can be formatted and working again, short of a XP reinstall? Anyone else had this happen to them?
thanks.

[resident-shooter]

Try to reinstall the driver for card reader and maybe USB ports. Also try another computer?

[todd2968]

2 things to try
1. try a different usb port for the card reader and do not go through a multi plug/splitter.
2. Try turning the computer off/on with card reader plugged in.

Good luck

[dwtt]

Thanks for the suggestions, but I'm close to just saving all my personal files and reformatting the disk and doing a fresh install. I tried all the suggestions and nothing works. I reinstalled the USB drivers and that didn't fix the problem. I think it was one of those stupid Microlimp "security updates" that screwed up my computer. I'm not doing that again.