Problems with sony memory stick--help!

[tdelaney]

So I have an ancient (by digital standards) Sony Cybershot. 3.3 megapixels :o which still takes great pics. The camera is less than 5 years old. I can't afford to upgrade right now. We usually take our laptop to WDW and download pics each night; can't take the laptop this time b/c hubby will need it at home for work.

SO

I go to Target to buy a new memory stick. Yes, with the adapter. I got a 2 MB stick. The tech told me all would be fine. Brought it home, put it in (fit fine) and it blinks, "memory stick error." Took it back, thinking I had done something wrong and the tech tells me, "Hmmmm. Should work. I'm not supposed to be able to take these back, but since I helped you purchase (pick) it, I'll go ahead and let you return it." That was nice.

So, was it a problem with just that stick?
Is the camera not able to handle something big like 2 MB?
The stick in there is a paltry 128, and while that will take about 120 pics, I definitely need something bigger. The smallest I could buy at Target was a Sony 1MB.

I thought about taking it to the local camera shop, but that sometimes is an expenive endeavor. Just wondering if anyone here had some expertise....

Thanks, guys!

[Kelly Grannell]

kindly put the exact model number of your Sony camera. Older cameras can't accept certain memory size if it's too large.

[Photographer]

Is your Memory Stick this color and says Memory Stick on the bottom right hand corner? These are no longer manufactured. http://www.voiceperfect.com/images/products/large_327-0397.JPG
Sony has since changed their cards several times. Your camera isn't able to understand the newer cards which are called Pro and look like this.
http://img.alibaba.com/photo/11467077/Sony_2_GB_Msx_2gs_2_GB_Memory_Stick_PRO_Media_Msx_ 2gs_2g.jpg
You can check Sony's website for a software upgrade for your camera. If one's available you can then use the Pro series Sticks.

[tdelaney]

Yep, Kelly and Photographer, that's what it was. Too old of a camera. Can't afford a new one and it makes me so mad that the thing is only 4 years old and is already obsolete. It takes perfectly good pics! Why buy a new one?

ANYHOO, went to Nat'l Camera and Video tonight and they told me the same thing you did. The did have 2 of the old 128mb sticks left (and would NOT be getting any more in). I picked up those 2 and 2 more off of ebay tonight now that I know what to look for. My 128 holds just about 100 pics, so that will give me a total of 500. That's not a lot for me, so I'll have to pace myself....lol!

Any suggestions about downloading onto CD or some such thing at WDW? I hate to spend the money for that, but pics are pics! THANKS, GUYS!

[WillCAD]

Tina, since you're stuck and can't take your laptop to WDW this time, your only option will be to burn your pics to CD once in a while to clear your memory sticks.

You have two options for this - on-site or off-site.

If you don't have a car, you'll have to use the WDW service. You can have your pics burned at the camera shops in MK, MGM, and AK, and at Kodak Imageworks in the Imagination pavilion in Epcot. Cost is $12.95 per CD, but limited to 120 pics per CD, even if the CD would hold more. You might have to leave your memory card and come back for it later if they are backed up, so make sure to put your name on all of your cards before your trip.

In MK, MGM, and Epcot, you can also use the self-service kiosks to burn your pics to CD. The price is the same, but I don't think there is a limit on the number of pics per CD - you can just fill up the CD. There is usually not a line for this, but it may take you a while to download all the pics from multiple cards to the CD.

If you have a car, you can go off-site to any of the local Walgreens stores, all of which have 24-hour photo counters and will burn your pics to CD for about $3.99. Walgreens has no limit on the number of pics - they will just fill up the CD for you.

BTW, if your 128mb stick holds about 100 pics, then a 700mb CD will hold about 540 of your pics.

[Kelly Grannell]

but don't fill up the CD to its brim, the outer area of a CD is less stable than the inner part (DH knows about the manufacturing process or optical medias) so on a 700 Mb, use approx 600 Mb only. On a 650 Mb CD, use around 500 Mb only. The same goes with DVD recordable. they are listed for 4.7 Gb but don't use more than 4.0 Gb for the absolute safety.

[tdelaney]

Thanks, you guys! I am SO grateful for all of your help. I went on ebay to get the sticks last night and I can repurchase this several hundred dollar (around 5 when we bought it new) camera for $19!!!! Talk about a RUDE awakening!:o

I don't have a car, unfortunately, so I'll be stuck with the $12.95 deal. I'll certainly be editing shots more carefully each evening!! All-in-all, it won't break the bank, so at least it is a plan.

I'll be careful, Kelly, of how many I put on the CD.


You guys rock!

[WillCAD]

It's generally a good idea NOT to edit your shots in the camera. Deleting shots excessively can cause the memory cards to develop faults and sometimes lose data (which would mean lost pics), while formatting the whole card after you've downloaded the pics from it will make the card last longer and be more reliable.

I know that means wasting space on those CDs at $12.95 each with pics that you will delete once you get home, but it's sort of a safety thing, since you won't have a laptop with you to try to recover lost pics from your memory cards if they develop faults while at WDW.

[tdelaney]

Oh, man! I had NO idea! I've been deleting up the wha-zoo and not knowing there would be a problem! Thanks so much! OK--I think I'm all squared away now....

If I think of anything else, I'll let you know.