How to Use a SanDisk Memory Card Reader
By Victoria Bailey
You're back from vacation and you have a pocketful of your family's dearest memories. If you only have a desktop computer, the odds are that you're not equipped with any way to transfer those images to your photo programs. A SanDisk memory card reader has the ability to grab your images and transfer them to your computer. You'll be able to create albums or email photos anywhere you like, safely and quickly.
Plug the memory card reader into a USB port on your computer. The reader is totally powered by the USB port, and does not need to be plugged into a regular electrical outlet.
Place the reader on the enclosed stand next to your computer, or set it directly on the desk near your computer. The reader works the same whether or not it is attached to the stand.
Notice where on your desktop the reader program has created one or more disk icons. Depending on your version of the reader, you may have one icon for all disks or an individual icon for each type of disk the reader may use.
Insert the memory card into the card reader with the holes going in first and the label facing to the right. The light at the top of the reader should light up. If the light remains dark, remove the card and reinsert it to get a better connection.
Create a folder on your desktop by right-clicking on a blank spot on the desktop. Hover your pointer over the word "New," then click on the word "Folder." You can give this folder any name you like, such as My Pictures or the current date. When you have typed the name of the folder, press "Enter" to create the named folder.
Double-click on the "My Computer" icon. When that opens, double-lick on the disk drive that corresponds with the card reader. You should see a DCIM folder (which stands for Digital Camera Images.) Inside this folder is a camera folder, named for your particular camera type. Click on this folder to open and you will see the listing of all your photos.
Go to the top of the menu bar under "Edit" and click on "Select All." This will highlight all of your pictures. Go back to the "Edit" area and click on "Copy." Minimize this window to get it out of the way.
Double-click on the folder that you created earlier to open it up. Go to the "Edit" area and click on the "Paste" button. This will cause all of your pictures to be transferred into this folder. You will see a list of file names. Double-click on each one to see the picture attached to the name.
Tips
- Close down your image transfer software before removing the USB plug from your computer.
Writer Bio
Working in sunny Florida, Anne Baley has been writing professionally since 2009. Her home and lifestyle articles have been seen on Coldwell Banker and Gardening Know How. Baley has published a series of books teaching how to live a frugal life with style and panache.