Best USB SmartMedia reader?

[PS-Tips]

Hi -

I'm looking for recommendations on the best brand of SmartMedia card reader (SmartMedia type: SSFDC, ISO 9001 Certified, 3.3V). I've heard a lot of people have problems with many brands of readers, and want to be sure I get a good one that won't give me trouble.

My system includes:
Athlon XP 1800+, Asus A7V266-E with VIA KT266A chipset, 512MB DDR2100, Windows 2000

Thanks!

-- David

[BipolarBill]

Anything USB will be trouble on a VIA chipset. Sandisk and Dazzle lead the list of offenders because they sell more than anyone else! If you can find a serial or parallel reader, I recommend it:

http://www.sandisk.com/consumer/im.asp

That one is offered with a parallel interface.

[PS-Tips]

Oy that's not good. I regret more and more every day going with AMD... noise, heat, via chips.... not worth the measily $ savings hehe

So Dazzle is bad? Arg. One I was considering was the Dazzle Zio DM-8700... none of my stores carry it though and I was going to order it today on CruxWorks and just try it if I didn't get good feedback. It's a newer Via chip - it's still affected? I thought they had dealt with the problems with Via and the problems were only with older chips... guess I could be wrong.

Does this apply to all USB with Via chipsets, or only SmartMedia readers? I have 2 current USB devices... a Logitech mouseman wheel, and a Midiman Midisport 2x2 interface... they both work fine.

Anyhow... any advice? The site you mentioned doesn't seem to have non-usb readers... but maybe I'm just missing them.

I gotta figure this out, it's hurting my productivity hehe.... I've been trying on and off to find the perfect reader for over a month.

Thanks!

-- David

[BipolarBill]

Only when you start adding USB cameras and modems do VIA's USB issues rear their ugly heads. Windows XP handles those issues best because the WinXP VIA drivers are very good.

I would suggest getting the reader that you're interested in from a place with good service. Uninstall all USB devices from your system and then install the reader first. Now add your older USB devices.

It may just work.

[Mutant_Donkey]

don't the latest USB filter drivers fix these probs?

[BipolarBill]

Not always. As a matter of fact, the filter driver is a last resort and only works about 33% of the time.

[PS-Tips]

Well I ended up getting a SanDisk ImageMate SDDR-55 at my local computer store... decided that would be better than ordering the Dazzle Zio and having to deal with shipping fiascos if anything was wrong with it... saved about $10 too hehe

So far, works like a charm. Successfully installed (even left my mouse installed - though I removed the USB midi controller/drivers and put it back after, since now with 3 USB devices I needed to add in my motherboard's additional 2 USB port adapter). Copied files to/from it, made directories, etc... no problems.

Are the problems you were speaking of things that happen during installation, or problems later on during regular use? Just wondering what to look out for.

Thanks!

[BipolarBill]

This is the record breaker. ;)

The second controller is giving you the ability to use it wih no trouble. The real test is rebooting with it in place.