SD card shenanigans

[Armatus]

So I'm having a problem with the SD card slot on my Rostock Max v2. I've done research on the forums before posting this thread, and while others have had similar problems, none of their solutions have worked for me. I also don't know if I'm doing things in the right order or not, as there's nothing about using the SD card in the manual, so let me break down what I'm doing step by step.

After turning on the machine, I insert the SD card. Sometimes it reads it and displays "SD card inserted", sometimes it just flashes between the temperature and start up screens endlessly and I have to turn it off. Even when it knows there is a card inserted, when I go to the menu, then "SD card menu", then select file, whatever I loaded onto the card either appears just for a half second or not at all. Sometimes it loads random symbols instead of the file names for a half second before they disappear.

I've tried 3 different SD cards all with the same results. I've also toggled the lock switches on the SD cards to both sides and the center. I really don't know what else to do, any help? Could I have changed something in firmware that I shouldn't have? I'm just loading the files onto the card using my macbook, is there something else I should be doing/a second formatting step?

[Captain Starfish]

Were the three SD cards the same type?

I believe "SD" is about as standard as "CAR" or "CHICKEN". There's several different comms protocols they use, particularly on the super duper high speed high capacity cards, and not all SD controllers downscale sufficiently to suit the RAMBo's old school SD comms protocols and filesystem driver.

Try a crusty, old 4GB or smaller card and see how you get on with that.

[Armatus]

No they where all different brands, is there a specific brand I should be looking for? I haven't been able to find any cards smaller then 8gb but I could order a smaller one if necessary.

[Jimustanguitar]

Make sure that you're using cards that are at least class 4. There have been speed issues in the past.

[Armatus]

I've now tried 5 different cards, all with different speeds and sizes, all the way down to a 2gb card, not a single one works. I did get the 2gb card to read once, but it wouldn't print a file off of it, it just actually displayed in the menu correctly one time, but never again. I'm at a loss, something about my board or firmware must be broken.

[Jimustanguitar]

You might want to inspect your ribbon cables, and maybe even try rerouting them to avoid potential cross-talk with other wires.

[Polygonhell]

The card needs to support the SPI SD Card protocol.
Unfortunately there is no way to know from the packaging.
Lots of cards won't work regardless of size, for example no Kingston card over 2GB's work.
Smaller Kingston cards are supposed to work, I've use 4GB san disk cards with success.

[Armatus]

Bought two different types of 4gb San Disks today, neither work. They will show up on the LCD that they're been inserted, then just reboot the machine over and over again. How can I tell if a card has the spi sd protocol?

[Polygonhell]

Bought two different types of 4gb San Disks today, neither work. They will show up on the LCD that they're been inserted, then just reboot the machine over and over again. How can I tell if a card has the spi sd protocol?

The fact they cause the RAMBO to reboot implies to me that there is something wrong with the SD Card reader wiring.
Usually the only thing an unsupported card does is not let you see the files on it.
Unfortunately about the only way to know if a card supports the SPI interface is to see if it works in something like the RAMBO which only supports it.

[Eaglezsoar]

From all you have done, it sounds as though you have a defective reader.
Contact support by going to seemecnc.com and using the chat button on the bottom right and let them know what has been going on.
They will most likely replace the lcd board. Please let us know when and if you get this working.

[Armatus]

I actually tried hooking in another of the same LCD screen that I have running my second printer to the same effect, and I think it's pretty unlikely that both LCDs would have the same issue, making me think it's a wiring problem. I don't have a second harness to test with, so I'm not sure about that yet. I made a short video to better illustrate the problem and maybe shed some more light on it/expose something I'm doing wrong.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwBXJ4y ... e=youtu.be