D5100 SD Card Problem

Hi Folks, I see a lot of interesting conversations on this site that have helped me. I have a problem that is blowing my mind. On every SD card I use on my d5100 I have the same problem. After I take pictures and download them to my computer, (Gateway) using either the built in reader or external USB reader, when I put the card back in the camera I get the message "Folder catains no Images". When I put the card back in the computer they are there. I only see one folder on the camera that I can access. Any ideas ?? Thanks

Re-format your card in-camera and I'll bet that goes away

Mojo, Not sure if I reposted correctly so if you get this twice ignore it. I did what you suggested and it worked, once.. I reformated in the camera, took some more test shots, downloaded them and ejected the card. Put the card back in the camera and got the same message "folder contain no images.. Got me stumped.. Thanks again for the help...

Is there an updated firmware for your camera? Maybe Nikon fixed that problem with a firmware update.

mikeh said:

Mojo, Not sure if I reposted correctly so if you get this twice ignore it. I did what you suggested and it worked, once.. I reformated in the camera, took some more test shots, downloaded them and ejected the card. Put the card back in the camera and got the same message "folder contain no images.. Got me stumped.. Thanks again for the help...

Click to expand...

Have you verified the photos remain in the SD card and aren't being erased by your computer?

There's a couple of options to check to see where the issue may lie;

Menu > Playback Menu > Playback Folder
If it's set to 'current' then it will only display pictures from the folder it's saving to (see below about this)
If it's set to 'all' it should display all pictures on the card (assuming there are pictures on the camera (which you say there are, as you can see them on your PC))

Menu > Custom Settings > (d3) File Number Sequence
If this is set to 'off' everytime you insert a new card into the camera, it creates a new folder (eg. 100D5100, 101D5100, etc) and pictures you take are named 0001, 0002, 0003 etc etc
If it's set to 'on' then file numbering continues from the last picture number irrelevant of the number (except if you've taken 9999 pictures, at which time it will start over again)

So.... a new folder will have zero pictures in it if you format a new card, or the camera creates a new folder - and if the display option is only for the current folder, then you will see nothing until you take some pictures

Just out of curiousity.. what are the folders called on your card?

I always use the USB cable connection to hook up to the computer. I've got a card reader but it just as easy to plug the cable in.

Thanks everyone for the help,
Fotojack, I have ugraded to 1.01. My problem is with all SD cards not just certain ones.
Mojo, When I put the card back in the computer, after getting the message on the camera, and I check the card reader drive the pictures are there but not when I put it back in the camera..
SS381, I reset all the settings you suggested and still have the same problem. I only use one folder named D5100. This problem does not stop me from taking pictures it's just that I sometimes keep a SD card, for safty sake, awhile after I have downloaded pictured. Thanks again for all the help. If you can think of anything else I can try let me know......

I haven't tried that silverjack, Maybe if I use a USB cable instead of the reader things might be different.. I'll try it.. Thanks

Let's check a few more things....

What are you using to import the pictures?
Explorer with copy and paste, ViewNX2 import, or some other method.

If the pictures are on the card on your PC but not viewable on your camera, it certainly sounds like an issue with the camera (settings) then anything you might be doing.

If you do your import process, then insert the card into you camera - you can't see any pics
If you then take some pictures, and then attempt to view them on the camera - what happens??

Nikonpup thanks, Checked it and the box is not checked. It's not erasing the pictures the camera won't read them after I download them and put the card back in the camera. If I put the card back in the computer they are there.. Got me beet.
silverjack, I used the USB cord and it worked fine. The camera still saw the pictures.. Looks like that's what I'll have to do till I get this figured out. It's really bugging me.. Thanks....

ss381, I'm useing a built in card reader also a USB card readed. Mostly I've been using the built in reader. My problem happens with both. I then drag the picture file into a folder I've madefor them in my pictures. If I put the card back in the camera after downloading the pictures the card read "folder contains no images". If I continue to take pictures the card works fine showing 1/1 ect on the screen. I just used a USB cord to download some test pictures and everything worked fine. The pictures on the card stayed there...
thank you for your interest.... Would really like to figure it out...

nikonpup, Nothing on the card except the folder d510 photo file and the card is not write protected.....

mikeh said:

ss381, I'm useing a built in card reader also a USB card readed. Mostly I've been using the built in reader. My problem happens with both. I then drag the picture file into a folder I've madefor them in my pictures. If I put the card back in the camera after downloading the pictures the card read "folder contains no images". If I continue to take pictures the card works fine showing 1/1 ect on the screen. I just used a USB cord to download some test pictures and everything worked fine. The pictures on the card stayed there...
thank you for your interest.... Would really like to figure it out...

Click to expand...

Silverjack, Silvercreek. You can call me anything except late for dinner.

Save all your pics from the cars, format it in your camera, takes some pics, transfer via your card reader, then see what happens.
It may well be a quirk of the camera that is hiding your pics from it after a transfer