I recently bought the Zio usb smart reader, and I am having trouble, with it maby somebody can help me out. Julie the tickler full access. The first thing I did was installed the software then I pluged in the usb cable into the usb port on the cpu, then I pluged the ZIO into the other end of the cable, Now I insert the 32 mb, memory card from Olympus, into the Zio reader, Go into 'my computer' double click on the new 'drive H' made for the smart reader, then the system locks up, nothing works, I have to shut the system down, and reboot, and then maby after that it works. Has anybody had this problem, Is their a new driver I can get? Johnwrote:I recently bought the Zio usb smart reader, and I am havingtrouble, with it maby somebody can help me out. The first thing Idid was installed the software then I pluged in the usb cable intothe usb port on the cpu, then I pluged the ZIO into the other endof the cable, Now I insert the 32 mb, memory card from Olympus,into the Zio reader, Go into 'my computer' double click on the new'drive H' made for the smart reader, then the system locks up,nothing works, I have to shut the system down, and reboot, and thenmaby after that it works. Has anybody had this problem, Is their anew driver I can get? Please help.It is probably wise to turn the computer off before inserting the cable into the USB port.

I've got a smartmedia card reader (USB) that takes the memory cards the camera uses but my iBook refuses to recognise it. OS 9 is quite happy to see it (again on my old G3) but no dice on my iBook. This means I have to boot my desktop up in OS 9, load on the images, reboot it in OS X, connect to my iBook (OS X) and copy the images over via. SmartMedia Reader driver. If it has been installed, updating (overwrite-installing) may fix problems, add new functions, or expand existing ones. Even though other OSes might be compatible as well, we do not recommend applying this release on platforms other than the ones specified.

If you are using Windows 98, check to see that you have the second edition. If you had to install the drivers, then I assume that you have W98/W98SE and not W2K/WMe.

After installing the drivers you need to reboot the machine to enable it to finish its configuration.Now if the drivers are correct then plugging in the ZIO will cause it to show (if you haven't left it in during the reboot). Before taking a card out of the reader, you should select 'eject' by right clicking on the drive under 'my computer'. This is because of how windows browses drives by changing file attributes (not doing this may subject the media to the possibility of corruption).This is only my personal opinion from using various USB devices. I don't have a ZIO nor know if their drivers have any unique features. However you should check the manual for the drivers or device to see whether it allows hot-swapping (sometimes called 'auto connect').

If not then you may well need to have the card in the drive connected at boot time. I would also check (from the manual) whether the card needs to be in the drive BEFORE you connect it to the PC.

For cards in Digicams, you usually have to disconnect from the computer (using eject option) before attempting to remove the card - this is because the link from PC to card is active - removing the card obviously disupts that connection.NicBrucewrote:Johnwrote:I recently bought the Zio usb smart reader, and I am havingtrouble, with it maby somebody can help me out. The first thing Idid was installed the software then I pluged in the usb cable intothe usb port on the cpu, then I pluged the ZIO into the other endof the cable, Now I insert the 32 mb, memory card from Olympus,into the Zio reader, Go into 'my computer' double click on the new'drive H' made for the smart reader, then the system locks up,nothing works, I have to shut the system down, and reboot, and thenmaby after that it works.

Has anybody had this problem, Is their anew driver I can get? Please help.It is probably wise to turn the computer off before inserting thecable into the USB port. If you are using Windows 98, check to seethat you have the second edition. Johnwrote:I recently bought the Zio usb smart reader, and I am havingtrouble, with it maby somebody can help me out. The first thing Idid was installed the software then I pluged in the usb cable intothe usb port on the cpu, then I pluged the ZIO into the other endof the cable, Now I insert the 32 mb, memory card from Olympus,into the Zio reader, Go into 'my computer' double click on the new'drive H' made for the smart reader, then the system locks up,nothing works, I have to shut the system down, and reboot, and thenmaby after that it works. Has anybody had this problem, Is their anew driver I can get? Please help.John:I have been using the Zio for about three months now.

I have installed the software, and always use a hot connect. I put the card into the reader, then I plug the reader into a USB Hub. I have never run into a problem with the reader locking up the machine. The USB Hub has a game controller, and a scanner permenantly connected to it, and I am using the second edition of Win98. I would also like to mention, that you must make sure that the SM Card is plugged in with the contacts facing away from the Zio logo on the reader. Putting the card in backwards might freeze up the machine.MDiamond. Are you sure the computer is locking up?

I also have the Zio reader, and after double clicking on the 'removeable drive F', the light goes out on the Zio reader, and it takes a good while for the drive to 'open'. Lots of times I think the computer locked up, and then the drive will open and I can locate the Olympus folder. If you take really large pictures, there might be a good bit of lag time before the computer opens the drive.Johnwrote:I recently bought the Zio usb smart reader, and I am havingtrouble, with it maby somebody can help me out.

The first thing Idid was installed the software then I pluged in the usb cable intothe usb port on the cpu, then I pluged the ZIO into the other endof the cable, Now I insert the 32 mb, memory card from Olympus,into the Zio reader, Go into 'my computer' double click on the new'drive H' made for the smart reader, then the system locks up,nothing works, I have to shut the system down, and reboot, and thenmaby after that it works. Has anybody had this problem, Is their anew driver I can get? SueSeewrote:Are you sure the computer is locking up? I also have the Zioreader, and after double clicking on the 'removeable drive F', thelight goes out on the Zio reader, and it takes a good while for thedrive to 'open'. Lots of times I think the computer locked up, andthen the drive will open and I can locate the Olympus folder. Ifyou take really large pictures, there might be a good bit of lagtime before the computer opens the driveJohnwrote:I recently bought the Zio usb smart reader, and I am havingtrouble, with it maby somebody can help me out. The first thing Idid was installed the software then I pluged in the usb cable intothe usb port on the cpu, then I pluged the ZIO into the other endof the cable, Now I insert the 32 mb, memory card from Olympus,into the Zio reader, Go into 'my computer' double click on the new'drive H' made for the smart reader, then the system locks up,nothing works, I have to shut the system down, and reboot, and thenmaby after that it works.

Has anybody had this problem, Is their anew driver I can get? Please help.I am useing Windows ME, I make sure the smartmedia contacts are facing down like the instructions say, The computer locks up because I can wait and wait and wait, and nothing works when I do a 'ctl, alt, delete,' IT says 'MyComputer' not responding, So I try to do a system shut down, then that hangs up, And when It finaly Shuts down and reboots and I try it again it works fine. I even tried uninstalling the software and reinstalling but that didn't seem to work. I think the Zio and the ZMate use the same Shuttle chip set and SCM drivers. The ZMate techs told me to leave the adapter plugged into the USB socket and hot swap the SM card. They didn't mention 'ejecting' the card before pulling it out. If the function is available though, I would use it.

A PCM adapter does have a disable function in the tray. If you don't use it the program will warn you to use it the nex time.I installed mine the same way you did but I've seen devices that do it in reverse.

Some require device first then software when prompted. It may have an effect on the installer finding the right drivers on CD's. There are often separate folders for 95,98,ME, and 2K.Johnwrote:I recently bought the Zio usb smart reader, and I am havingtrouble, with it maby somebody can help me out. The first thing Idid was installed the software then I pluged in the usb cable intothe usb port on the cpu, then I pluged the ZIO into the other endof the cable, Now I insert the 32 mb, memory card from Olympus,into the Zio reader, Go into 'my computer' double click on the new'drive H' made for the smart reader, then the system locks up,nothing works, I have to shut the system down, and reboot, and thenmaby after that it works. Has anybody had this problem, Is their anew driver I can get? Thanks for the input Ed, I will try the eject button, and see if that helps.

I just ordered a new Dell Computer, (not because of the Zio problem) and maby if nothing else works maby that will fix my problem.Ed Pearsonwrote:I think the Zio and the ZMate use the same Shuttle chip set and SCMdrivers. The ZMate techs told me to leave the adapter plugged intothe USB socket and hot swap the SM card.

They didn't mention'ejecting' the card before pulling it out. If the function isavailable though, I would use it. A PCM adapter does have a disablefunction in the tray. If you don't use it the program will warn youto use it the nex time.I installed mine the same way you did but I've seen devices that doit in reverse. Some require device first then software whenprompted. It may have an effect on the installer finding the rightdrivers on CD's. There are often separate folders for 95,98,ME, and2K.Johnwrote:I recently bought the Zio usb smart reader, and I am havingtrouble, with it maby somebody can help me out.

The first thing Idid was installed the software then I pluged in the usb cable intothe usb port on the cpu, then I pluged the ZIO into the other endof the cable, Now I insert the 32 mb, memory card from Olympus,into the Zio reader, Go into 'my computer' double click on the new'drive H' made for the smart reader, then the system locks up,nothing works, I have to shut the system down, and reboot, and thenmaby after that it works. Has anybody had this problem, Is their anew driver I can get? Johnwrote:I recently bought the Zio usb smart reader, and I am havingtrouble, with it maby somebody can help me out. The first thing Idid was installed the software then I pluged in the usb cable intothe usb port on the cpu, then I pluged the ZIO into the other endof the cable, Now I insert the 32 mb, memory card from Olympus,into the Zio reader, Go into 'my computer' double click on the new'drive H' made for the smart reader, then the system locks up,nothing works, I have to shut the system down, and reboot, and thenmaby after that it works. Has anybody had this problem, Is their anew driver I can get? Please help.John - I can't help, but just wanted to let you know the same thing has happened to me, although it seems even more strange.

I hooked up my ZiO about two weeks ago. It worked perfectly. With the computer on, I'd put in a card, click on the drive letter for ZiO, download the pics and pull the card out. Could do that all the time, every time.Just yesterday, I put the card in and clicked on the drive letter, and nothing happened.

Couldn't move the cursor. Ctrl, alt, delete didn't work. Had to restart the computer. Well, to make a long story short, I finally found it will now work only if I hit 'eject' before removing the card. Now I can again slip the card in and out as many times as I want and it works every time.Computers!tlc.

Tom Carterwrote:Johnwrote:I recently bought the Zio usb smart reader, and I am havingtrouble, with it maby somebody can help me out. The first thing Idid was installed the software then I pluged in the usb cable intothe usb port on the cpu, then I pluged the ZIO into the other endof the cable, Now I insert the 32 mb, memory card from Olympus,into the Zio reader, Go into 'my computer' double click on the new'drive H' made for the smart reader, then the system locks up,nothing works, I have to shut the system down, and reboot, and thenmaby after that it works. Has anybody had this problem, Is their anew driver I can get? Please help.Tom: do you eject every time. Before you pull the card out?John - I can't help, but just wanted to let you know the samething has happened to me, although it seems even more strange.

Ihooked up my ZiO about two weeks ago. It worked perfectly. With thecomputer on, I'd put in a card, click on the drive letter for ZiO,download the pics and pull the card out. Could do that all thetime, every time.Just yesterday, I put the card in and clicked on the drive letter,and nothing happened.

Couldn't move the cursor. Ctrl, alt, deletedidn't work.

Had to restart the computer. Well, to make a longstory short, I finally found it will now work only if I hit 'eject'before removing the card. Now I can again slip the card in and outas many times as I want and it works every time.Computers!tlc.

I've had one of these readers for a couple of months now, and have used it on 98, Me, and most of the time, Windows-2000.I have experienced lock ups and other strange oddities. Some of them I can attribute to a very poor/flakey USB connection between supplied USB 'extension cable' and the Zio reader itself. Wiggle the reader around in the socket and all kinds of things happen.I have also experienced other, less explainable lock ups that I attribute to flakey driver software.I use the following BFI (brute force and ignorance) approach:1) If it looks like it's locked up, just yank the plug on it. Yes, Windows will complain that I just removed a device without using the official USB remove process, but at least it makes the system come back to life.2) After each different card, eject, then use the USB remove procedure (remove device icon from the taskbar) to completely remove the Zio and its drivers from the running system. Hi,I used the same approach to the same problem with the same results. Then I tried plan B which was to give it to a friend and go to store. Purchased the PNY reader for compact flash and smartmedia.

Half the price and twice the size, but no more hang-ups.Regards,KHtootswrote:I've had one of these readers for a couple of months now, and haveused it on 98, Me, and most of the time, Windows-2000.I have experienced lock ups and other strange oddities. Some ofthem I can attribute to a very poor/flakey USB connection betweensupplied USB 'extension cable' and the Zio reader itself. Wigglethe reader around in the socket and all kinds of things happen.I have also experienced other, less explainable lock ups that Iattribute to flakey driver software.I use the following BFI (brute force and ignorance) approach:1) If it looks like it's locked up, just yank the plug on it.

Yes,Windows will complain that I just removed a device without usingthe official USB remove process, but at least it makes the systemcome back to life.2) After each different card, eject, then use the USB removeprocedure (remove device icon from the taskbar) to completelyremove the Zio and its drivers from the running system. Johnwrote:Tom Carterwrote:Johnwrote:I recently bought the Zio usb smart reader, and I am havingtrouble, with it maby somebody can help me out. The first thing Idid was installed the software then I pluged in the usb cable intothe usb port on the cpu, then I pluged the ZIO into the other endof the cable, Now I insert the 32 mb, memory card from Olympus,into the Zio reader, Go into 'my computer' double click on the new'drive H' made for the smart reader, then the system locks up,nothing works, I have to shut the system down, and reboot, and thenmaby after that it works.

Has anybody had this problem, Is their anew driver I can get? Please help.Tom: do you eject every time. Before you pull the card out?John - sorry I was so long in getting back. I just ran a test, pulling the card out without using Eject. I put it back in, and it read the card just fine!

So my experience then, is that sometimes I have to use Eject and sometimes I don't. Strange.John - I can't help, but just wanted to let you know the samething has happened to me, although it seems even more strange. Ihooked up my ZiO about two weeks ago. It worked perfectly.

With thecomputer on, I'd put in a card, click on the drive letter for ZiO,download the pics and pull the card out. Could do that all thetime, every time.Just yesterday, I put the card in and clicked on the drive letter,and nothing happened. Couldn't move the cursor. Ctrl, alt, deletedidn't work. Had to restart the computer. Well, to make a longstory short, I finally found it will now work only if I hit 'eject'before removing the card.

Now I can again slip the card in and outas many times as I want and it works every time.Computers!tlc. Tootswrote:I've had one of these readers for a couple of months now, and haveused it on 98, Me, and most of the time, Windows-2000.I have experienced lock ups and other strange oddities. Some ofthem I can attribute to a very poor/flakey USB connection betweensupplied USB 'extension cable' and the Zio reader itself. Wigglethe reader around in the socket and all kinds of things happen.I have also experienced other, less explainable lock ups that Iattribute to flakey driver software.I use the following BFI (brute force and ignorance) approach:1) If it looks like it's locked up, just yank the plug on it. Yes,Windows will complain that I just removed a device without usingthe official USB remove process, but at least it makes the systemcome back to life.2) After each different card, eject, then use the USB removeprocedure (remove device icon from the taskbar) to completelyremove the Zio and its drivers from the running system. Dickkorwrote:Mike Diamondwrote:Please explain how to hack the supplied format utilities to'enable' panorama on non-olympus cards. I have tried many ways buthave no success.Try this site, the directions are easy to understandThanks for getting me on my way.DickkorI agree thanks for the input, The only thing is, the reason I bought this reader, is because so many people raved about the ZIO!

Oh well, I guess I will give it a little longer, Maby If we get rid of the cable, and just come right out of the USB socket, which is what I think it was made for. Johnwrote:dickkorwrote:Mike Diamondwrote:Please explain how to hack the supplied format utilities to'enable' panorama on non-olympus cards.

I have tried many ways buthave no success.Try this site, the directions are easy to understandThanks for getting me on my way.DickkorI agree thanks for the input, The only thing is, the reason Ibought this reader, is because so many people raved about the ZIO!Oh well, I guess I will give it a little longer, Maby If we get ridof the cable, and just come right out of the USB socket, which iswhat I think it was made for.

Olympus America Inc., Digital & Imaging Systems Group,world leader in film and filmless photography, today announced the OlympusUSB SmartMedia Reader/Writer, the fastest way to download images fromany SmartMedia digital camera. The new device complements the Olympusline of connectivity options, which includes serial, parallel, and PCMCIAport image download capability, and floppy disk compatibility, makingthe Olympus product offerings broader than any other.The Olympus USB Reader/Writer is travel-friendly and lightweightwith an ergonomic palm-sized design (dimensions of 2-1/2`` width x 4'height x 3/4`` depth). No heavy A/C adapter or batteries are ever neededand there are no moving parts. The reader is hot swappable and Plug 'NPlay ready, so it's always ready for instant use. It is ideal for portabilityand for those users that need to download image files to many differentcomputers.The Olympus USB SmartMedia Reader/Writer is also fasterthan any other desktop computer downloading solution.

It reads at speedsof up to 1 MB/second and provides sustained writes of up to 400KB/second.These speeds are up to 100 times faster than that which could be expectedwhen downloading through a serial port. With digital camera image-filesizes commonly increasing up to 5 megabytes, users need the fastest waypossible to quickly and easily download those larger images to a PC.``At Olympus, we have listened to our customers and weare providing what they have asked for - a fast, un-tethered downloadingsolution,' said Ben La Marca, Group Vice President Digital Marketingand Development. ``We offer the widest variety of choices for downloadingdigital camera images, so the consumer can decide which is the most convenient.Whether it be with the fastest USB Reader, an extremely fast PCMCIA adapterfor laptops users, FlashPath floppy disk adapter for use with the universallyavailable floppy disk drive, serial cable, or parallel download throughthe SmartMedia enabled Olympus P-330 Instant Photo Printer, Olympus providesthe solution.'

'Some vendors have chosen to incorporate USB directly insidetheir cameras. This has the effect of diminishing USB throughput. Olympushas instead maximized USB speed throughput by providing a separate reader.``Olympus decided to incorporate USB connectivity as an inexpensive externaldevice instead of building it inside the camera for three reasons: 1.The camera is free to do what it does best, take pictures, while imagesare downloaded via the USB reader. The camera is never tethered, somethingvery unpopular with users, to a computer or reader during downloading.3.

USB downloading through the external device achieves a faster throughputthan USB built into a camera,' said Brett Serxner, Product Manager.The Olympus USB Reader/Writer works with industry standard3.3 and 5-volt SmartMedia cards from any vendor. Images can be read fromSmartMedia cards that were recorded in cameras from all SmartMedia basedcameras from companies such as Agfa, Epson, Fuji, Minolta, Olympus, Toshiba,and others. Also of interest is a recent observation that SmartMedia cardshave been implemented for use in other consumer electronic products, includingthe new Diamond Multimedia Systems Rio MP3 player.Not only is the new Olympus USB SmartMedia Reader/Writeran excellent and speedy digital camera download device but it also canserve a second purpose. Because the device can write data, any data, onup to 32 MB SmartMedia cards, it makesan excellent ``sneaker net' product. When there is the need to transfera sizeable quantity of data across the office or across town, the OlympusUSB SmartMedia Reader/Writer may provide a fast affordable solution.``We have also tested the USB Reader/Writer with a largemovie trailer in a QuickTime file format. Because of the sustained throughputof the new USB Reader, the audio and video signals of this trailer areseamless.

This USB device is a cool, very high tech and portable player,'said Brett Serxner. ``Think of it in this way. The device is about one-fourththe size of a Zip drive, less expensive and faster. The media is one-thirdthe capacity yet a tiny fraction of the physical size and weight of aZip cartridge. It has no moving parts.

It's quite a compellingproduct.' 'The Olympus USB Reader/Writer will be available duringJuly 1999 for $79.95. It is compatible with MacOS 8.1 or later and Windows98 (USB port must be available). The package includes the USB Reader/Writer,drivers for both computing platforms, and manual. It can be purchasedfrom camera specialty stores, computer superstores, office superstores,consumer electronic stores, mail order catalogs, and e-commerce sites.