SOLVED: Issues with SDHC and TI SD Card Reader on Z6x series

[minc3d]

I think I have found a solution to a problem which I ran into with my new Z61t and others may have in the near future when they start upgrading to Vista X64. Well the problem is in regards to SDHC cards and the Texas Instruments SD card reader that Z61t units (and perhaps other models) use for the SD card slot.

I upgraded this new Z61t of mine to Vista x64 but the driver that Lenovo has on their site for VIsta x64 and this SD card reader DOES NOT work for SDHC cards. I don't know if the problem applies to non SDHC cards since I did not have a spare one to test.

If you have the combo of a Thinkpad with the TI Flash Media Card Reader and Vista x64 of any flavor, and are trying to use an SDHC card and the card just DOESNT show when plugged in, do the following:

1) Download the latest TI Flash SD driver for Vista x64 from in this case HP. THese drivers are usually cross vendor capable and you have to hunt since Lenovo doesn't have their site updated. The HP driver I link to below is version 2.0.0.7 but Lenovo has only 2.0.0.6 but the one step in driver versions is the difference between an SDHC capable slot and NOT!

ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp35001-35500/sp35308.exe

(the above link may break over time - simply do a google search for "TI flash media driver vista x64" and look for version 2.0.0.7 or newer and download that. It will work!)

2) Unpack the file by sending the contents of the EXE into a folder on your desktop called "SD CARD" or something you'd like, whatever the name is, doesn't matter as long as you can find it.

3) Go into Device Manager and run a manual driver update for the "Texas Instruments ..." listing under the Memory Technology driver category. Point the update wizard to the folder on your desktop and Vista should auto realize the proper driver and install it.

4) Plug in your SDHC card into the SD card slot and FINALLY enjoy a working card

I hope this helps the many who have Z6x series units with this same SD card reader!

(for those wondering, you need to have a Core 2 Duo powered Z6x series unit to be able to use Vista x64 and indeed my units has this. If you have a Core Duo you can easily upgrade to a Core 2!)