VAIO PCG-GR214MP + Memory Stick PRO Duo + Adapter

[Skeeta]

I've read through the other 14 threads concernitng compatability but I didn't come across an answer for my problem.
I bought my PCG-GR214MP in the UK in October 2001 (yes, it's ancient I know, but it still works after a fashion ;-). It has a built in Memory Stick MagicGate slot. I recently borrowed a SONY DCR-IP1E MicroMV Handycam which uses a PRO Duo Memory Stick. I wanted to download the images from the handycam to my VAIO hard drive via the PRO Duo Memory Stick so I inserted the PRO Duo Memory Stick into the MSAC-M2 Memory Stick Duo Adapter and then inserted the Adapter into the slot on my VAIO.

In Windows Explorer Drive E recognises the media as 'Sony Memory Stick - MG' but I immediately get a message saying 'The disk in Drive E is not formatted. Do you want to format it now?' I click Yes and the message 'The disk in Drive E cannot be formatted' appears. Right clicking on the drive and selecting Properties - General tab - shows that the Capacity is 0 bytes, File System is Unknown and disk is Full.

I know that the Memory Stick PRO Duo was introduced a couple of years after my VAIO but I can't see any way to format the Memory Stick (BTW I erased the images and formatted the MS in the handycam so I'm assuming that it would be compatible with my VAIO system) My OS is XP PRO SP2 with all updates applied.

I should mention that I do have my System Recovery Disks for the VAIO but a search of my hand drive (VERY FULL) did not reveal any Memory Stick formatting software (I possibly deleted it trying to make more room on my hard drive).

Can anyone suggest how I might be able to get my VAIO to format/recognise/read the Memory Stick is is my VAIO just too old?

Thanks for any help

Tricia

[kee-lo_]

Did you download the firmware Sony made a few years ago for the MS slot? It allows you to use the newer MSPros

Otherwise for around £5 you can get a USB reader which can easily handle the new generation of Memory Stick

[Skeeta]

Did you download the firmware Sony made a few years ago for the MS slot?  It allows you to use the newer MSPros

Thank you for responding so promptly to my query. No, I'm quite sure that although I'm diligent about installing all the OS updates (have just installed 7 tonight) I've not downloaded any Sony firmware updates. This is the way I would prefer to go because I have only borrowed the handycam from a friend (hence my first attempt to use the Memory Stick reader in 5 years:smileyblush: ) - can you please advise whether the firmware update is (still) available on the VAIO site? If not, can you point me to where I might be able to download it?

Thanks once again for your help!

Tricia

[Skeeta]

Kee-Lo,

Sorry to trouble you again...I Googled 'Firmware Update for Sony Memory Stick Pro' and found this site -

http://sony.storagesupport.com/cdrw/downloads/20u11a/20u11a_update.html

However, I'm not all that technically literate and having read through the instructions I don't know what 'MPD-AP20U' refers to. I'm guessing that MPD MIGHT be 'Memory Stick Pro Duo' but it's just that - a guess. Would you be kind enough to confirm that this is the firmware update I should download and install - from memory it was dated 2003.

Cheers
Tricia

[kee-lo_]

That's for a CD

Anyway go to www.vaio-link.com
Click Drivers and Updates
Look for your notebook
Click on the firemware updates
Click on the memory stick firmware, and make sure you read the instructions before download

[rich912]

Unfortunately I don’t think that there is a Memory Stick firmware upgrade for the GR series. I know that an upgrade was released for various models including the GRx series but alas not the GR.:smileysad:

[kee-lo_]

heh typical Sony