2. Navionics Multi Card Reader - Required information could not be retrieved from the Navionics Memory Card due to windows drive letter conflict.

Date Posted: 06-Nov-2006

Status: Finalized

Problem:
The Navionics Multi Card Reader should work as a plug and play device under Microsoft Windows XP. However, the Navionics Multi Card Reader may be affected by known drive letter conflict issues caused by the Windows XP operating system.

In this circumstance you may receive the error: "Required information could not be retrieved from the Navionics memory card. The chart was not opened successfully"

Solution:
First, note the PC requirements to use the Navionics Multi Card Reader:

• Fugawi Marine ENC Ver. 4.10 or greater
• Microsoft® Windows® XP (Home or Professional edition)
• USB 2 (high speed USB) port on PC (USB 1 port may be used but chart loading time will be significantly slower)
• Navionics Multi Card Reader
• Navionics Gold+, Gold, Silver, or HotMaps® chart on CF, SD, or MMC card
• Not compatible with the older-generation Navionics NavChart (NC) cartridge
• Do not install your Navionics card into a third-party card reader (the Navionics charts will only work with a Navionics Multi Card Reader).

The Navionics Multi Card Reader should work as a plug and play device under Microsoft Windows XP. However, the Navionics Multi Card Reader may be affected by known drive letter conflict issues caused by the Windows XP operating system.

When a removable USB drive is attached to a PC for the first time, Windows XP mounts it to the first available drive letter. If there is a network drive associated (mapped) to this letter, Windows will use it anyway because network shares are specific to the current user and not visible in the context of the system where the letter is assigned. The USB drive then appears to be invisible and/or is inoperable.

The following information may be of assistance to those who have multiple network drives mapped to higher drive letters, such as G:\, H:\, I:\, etc. However, these instructions should be followed with care and only by a suitably qualified network administrator. Northport Systems assumes no liability for users who modify Windows system or network settings.

The Navionics Multi Card Reader has three slots. When you connect the Navionics Multi Card Reader to your PC, Windows XP will automatically assign a drive letter for each of these three slots, regardless of whether one or more Navionics cards are inserted.

Typically, these drive letters will be consecutive (for example E:\, F:\ and G:\). If any of these drive letters are currently used for mapped network drives, there will be a conflict and the Navionics Multi Card Reader will not work.

To solve the problem, have your system administrator perform the following tasks:

1. Restart the computer, ensuring that the Navionics Card Reader is not plugged in.

2. Open Windows Explorer and temporarily Disconnect the Network Drive drive(s) by right clicking on the drive letter and selecting Disconnect from the pop-up menu.

3. Plug in the Navionics Multi Card Reader. It should now be automatically configured to use three consecutive drive letters (such as E:\ F:\ and G:\). Test that the card reader is working by inserting a Navionics SD, MMC or CF card into an appropriate slot. If you can browse to the Navionics folder on the card using Windows Explorer, everything is properly configured.

4. Next, you will need to reassign the Navionics drive letters to vacant drive letters (required to reconnect the network drive in step 6 below). To reassign the drive letter, use Computer Management Console as follows:

A) Click the Start button.
B) Click the Run... item and in the Run dialog, type in compmgmt.msc and click OK.
C) This will open the Computer Management Console. Under the Storage tree on the left hand side, click on Disk Management...You will now see the computer hard drives and external drives listed on the bottom panel of the right hand side. The Navionics Multi Card Reader drives will be listed as "Removable". Right click on the drive letter you wish to reassign and select Change Drive Letter and Paths... from the pop-up menu.
D) In the next window, click Change, then pick a new drive letter and click OK. Do this for each drive letter assigned to the Navionics Multi Card Reader that is in conflict with an existing network drive.
E) Close the Computer Management Console.
5. Finally, reconnect the network drive share to its original drive letter using Tools|Map Network Drive in Windows Explorer.

NOTE: All three Navionics Multi Card Reader slots must be visible to the Windows XP Operating System, regardless of whether a Navionics card is inserted. Further, all three slots must be enabled. Do not disable one or more of the three USB drives as this will stop the Navionics Multi Card Reader from working correctly.

For more information on the Windows Computer Management Console see: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=309000.