tjw503's Full Review: SmartDisk Dazzle ZiO! DM-8700 Card Reader
I bought this item as an alternative to always having to plug in my digital camera and my MP3 player to transfer files between them and my computer. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but things quickly went south from there.
My first sign of trouble was when my computer could not read the installation CD provided with the unit. It appeared to be fine, but nothing would get my CD drive on any of my three computers to read it. I finally downloaded the drivers for the unit from the Microtech web site. Those installed quickly and easily, so my hopes were again raised.
Plugging the unit into my USB port was quick and easy. There's the option of plugging it directly into your computer (especially helpful for a laptop or a computer with front-facing USB ports) or you can connect the USB extension cable to the unit and then to the computer. At three feet, the extension cable provides plenty of flexibility in placing the unit for easy access.
After installing the unit, I loaded in my first SmartMedia card. The drive immediately showed up on my computer and I could easily open it to reveal all the files on the card. When I tried to open a file, however, my computer froze. Undeterred, I rebooted and tried again. I was able to open one file before my computer froze again. I went through this several more times before I went back to the Microtech web site to find different drivers or some other troubleshooting assistance. Alas, none were available, so I tried a few other troubleshooting ideas (switching USB ports, switching computers, etc.) All gave the same end result, which was constant a parade of the Blue Screen of Death. Without the unit attached (but with the drivers still installed), my computer rarely freezes up, so there is an immediate and obvious connection to the unit and the crashes.
Sadly, I cannot report on the return or warranty service of this unit because the receipt disappeared faster than my hope that this unit would actually work. Because plugging the camera or MP3 player in proved to such an easy alternative compared to crashing my computer every three minutes, I got lazy and did not pursue the problem with the company. I'm not blaming my laziness on the company or forecasting what their response would have been, but hope that by providing this review, I can help other people avoid the need to hassle with a return process.
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