An SD card requires a Flash media controller to be utilized by the operating system.
Drivers are necessary to allow the operating system to communicate with the hardware inside the computer itself. This is also true for Flash media devices, such as SD card readers.
Basic Information
PCs utilize hardware components from various manufacturers, so manufacturers provide their own software -- which are known as drivers -- to allow the operating system to communicate with their hardware. The computer will not be able to utilize the hardware device without this software.
Flash Media
Flash media devices such as SD cards, USB devices and solid-state hard drives are writable devices that can be electronically erased. Ricoh manufactures Flash media controllers, and it offers drivers that are required in order for the devices to function properly.
Considerations
A PC with a Ricoh Flash media controller often has a built-in SD card reader as well as USB ports, which are all controlled by the Flash media controller. If you are upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7, you may see an error that the controller is unsupported or is incompatible hardware. Drivers may need to be installed for the device to work properly after a complete hard drive reformat and reinstallation of the operating system.
Tags: operating system, Flash media controller, allow operating, allow operating system, communicate with, devices such