Windows 10: MP3 files getting corrupted when transferring to micro-SD cards

I want to transfer my MP3 music files to 32GB micro-SD cards so I can listen to them on portable devices. Unfortunately, when I do so, the files often end up getting corrupted in an odd way: the file will start playing normally, but then a piece of a completely different MP3 will end up "spliced" onto the original - sometimes, MORE than one MP3 file ends up getting "mashed" together into one file. The "original" MP3 files on the computer's hard drive are unaffected and play normally on Media Player. It does not matter if I try to "sync" a device using Media Player, or use a simple "drag 'n' drop" or copy-and-paste, I still end up with this corruption problem. It does not happen to every file, but enough of them to be annoying, and sometimes files that were not previosly corrupted end up getting corrupted if I plug the card back into the computer. Once, I even ended up with a card getting totally corrupted and unusable.

Has anyone else had this problem? If so, what can I do about it?

spunk said:

Try copying a smaller amount of files, rather then a large batch

It happens even when I only put one file into a folder at a time. In fact, "mashups" even occur between MP3 files that are in totally different folders (on the same micro SD card). If I put a single file into a folder, I will sometimes find that file "broken up and spliced" between several other MP3's.

First thing I would do would be to format the card, then copy the files as you have been doing but do not at this stage use the card on any other device apart from the PC.

Now see if the PC is happy with the copied files and can play them OK.

Are your portable devices compatible with 32Gb cards ?

Well, I formatted the micro-SD. Transferred one folder to it with no apparent problem. Songs played on the computer okay. Went to transfer another folder, and it only got part way (11% transfer) before the process stopped cold and I got an error message, and when I tried to access the SD card I got a message saying that it needed to be formatted (AGAIN!) before I could use it!

It could be a problem with the microSD card. Do you have another card you could try?

I bought three identical micro-SD cards, and all three have the exact same problem. One, in fact, seems to have been corrupted beyond recovery.

KC8MWG said:

I bought three identical micro-SD cards, and all three have the exact same problem. One, in fact, seems to have been corrupted beyond recovery.

Bargain bin brand?

As a matter of fact, yes - although, I HAVE run several analysis programs on the ones that are still accessible (not corrupted beyond re-formatting), and they ARE a true 32GB and not hacked 8GB ones (I got scammed once by a "genuine" Sandisk that turned out to be a Chinese counterfeit; lost a bunch of pics of my kids that way. It was sold as a 128GB, and turned out to be only 8GB hacked to "look" like a 128GB to a device, until an analysis program was run on it). Checked these BEFORE I used them. They ARE no-names, though.

KC8MWG said:

As a matter of fact, yes - although, I HAVE run several analysis programs on the ones that are still accessible (not corrupted beyond re-formatting), and they ARE a true 32GB and not hacked 8GB ones (I got scammed once by a "genuine" Sandisk that turned out to be a Chinese counterfeit; lost a bunch of pics of my kids that way. It was sold as a 128GB, and turned out to be only 8GB hacked to "look" like a 128GB to a device, until an analysis program was run on it). Checked these BEFORE I used them. They ARE no-names, though.

I've had the misfortune of buying a hacked SD card once. I read a post or article about some SD cards being hacked and checked the ones I had. Luckily I didn't have a lot on it and didn't lose anything.