But tonight I thought I'd put my little SD in the slot on the side of the laptop, just as we've done many times, and get some updated pictures on this computer for out-of-state family.

I barely put the little Kodak 4 gb Memory Card in the slot and the little green light came on.
But when I pushed the Memory Card all the way in, the light went off.

I didn't think anything of it so I went ahead and clicked the "import Photos" from my photo program.
I got a message that I didn't have an SD in the slot.
Told me to make sure I had pictures on the card, blah blah blah.
I tried again. Same results.
I tried another photo program and again, message that there was no card in the slot.

I went searching on Compaq's site for an update to.....
well, I wasn't sure what I was looking for. Anything that said something about SD/SM/XD.
I couldn't find a thing. Then again, I don't know what I was supposed to be looking for.

We used the slot with our SD last time and it was fine.

I have most of Windows updates---the critical ones.

Does anyone know of a fix for my Memory Card not being recognized by the little slot on my lap top?

Compaq Presario V4240US
Windows XP
Service Pk 2
Internet Explorer

If you look in Device Manager do you see any little yellow exclamation points anywhere?

Have you rebooted the machine?

Thank you so very much for responding.
Sorry about my delay with a response but I was waiting for my actual laptop to get back. Was on another computer yesterday while my son had my laptop for work (he dropped his) but wanted the actual laptop with the problem in case there was someting else suggested here to try.

I went to the product page as you suggested, mike_kaiser, but the driver listed is exactly the same one that is listed in my Device Manager so I didn't bother with that.
No exclamations on any of the things in device manager---I even clicked each one to open each one all the way to see what was inside each main title.

Yes, I rebooted several times.
I even raised my virtual memory because I had received a message that it was too low while I was scrolling around Ebay. I rebooted after raising the virtual memory but still the little slot won't acknowledge the SD card.
The little light on the slot does flicker. I guess that means it's working?

genes,
No, I haven't tried another SD card. But yesterday my neighbor took my SD card and loaded the photos on her computer. She said she is coming over today with a little mini flash drive (?) that I can stick in my laptop and download the photos to this laptop that way. This means the SD card itself isn't broken, right?

Again, Thanks to both of you for responding!

Yes, when I click on it in My Computers it shows
'Texas Instruments PCIxx21 Integrated Flash Media Controller' and when I click the Action up above it has a drop-down list to delete, uninstall, etc.
I didn't want to do anything until I came back here but I was in and out of the house so many times yesterday that I knew I wouldn't have time to follow any instructions if any had been posted.
So to answer your question, yes, the Controller can be removed but I was just at the Compaq site and they have the same one listed for this laptop so I'm assuming I have the latest, right?

Hiyas Ravencajun!
Thanks to you I am the new owner of a USB 2.0 CAMERA DATA CABLE for my Kodak at $3.36! OK, well, I don't actually have it in my hand but the seller on Ebay has 100% Feedback and over 1600 sales so I'm sure I'll get it soon.

I would still like to try and diagnose the SD slot problem. We used it, turned off the laptop, put it in it's case and it went back in the nightstand drawer for weeks.
Maybe gremlins got to the laptop slot while it was put away/not in use. lol
I'll keep looking around the web, see if I can find anything out. If I do I will be back to report, just in case anyone else comes here with the same problem.

Thanks so much to you both!!!

Another option is to go into device manager and delete the controller entry. Reboot the computer. Windows will re-discover the device and re-install the drivers. That may (or may not) fix your problem. You don't have anything to loose by trying.

I suspect it is a failed sd card slot, it is one of the first things to go on a lot of computers, not sure why but they do fail often. You can get it replaced not sure what the cost would be never done one, I prefer having the flexibility of the usb card reader that I can move between all my machines.

USB 2.0 Mini All-in-One Memory Card Reader
there are some to see what they look like. You can get them most anywhere from walmart to best buy.