"Not enough free space" when there is

Question

I'm trying to copy a bunch of fairly small files to a 512 MB SD card using an external card reader. Even though the Finder tells me there is, say, 300 MB available, when I try to copy a number of files at once, I'll get a message telling me that a certain file can not be copied because there is not enough free space. However, if I go back and try to copy that file and a few others, they'll copy without a problem. I'll copy another relatively small number without a problem and then try another bunch and get the error "not enough free space" message again.
While I eventually did copy all the files in small bunches, it was a drag and I'd love to find out why it didn't work in one large bunch. . . .

Answer 1

Perhaps the write-speed to the card via the card reader
(likely just in the card's circuitry itself) is too slow to take
a load of files for copying that way. Given some of the
camera cards can barely move one image at a time to
the card from the camera's processor, you have to figure
this load of several strings of different files at once has
to be a considerable load on the card's limited speed.
Some cameras and devices with fast image processors
can use faster memory cards. If you need to drag-drop
images or files in large capacity groups, consider getting
a faster speed card and see if that helps. Or use a USB
Flash Drive, since some of them do better with file groups;
if just using the device to move large files between PCs.
Good luck & happy computing!