I'm having trouble with my SD data, games and all applications that rely upon it.
A few days ago I closed my 3DS while playing Animal Crossing: New Leaf. While it was closed, the blue SpotPass indicator lit up (which was for a new puzzle piece). I opened the system, exited to the Home menu and all my games had disappeared - only the default system apps and catridge game are present.
I went into the StreetPass Mii Plaza as the SpotPass indicator was on the icon. When I went in, it said something like 'Update data not found on SD Card' and gave instructions to delete Add On data, which I did. When I returned to StreetPass Mii Plaza it still said 'The software update data...could not be found...', but when I tried to redownload it, it gave an error. It has given several different errors, even though nothing has changed. Each have been either about not being able to use the SD card or being unable to connect to the internet. It then tells me to try again and to exit to Home menu. I've done this about a dozen times to no effect.
I also cannot connect to the eShop, with similar errors.
I can connect to the internet with no problem as tested in the Internet Browser.
The SD card works fine, as tested in my PC.
My 3DS was completely up to date when this occurred and I had been using it routinely, playing Animal Crossing and using the eShop, StreetPass Mii Plaza and Activity Log with no problems.
I can still play and save Animal Crossing from cartridge without any problems.
I recently moved from the stock 2GB SD card (as it was full) that came with the unit to an 8GB Class 2 Sandisk MicroSD card (with adapter), I followed all formatting instructions on both the Nintendo and Sandisk sites before putting it in my system. I previously used this card without fault in both my digital camera and MP3 player. I also followed all steps on the Nintendo site for copying my games between cards, but this did not work and I lost all my data and had to start again, downloading all my 30+ games again.
Currently in system data it has placeholder icons for each game but with a grey '?' icon and no names.
In my PC it says over 2GB data is in use on the card, but there is actually only 35MB worth of files on it. It is as if there are invisible placeholder files as read by both PC and 3DS. The card is not locked.
I can understand that if I was misusing my system or removing the card inappropriately it could all stuff up, but I treat my 3DS exceptionally well and I just don't understand how during normal use everything can instantly disappear!
This is doing my head in!! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. If I have to start over again, I'm going to lose it...
Thanks!