Cannot access SD card

I have a 256MB SanDisk SD card from about two years ago. When I try to use it in my camera (Kodak C340), it says, "Reading memoring card...." for several seconds, and then says "Memory card requires reformatting." When I try to read the card on my computer with my Lexar JumpDrive Trio, the light on the reader turns amber (normally green) for about 15 seconds. Eventually it will turn green again, but when I try to open the drive in My Computer, I get an indefinite hour glass pointer and the light on the JumpDrive turns amber again. When I go to close My Computer, I get a "This program is not responding" dialog.

1.) What could have caused the card to become corrupted like this?
2.) Is there any possible way to attempt recovery of the data? I do not want to reformat the card because I'm not sure what's on it.

 

I wanted to bump this up to the top in case anyone has not seen it yet. Anyone know of a way to recover my data?

 

Had the same problem wih a 256M Lexar card in a 3MP Kodak digital camera. There are services who will try to recover the data, but they are rather expensive. In my case, Lexar did offer to try to recover the data, but it required sending the card back and we decided not to bother. After a reformat, it was OK.

I think the Kodak cameras don't do a very good job of erasing pictures. Lesson learded was to download from the camera often, and reformat the card to erase its contents.