diff --git a/src/calibre/devices/usbms/driver.py b/src/calibre/devices/usbms/driver.py
index e568bd2587..89531ec057 100644
--- a/src/calibre/devices/usbms/driver.py
+++ b/src/calibre/devices/usbms/driver.py
@@ -94,11 +94,29 @@ class USBMS(CLI, Device):
         self.report_progress(1.0, _('Get device information...'))
         self.driveinfo = {}
         if self._main_prefix is not None:
-            self.driveinfo['main'] = self._update_driveinfo_file(self._main_prefix, 'main')
-        if self._card_a_prefix is not None:
-            self.driveinfo['A'] = self._update_driveinfo_file(self._card_a_prefix, 'A')
-        if self._card_b_prefix is not None:
-            self.driveinfo['B'] = self._update_driveinfo_file(self._card_b_prefix, 'B')
+            try:
+                self.driveinfo['main'] = self._update_driveinfo_file(self._main_prefix, 'main')
+            except (IOError, OSError) as e:
+                raise IOError(_('Failed to access files in the main memory of'
+                        ' your device. You should contact the device'
+                        ' manufacturer for support. Common fixes are:'
+                        ' try a different USB cable/USB port on your computer.'
+                        ' If you device has a "Reset to factory defaults" type'
+                        ' of setting somewhere, use it. Underlying error: %s')
+                        % e)
+        try:
+            if self._card_a_prefix is not None:
+                self.driveinfo['A'] = self._update_driveinfo_file(self._card_a_prefix, 'A')
+            if self._card_b_prefix is not None:
+                self.driveinfo['B'] = self._update_driveinfo_file(self._card_b_prefix, 'B')
+        except (IOError, OSError) as e:
+            raise IOError(_('Failed to access files on the SD card in your'
+                ' device. This can happen for many reasons. The SD card may be'
+                ' corrupted, it may be too large for your device, it may be'
+                ' write-protected, etc. Try a different SD card, or reformat'
+                ' your SD card using the FAT32 filesystem. Also make sure'
+                ' there are not too many files in the root of your SD card.'
+                ' Underlying error: %s') % e)
         return (self.get_gui_name(), '', '', '', self.driveinfo)
 
     def set_driveinfo_name(self, location_code, name):