Belkin Multimedia Expresscard Does Not Read 4GB SD Card!

Question

Belkin Multimedia Expresscard Does Not Read 4GB SD Card!

Has anyone else had a problem with the Belkin Multimedia Reader and Writer ExpressCard, part #F5U213?

The ExpressCard device is recognised by the MBP and it reads a 128MB Sandisk SD card - the card's icon immediately appears on the desktop.

However it does NOT read a 4GB SanDisk ULTRA II SD HC card. No icon appears on the desktop even after a long waiting period. The product was purchased for the convenience of transferring images from a Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX 2 digital camera. Disappointing that it does not seem to work as advertised. Belkin's US website offers no information.

MacBook Pro 2Ghz Intel Core Duo 15" Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Jul 9, 2007 12:01 AM

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Answer 1

Ricktoronto

Level 6

11,560 points

Jul 9, 2007 10:13 AM in response to Hamdani Milas1

For a SD HC card the answer is simple, you need an SD HC reader not what you have. Sandisk provided one with the 4GB SD card I bought.

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Answer 2

Jul 9, 2007 10:45 AM in response to Ricktoronto

Hi Ricktoronto
Like you I have the Sandisk reader that came with the 4GB SD card. But I wanted the convenience of having an SD card reader permanently in the MBP's ExpressCard/34 slot so I didn't have to remember to carry cables or USB readers!

It seems though that the Belkin Multimedia ExpressCard Reader can't recognise the HC flavour of the SD card...

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Answer 3

Argelius

Level 2

259 points

Jul 9, 2007 11:03 AM in response to Ricktoronto

I was just going to post the very same question. In the same boat here -- like having the integrated card reader (still amazing that Apple, with its focus on graphics and photography) doesn't build them into their computers in the first place...

So, does any one make an SDHC ExpressCard 3/4 reader?

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Answer 4

Argelius

Level 2

259 points

Jul 9, 2007 11:09 AM in response to Argelius

Okay. Found one here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16839176001

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Answer 5

Jul 9, 2007 6:02 PM in response to Argelius

Thanks Argelius, should be able to find the Atech model or similar here in Hong Kong. Must remember to read the fine print on the box next time! Some faith lost in the Belkin brand though - no information about this issue on their website, minimal specification information on the product packaging and zero email response so far from their Asia customer support.

I wonder is there any way for Belkin to issue a firmware upgrade for this device?

It seems there are known compatibility issues with the newer High Capacity SD cards. For those who are interested there is a very informative article about SD flash memory cards on Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SecureDigitalcard

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Answer 6

Jul 10, 2007 5:59 PM in response to Hamdani Milas1

Found an alternative that works - APIOTEK 18 in 1 SDHC/MS/MMC/XD : EC-000418, Multi-Media Card ExpressCard/34 Reader. Made in Taiwan and cheaper than the Belkin by a few dollars.

http://www.apiotek.com/Global/Product/Peripheral.htm#

Still no response from Belkin Technical Support or Customer Service in USA or Asia to queries on this issue.

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Answer 7

Jul 11, 2007 8:19 AM in response to Hamdani Milas1

I have contacted customer support and they have no clue to why this is happening. They offered a replacement but I have already replaced the unit once and there is still the same problem with my unit. I think this is just due to faulty hardware that they have created and it should be fixed before they continue to sell it.

MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.10) 2.33 GHz, 2GB Ram

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Answer 8

Jul 11, 2007 10:05 PM in response to iPower659

Belkin's customer support in Singapore emailed me yesterday confirming that the Belkin Multimedia Reader and Writer ExpressCard, part #F5U213 does NOT support SD HC flash memory cards. They suggested I return the unit to the store for a refund (unlikely) or offered to exchange it for a similar Belkin product at the same price. Meanwhile I am perfectly happy with the APIOTEK model which remains in the MBP as a permanent and convenient fixture. See previous posting for more information.

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Answer 9

Bucht

Level 1

145 points

Aug 10, 2007 11:39 AM in response to Hamdani Milas1

I have a similar problem with the same reader. A Viking 2GB card works but a Sandisk 2GB card (both standard as far as i can tell) does not work. any idea?

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