SD card in the cd slot

I tried to follow the directions by Cathy1956 (above), but could not quite understand the description of the L-shaped device. I couldn't tell how the base had both a fold and loose edges. So, I just bumbled along anyway, and made an L of approximately the dimensions she described (13 cm by 6.5 cm, 1. 7 cm wide, and about 2 mm thick). I made the inside of the L slightly curved at the corner, for better strength (and a more attractive appearance).

I held the end of the long leg of the L in my right hand, and then I inserted the L with the short leg pointing down, into the optical-drive slot near the top of the slot. Feeling around, I found that there is an obstacle about where the center of a CD or DVD would be: one wants to come in just below that, and then get the short leg of the L as far in to the back of the slot as it will go. I tried to be delicate, so as not to bend or multilate the cardboard L-tool. At this point the L is still oriented with the tip of the short leg down. Then I raked outward, and the short leg of the L encountered the elusive SD card and easily brought it right out at the bottom of the slot. OK!

So, many thanks to Cathy and her husband! Now I am using extra pieces of cardboard to make a ridge between the two slots, so that one can easily feel where the openings are.

How engineers designed this without the foresight to anticipate this problem, I do not know. But I am very glad to have obtained the cure.

I'm old skool and still use the giant paper clip method. This was the method advised when I first got involved in this forum years ago and it works a treat. Big paper clips are thick enough to fill enough of the slot that the card will be caught and long enough to reach to the back of the drive when unfolded into an 'L'. Even though I know about the problem I've done it a couple of times over the years and so I don't panic and usually catch the card close to the entrance of the drive slot.

Thank you!!!!! This was the best advice. I tried using a paper clip, index card and even a letter opener. Nothing worked so I tried your method and cut the piece of cereal box face to the dimensions you stated. I turned off my computer, unplugged it and tilted the CD slot toward the floor. That probably wasn't even necessary. I used the cereal box L to scoop out the SD card just like you mentioned and it came out the very first time with almost no effort at all. I was so upset and thought I had ruined my computer! Thanks to you, I was able to get the SD card out very easily.

My name is Matt Kelly. I am the Treasurer of Blaine High School TSA, and I am an idiot. Thank you for your help, the cardboard trick worked like a charm. Please help the idiots of America like me not do this thing.

Thanks very much!!!

The paper clip trick works perfectly.🙂

Thanks for the posting. It worked like a charm. When I see all the others who did this, I don't feel (quite as) stupid.

Chuck

I took the metal hanger from a hanging file folder and slid in to the back and used the hook to grab the card and push forward until I could grab the corner of the SD card. Worked like a charm!

Turning on it's side and using the L shaped paperclip worked! Victory! Woohoo!

Thanks!

I just did the same thing putting an SD card in the dvd slot. I found a really simple solution that worked really well. Since the slot is designed for the thickness of a dvd, I took an old dvd and cut it down the middle with scissors. I then cut a notch into the end of it. I laid the mac on its face and stuck the notched dvd in the high point of the slot and slid it toward the bottom until it caught on the sd card. It came out on the 2nd try. Took about 30 seconds.

LOL....So glad this was here! L-Shaped the paper clip, and Viola! Thanks!

Hey all,

I just got my SD card out of the CD slot by unplugging the iMac and resting it on my knees with slot side down, then took a small allen key (Hook side) and fished it out.

Back running now.

MarsD30

Thanks so much !!

same problem, same solution, success !

In punition to my mac I stuck a piece of scotch tape on the CD slot …

Last night I tried using a pipe cleaner. Success! Plus the softness of the pipe cleaner is no danger to the CD drive optics.

In response to anyone who feels rather dumb, as I did in pushing an SD card into the CD/DVD optical drive, entirely as a result of not concentrating and applying 'more haste, and consequently less speed!'

.....Here's my solution!

Hastily, tried the improvised double thickness cardboard 'hook' technique from a Marks & Spencer Lasagne sleeve! and ...Failed!

Didnt fancy the Apple Genius route for fear of looking a complete elderly fool walking into an Apple Store in a busy shopping centre with a 27" iMac testing my balance, asthma, and upper body physique! Guess that would be hashtag 'notcool'

Didnt fancy the Apple Genius route for fear of not knowing what it would £cost!

'L' shaped Paper clip seemed to be a very successful solution but was put off by the idea of doing anything that involved carrying my iMac down a flight of stairs and tripping up on the penultimate step by Charlie the cat, solely in order to place it face down on a table, or sit with it on my knee exascerbating sciatica!

Also didnt fancy pushing metal into 'the abyss' for fear of potentially causing damage!

Read the post about inserting a 150mm/6" inch ruler diagonally, but sadly my redundant Civil Engineering Scale Rule was too thick!

Then, hey presto! I noticed I had two unopened SanDisk products, a Cruzer Switch USB flash Drive and a SDHC Card each mounted on card packaging 125mm x 75mm and 1mm thick. I firmly hand held the the two products' card packaging back to back and inserted/guided them into the optical drive at a 45 degree angle until the packaging contents would not allow any further intrusion. On both products the item is packaged at 72mm from the top edge.

Voila! As I pulled the double packaging away from the optical drive, still at a 45 degree angle, my relief was ecstatic at the sight of a blue corner of a 2Gb Integral SD memory card, appearing from behind the 'Stage Curtain"

So there you have it! ...I could have condensed this to:

Dont bother unplugging your iMac. Ooops safety first!

Dont bother balancing it on your knee as if it's swallowed it's tonge!

Just get a piece of smooth cardboard minimum 72mm high and 75mm wide and insert it at a 45 degree angle, pull back, and feel the 'resistance' of the lost SD card, and firmly pull until it appears!

I genuinely and sincerely hope something similar works for you too, as the satisfaction in obtaining a solution is 'Epic'

Thank you also to everyone who bothers to contribute to these forums