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Kir4n Author

Level 1

4 points

SD card reader not working on iMac

The SD card reader slot on my iMac has stopped picking up cards. When I insert a card, it fails to mount.
This used to work fine, and still does if a card is inserted while booting up. But after it has been ejected, it will fail to mount again.

I've seen suggestions that this is a hardware issue.
As this sounds very unlikely - can anyone confirm?
Are other experience this?
Is there a bug fix due?

thanks

iMac 27" Intel Core i5, Mac OS X (10.6.3), Model Identifier: iMac11,1

Posted on Jun 12, 2010 2:32 PM

203 replies

john3lee

Level 1

0 points

Mar 27, 2011 3:06 PM in response to kernowguy

I'm having the same problems as others here. I was wondering if other are using "Clean my Mac" software?
It certainly seems to be as a result of the last software update......
Come on Apple, whats going on?
I'm a photographer and dont dont expect these problems.

thehobo

Level 1

0 points

Mar 29, 2011 7:19 AM in response to Kir4n

This is DEFINITELY not a hardware issue. The card reader works fine on my pc but when I Plug it into my mbp the reader flashes once and then stays dead. The readers getting power and it reads fine on windows so I'm sure it's a software issue. Strange that the bug apparently only affects a few readers though

JLF SC

Level 1

0 points

Apr 1, 2011 2:05 PM in response to thehobo

I just received the following helpful URL link from SanDisk tech support.

http://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/60

SanDisk responded within 5 hours of my inquiry. After removing all USB devices from my iMac and reinserting the card reader alone, the reader started working again. I ejected it numerous times from USB ports on the iMac as well as from a USB hub. After plugging my other USB devices back in, I have not detected if there was a device which was causing the conflict. As a precaution I have removed USB devices that are only used periodically such as a Colorvision Spyder2Express device used every 30 days or so to color correct my monitor.

Hope this helps others with Mac card reader issues.

Apr 3, 2011 10:10 PM in response to JLF SC

JLF SC wrote:
I just received the following helpful URL link from SanDisk tech support.

http://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/60

SanDisk responded within 5 hours of my inquiry. After removing all USB devices from my iMac and reinserting the card reader alone, the reader started working again. I ejected it numerous times from USB ports on the iMac as well as from a USB hub. After plugging my other USB devices back in, I have not detected if there was a device which was causing the conflict. As a precaution I have removed USB devices that are only used periodically such as a Colorvision Spyder2Express device used every 30 days or so to color correct my monitor.

The problem is with build in card reader from iMac and not with a USB connected card reader.

john3lee

Level 1

0 points

Apr 4, 2011 2:43 AM in response to JLF SC

I have tried everything... I also looked at the system profiler as suggested on the SanDisk site, but it does not show up in the list.
The led is working which suggests power to the unit.
The only changes i have made to my system was the installation of "clean my mac", & wanted to know if others with the sd reader issue are using this product. (I might remove this application).
I have also tried all solutions listed here, to no avail, leading me to assume it was in the latest Apple update.

aslewis

Level 1

0 points

Apr 7, 2011 8:50 AM in response to john3lee

You guys aren't using DevonThink by chance are you? I had the exact same problem. Just by chance I quite it. Set it to not restart on reboot. Rebooted and voila!

Apr 7, 2011 9:42 PM in response to aslewis

aslewis wrote:
You guys aren't using DevonThink by chance are you? I had the exact same problem. Just by chance I quite it. Set it to not restart on reboot. Rebooted and voila/___sbsstatic___/migration-images/migration-img-not-avail.png

This is not a problem of DevonThink/___sbsstatic___/migration-images/migration-img-not-avail.png
After a reboot of my iMac the internal SD card reader works exact one time.
When I remove the SD card and I plug in again the card reader doesn't work anymore. 😟

*Come on Apple and remedy this problem

den.thed

Level 10

82,528 points

Apr 7, 2011 10:08 PM in response to Bernd Maedicke

Sounds like you are not properly ejecting the SD card before removing it from the iMac?

To properly eject an SD card before removal, either right click +(control click)+ on the card's desktop image and then select eject or drag the card's desktop image to the Trash.

john3lee

Level 1

0 points

Apr 8, 2011 3:05 PM in response to den.thed

I thought I had solved the problem by buying a new card reader.
I plugged an SD card into it, and it stated to mount on the desk top.
Image capture launched, and i was quite hopeful it was working, until a pop up message appeared & said I had ejected the card improperly..... then nothing.
Now, the card reader seems to have been damaged, and is now no longer recognised anymore.
Apple, this is something for you to sort out, or tell us how to fix, and what readers to buy?
It seems i just waisted £20 on a now ruined reader.
Incidentally, I have never incorrectly ejected any devise from my computers.

Apr 23, 2011 3:37 PM in response to Kir4n

i am now having this problem with my Macbook Pro the first time i used the SD card slot was flawless but after that i can no longer get cards to mount. rebooting and/or inserting the card while it is powered down does not help as others have sugested. are there any known fixes for this issue?

Apr 29, 2011 9:27 PM in response to Kir4n

Please try blowing out the dust in your card reader before you do anything.

Mine constantly stops working on 3 of my macs and blowing hard into them fixes it.

Must get a dust build up on the contacts or something.

riffic59

Level 1

0 points

May 10, 2011 3:06 AM in response to Kir4n

Okay, I started having the same problem a few days ago. I exported some photos from iPhoto to an SDII card and properly ejected it from the built-in card reader in my 27" iMac. Since then it will only read cards if installed during boot-up. I read through this entire thread but could not remedy the problem. Then I remembered something about firewire & other port problems that can only be fixed by shutting the computer down and unplugging it from the wall outlet. I did this and waited 30 sec before plugging it back in and now it mounts the cards whenever I insert them. I don't recall the explanation but I think it's related to whatever replaced the Cuda chip and I will find out and post the answer here soon.

May 11, 2011 10:03 AM in response to riffic59

riffic59 wrote:

I did this and waited 30 sec before plugging it back in and now it mounts the cards whenever I insert them.

Hm, I have this problem still here.

The SD card only recognise on my iMac when I reboot with plug in SC card.

When I remove the memory card and plug in again, the card doesn't recognise. 😟

riffic59

Level 1

0 points

May 16, 2011 4:39 PM in response to Bernd Maedicke

Did you unplug the computer power cord from the wall outlet as I said in my post?

May 23, 2011 7:38 AM in response to Kir4n

This is what worked for me:

Shut down your mac

Press the on button and quickly press and hold Cmd, Alt, R, P, keys wait for the mac to chime 3 times then release the keys, it will chime a 4th time and start and your sd card slot should work again now.

SD card reader not working on iMac