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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

Reply
203 replies

Aug 18, 2018 1:03 PM in response to Kir4n

I see this did not get fixed in 10.6.6. Upgraded yesterday and still having issues. I am now starting to agree with some here and say this is a hardware issue. Going to check into that switch now after my backup finishes and report here to see if it works.

Jun 13, 2010 2:49 AM in response to Kir4n

Hello everybody... I am experiencing the same issue with a built in SD card reader into my i7.

It always worked fine but started just yesterday not to detect SD cards... two different and that could be seen by my HP laptop 😟

I have restarted the iMac 2-3 time but did not help... just this morning it has worked after first startup with one of the two cards I mentioned... with the second no way.

I am a first time Apple user so not too experienced... any advice on what I could check/do from a SW standpoint before I look for the guarantee (hopefully I can get it fixed without Apple Care having this iMac for about 6 months now)...

Thanks in advance for your advice!!!

Jun 16, 2010 1:29 AM in response to Kir4n

No update yet
Reboots not working (aside from rebooting with card inserted)
I will try to visit local Apple store today/tomorrow to get advice.
Don't understand how it can be a hardware issue if the card reads fine when booted up, but just fails to mount at other times.. but if they insist in me bringing it into the store, I guess I'll have to do that.

Will update with their advice.

Jun 16, 2010 1:57 AM in response to Kir4n

I have exactly the same issue and share the thinking that it needs to be a software issue.
Only add is that it happens randomly that card gets recognized also when reboot is not done with card inserted... but feels like a sort of lottery.

I did not have the chance to talk with assistance yet (I live in a different country than the one where I have purchased it), so I am eager to hear what you will be told to do by the store you are visiting.

Thanks for sharing and have a great day!

Jun 16, 2010 5:02 AM in response to Kir4n

This may not apply to many people here, but it got me for a few minutes so I thought I'd share:

Virtual Machine software (eg Parallels, VMware, Virtual Box) may tag USB devices (such as the card reader, which is internally on the USB bus) as "for the virtual machine" and thereby hide them from the host OSX.

You can change that using your VM software settings, or the "usb" icon on the running virtual machine window.

Jun 16, 2010 2:33 PM in response to Kir4n

Very frustrating!
There is no way to contact Apple. I am outside of 90 Days, so without paying for extended Apple Care I can not call and there is no E-mail address (despite being advise to E-mail in the store)
Need to get a Apple Genius appointment and the earliest I can get one is 23rd June!!
Really do not want to carry iMac all the way to store for a software fault - but looks like I have little choice...It's that or pay for Apple Care so I can call someone (which I am tempted to do)

Would welcome any advice or help if there is another way to get a response from Apple without the long wait.

Or if someone else that's got this problem has managed to solve it.

K

SD card reader not working on iMac

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