iMac can't read pictures off DSLR SD Card, MacBook reads them without problem

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zblom Author

Level 1

11 points

iMac can't read pictures off DSLR SD Card, MacBook reads them without problem

Good day, looking for any help.

iMac: iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019) running macOS v11.2.3

SD Card: Brand new Lexar Professional 2000x 32GB SDHC UHS-II Card (LSD32GCBNA2000R)

MacBook Air: (13-inch, Early 2014) running macOS v11.2.3

My iMac will read the SD card, but can't read the pictures on the card. (my MacBook Air reads the pictures from the SD card running the same macOS)

The Photos app reads the card but does not show any of the .jpg files on the card. (card looks empty)

If I try to copy the .jpg file from the SD card through Finder this is the error I get:

"The Finder can’t complete the operation because some data in “_MG_2826.JPG” can’t be read or written. (Error code -36)"

It does ultimately copy a file, and on the Desktop Icon the full image is there but if I open it, preview it or import it to Photos from there it looks like it does in the finder window thumbnail view below (see image).

Not sure it matters but if I enlarge the desktop icons any bigger than 108 x 108 the desktop icon also looks like the above image does in the finder window thumbnail.

I have tried restarting everything. I have used a different SD card with the same results. I have reformatted the SD card multiple times. All yield the same result. This started happening with my previous SD card that I had been using for years, prompting me to buy the new SD card (assuming the SD card was the problem). Turns out it was not the SD card and is something with the iMac. I can't specifically link it with a macOS update but that seems like a possibility.

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Apr 5, 2021 12:06 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 8, 2021 6:29 AM in response to zblom

The only thing to conclude is that your SD card reader is bad.

Buy an external reader and try it.

When you say you reset everything does that include the SMC?

Sometimes you have to do it several times.

How to reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 2

rkaufmann87

Level 10

143,940 points

Apr 5, 2021 12:33 PM in response to zblom

Please use the steps in Safe Mode Reset instructions

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Answer 3

zblom Author

Level 1

11 points

Apr 7, 2021 4:54 AM in response to rkaufmann87

Good morning, thank you. The SD Card will not mount in Safe Mode. The card reader can see it, it is visible but dimmed out in Disk Utility (while in Safe Mode) but will not mount it. This is exactly the same with the SD card on the MacBook Air I referenced in the original post which can read the files off the SD card without problem.

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Answer 4

Apr 7, 2021 6:47 AM in response to zblom

I suggest you get all the images off the card, reformat it in the camera, and try again. Obviously, something is wonky.

Also, you could buy a new card and see if the same thing happens.

Is this a full size card, or microcard with adapter?

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Answer 5

zblom Author

Level 1

11 points

Apr 7, 2021 7:45 PM in response to Keith Barkley

Thanks, I had all the same thoughts. It's a full sized card. I know I wrote a long post, but in the bottom you'll see I did exactly what you suggest. This started with my previous card that I'd been using for years without issue, including since I bought this iMac last year. I tried reformatting that one, didn't help. I bought this new card, tried it, same result, reformatted it multiple times, same result.

Thanks for posting, open to any ideas.

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iMac can't read pictures off DSLR SD Card, MacBook reads them without problem

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