SD Card Slot READ ONLY mode.

Question

SD Card Slot READ ONLY mode.

I have this problem.
My SD Card Slots it's in READ ONLY MODE.
I already use the SD cards in this computer without a problem, they we're always read/write. Not anymore since a month. (I think from the last software update, but I'm not sure of this).

Someday, without notice, all these cards are read only on my macbook pro.

I don't have this problem with my G5. I can read/write on these SD cards. Of course, all of them are unblocked.

I tried in several formats (formatting the cards with my G5). Same results.
My Macbook Pro 13 (last edition so far, I brought it on November 2010).

I read is probably A Snow Leopard 10.6.6 problem.
So I reinstalled the system without updating the computer, but the problem is the same.

ANY SOLUTIONS?

Message was edited by: Daniel_Italia

MacBook Pro 13, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Feb 23, 2011 3:38 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 24, 2011 9:47 PM in response to Daniel_Italia

It's likely a hardware issue and not a software issue.

First steps are reboot, reset SMC, reset NVRAM.
Then perhaps try re-applying the 10.6.6 combo update.

If you have a Apple Store close by - the genius bar would be a great place to get it tested / possbly repaired if it's the slot that has failed.

Have you tried any/all of these?

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Answer 2

Feb 25, 2011 7:09 AM in response to Michael Bradshaw

MAC Combo 10.6.6 updated.
PRAM & NVRAM reset.

Same issue.

I didn't try with SMC resetting.
Is it safe?, I didn't do it because I'm working and I need the computer by the moment.

I forgot to mention. This computer has a new logic board. I don't think in a HW problem. The Apple Service confirm this (according to them 🙂 ).

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Answer 3

Feb 25, 2011 10:31 AM in response to Daniel_Italia

"If it is a HW problem you could not read from it" the phrase from Apple Center.

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Answer 4

Feb 25, 2011 10:08 PM in response to Daniel_Italia

I have the same problem. I was able to format my SD card a couple times the other night. Now, no matter what I do it's set at read only when it's inserted. I have 2 different cards I'm using with the same issue with both.

One (the card I was using in the description above) is a Kingston 16Gig SDHC. The other one is a 8Gig SanDisk SDHC. Both have the toggle for lock on them. Regardless of how that's set it's read only.

I have an appointment at the Genius bar tomorrow. So they can look at it..

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Answer 5

Feb 26, 2011 7:10 AM in response to skygremlin

Can you please ask about the reseting SMC?.
BTW. I can read and write on my power PC without a problem. Obviously I use a card reader. No problems with that.
I already format an SD with the G5 as Mac Os and nothing. The Macbook Pro still read only on SD cards and I tried with normal ones and SDHC. Sandisk, Kingston, ecc.

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Answer 6

Feb 26, 2011 9:36 AM in response to Daniel_Italia

Yeah I have a usb card reader too and both cards are read / write when plugged into that.. And work fine.

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Answer 7

Feb 26, 2011 10:20 PM in response to skygremlin

Went to the Apple store today. I opened up my MBP the SD card worked perfect, no issues.. I couldn't believe it. But after we (me and the tech) removed the card a few times / formated it. It stopped working and started setting it for read only, and we couldn't get it back to read / write. IE same issue as we were posting.

The tech spoke to his lead technician, which both said they have never heard of this, but decided that the motherboard is defective and needs to be replaced. So I left it there for them to replace it. Price, if out of warrenty, was 650.00. Can't remember if that included labor. I have AppleCare (which they didn't have on record) so free for me. Glad I paid the 350 when I bought the laptop.

Overall I waited an extra 15 minutes before being seen. A little annoyed about that. But the tech was very nice, professional, and helpful. I did ask about the SMC, but we were talking about a couple of things and that kind of got lost in the shuffle and I completely forgot.... Sorry I had "I am Number 4" on my mind as we were planning on seeing that next.

Will update as soon as I get it back

Message was edited by: skygremlin

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Answer 8

Feb 27, 2011 2:35 AM in response to skygremlin

It seems very very strange and a loot "windows pc style"... 🙂 I'm still thinking is a firmware/software problem. But if you say that Apple Center changes the motherboard this will tell us (a lot of people) that there is a problem on a lot of Logic Boards.
I will return to my apple center to change (for the second time) the logic board because a SD card reader.

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Answer 9

Mar 8, 2011 10:17 PM in response to Daniel_Italia

Picked up my MBP last weekend - tested it before I left with 2 different cards (My cards that were not working before) had no issues. I just coped a roughly 4.5 Gig VM to the SD card and am using it as a VM with no issues..

Hope that helps.

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Answer 10

Mar 9, 2011 1:36 AM in response to Daniel_Italia

Well. It seems a Logic Board problem. I went to the Apple Service and they will change the Logic Board (FOR THE SECOND TIME

) because this problem. I repeat, Apple now is more like PC's. GRRRR... Anyway. The technician an me thinks that this is a firmware problem, anyway, my MBP is on guarantee, so let's change this logic board for free. 🙂

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Answer 11

Mar 9, 2011 1:40 AM in response to Daniel_Italia

Well. I spoke with Apple Service and they will change the Logic Board (for the second time

). I'm still thinking is a firmware problem. Someone on Apple made a mistake IMHO. But I'm not a technician, so... let's change this logic for free, my MBP is still on warranty. Let's make spend money to them.

For everyone that read this thread... don't try anything like resetting NVRAM, PRAM, SMC or tricks like "insert the card in this way"... go an Apple Services, and change the logic board (obviously if you are on warranty time).

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Answer 12

Ravichri

Level 1

0 points

Apr 7, 2011 12:02 PM in response to Daniel_Italia

Today I had this same issue with two different SD sandisk SD cards.

This worked for me: Blow air into the slot. I used an air blower for camera lenses.

Maybe its just some dust blocking the lock detection? I'm glad I don't need to have my mobo replaced ...

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Answer 13

Apr 24, 2011 12:26 PM in response to Ravichri

Today, an Apple Service change the Logic Board because this SD card slot problem.

It seems to be the only way, according them. Of course, if was anly the dust... well, it is not my problem 🙂 They change it for free because the warranty. 🙂

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Answer 14

VaughnSC

Level 1

0 points

Aug 8, 2012 10:25 AM in response to Ravichri

Blow in the slot FTW. Worked for me.

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Answer 15

Jacken

Level 1

4 points

Nov 2, 2012 6:31 PM in response to Daniel_Italia

There's a lot of Macbook Pro machines that has this problem. It's the sensor for the write protect switch on the card. But there is an easy solution. Just set the write protection switch to about the middle position and now your Macbook Pro should be able to read the cards. Works for me with a Macbook Pro mid 2010.

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