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MacBook Pro won't read Sandisk SDHC cards since Lion 10.7.1 update

Hi all, just wondering if anyone else has had this problem. I know there are dozens of posts about SD cards not working with MacBook pros, but mine seems to have started when I installed the latest Lion update.


I have a high-end 13" early 2011 MBP and the cards I'm having trouble with are all Sandisk 4GB SDHC. Two are 'Extreme III's" and one is an Extreme II. The card reader is showing up in System Profiler, and a really old 2GB Sandisk card gets read fine, so there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the MBP hardware.


Similarly, I can read the cards fine via a USB adapter, so it's not the cards that are causing the problem.


I had successfully imported photos from the cards before upgrading to Lion, and also before installing the 10.7.1 update. So, it looks like the problem may be linked with the update, but this is purely an educated guess.


I've tried resetting the SMC to no avail.


Has anyone else experienced something like this?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7), 13" 2011

Posted on Aug 20, 2011 4:46 AM

Reply
127 replies

Jan 16, 2014 10:05 AM in response to paulsomething1

I have a new i7 iMac and this is my experience thus far using my Sandisk ImsgeMate All-in-One card reader while trying to read my 8GB Extreme III compact flash card:


The card mounts to the desk top as it should. When I try to download the images to a folder ( as I have a million times previously) it does so very, very slowly then the reader icon self-ejects followed by the following error:


User uploaded file


Then within 30 seconds or so, the reader icon will re-appear. Attempting to download the images ends with the same results.


I have tried using a 4GB card, but that card never even appears on the desktop.


This is EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING and one would think that Apple would drop in with some suggestions. The blame could also fall squarely on Sandisk's lack of driver support. Their Mac download page mentions some issues with Mtn. Lion, but if that is the best they can do then therein lies the problem.


I have no idea what the solution to this is. I wish I did.


Thoughts????

Feb 5, 2014 8:30 PM in response to aledco

I have had a similar experience, thankfully I have found a fix!


Problem: I force ejected my 8GB SanDisk SD card from the card reader slot on my 2010 MacBook Pro, the device drivers on the card have malfunctioned because I did so (as can apparently happen with any flash storage, USBs etc.) and now my computer will not recognise my SD memory card when I insert it. I tried downloading recovery software such as Remo Recover, and PhotoRec, and tried using the Disk Utility repair feature on the MacBook itself (found in system preferences/utilities on the dock, lower right hand side) but to no avail. Disk Utility gave me an error message saying the disk cannot be repaired. Other recovery software still can't get me my pictures, data etc. back.


Solution!: After many google searches, and trowelling through tonnes of forums/threads, I eventually came across a website (recoverfab.com) and as a last ditch effort, I sent my SD card overseas to Deutschland to hopefully try and salvage the last 5 years of my life in photographs. A week later I received some email correspondance saying that ALL of my 'unreadable' images and videos had been recovered!!! I still have to pay the fee, but my images are invaluable, it's just nice to know I can still get them back off of my otherwise stuffed memory card.


Clearly this is only going to help you if the problem is your actual flash memory card, though. At first, I immediately accused the card reader on my MBP of functioning incorrectly, when actually it wasn't my Mac's fault! Don't worry Apple, never doubted you for a second 😉 Lesson learned; don't put too much faith in flash storage! And BACK YOUR SHIZZ UP!!!!


recoverfab.com <----- Actually angels sent from heaven to run a website

Feb 8, 2014 2:28 PM in response to aledco

FYI, in December my mother in law got exactly the same mac as mine and the first thing I did was to use an SDHC card that was not working in my mac and put it on hers and IT WORKED ! So I took it to a Apple Store and I was able to claim the warranty on it, so they change the whole SD thingy and voilá. NOW IT'S WORKING!!!

I bought the mac originally through an aurthorized Apple retailer in Costa Rica (iCon) and I took my mac there when I saw that the SD slot was not working and they told me that that was normal!!! These retailer guys really didn't know what they are talking about!!! 😠

But now I am happy with the SD reader!!!😎

Feb 9, 2014 11:27 PM in response to InDaCarl

Before going to a data recovery app, try Disk Drill. I used it on several occasions recovering data for my less computer-literate friends, and it always worked pretty well (80-100% data recovered), especially on memory cards, like SD. Once Disk Drill even recovered photos from a card that was (kind of) formatted by the camera.

Jun 4, 2014 8:36 AM in response to willmow

Inserting a 32GB SDHD card, then backing it out a couple millimeters worked right away. Cracked me up it was that simple. Also, used a can of compressed air for blowing off electronic circuit boards to blow out the dust in the SD card reader. Works like a champ now! Isn't this what is called "operator headspace"? Thanks a LOT for the tips!

Jul 26, 2014 8:38 PM in response to aledco

I am frustrated with the same trouble as everyone else. I have Macbook pro (2009) OS X 10.6.8 trying to mount a SAMSUNG micro sd adapter. So its a full size sd card. But it won't read. I tried air, not pushing the sd card all the way but nothing is working. I have downloaded XQuartz not exactly sure what to do with that but its still not reading even with the latest X11. What's the deal? This is getting incredibly annoying. Please help anyone?

MacBook Pro won't read Sandisk SDHC cards since Lion 10.7.1 update

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