Media card readers require fix to read SD cards

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Level 1

16 points

Media card readers require fix to read SD cards

I have an iMac (24-inch Mid 2007). It "natively" runs 10.8.5 and I try newer OS's via an external HDD so I won't break things that my family depends upon and are working for the most part with 10.8.5. The most recent ability that I’ve learned that 10.11.1 can’t do anymore is read SD media cards (the last capability I've discovered that no longer works correctly in 10.11.1 is Spotlight can't seem to handle large number of items as a search filter). So, I tried two different media card readers with both 10.11.1 and 10.8.5 using the same computer, cable, SD media card and CF media card. Using 10.8.5, the card readers can read both SD and CF in both card readers. Using 10.11.1, the card readers can read the CF card but not the SD card.

So does anyone know how I will be able to read SD media cards if I upgrade the family iMac (24-inch Mid 2007) to 10.11.X or will I need to have an external HDD with 10.8.5 loaded to get that functionality?

TIA.

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5), NTFS

Posted on Nov 7, 2015 3:45 PM

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Answer 1

Barney-15E

Level 10

112,584 points

Nov 7, 2015 4:01 PM in response to barubin

I've got a little Transcend USB SD/Micro SD/MMC card reader that works without issue.

The built-in media card slot works without problem.

I've got a Lexar SD card reader that no longer works, but I don't know if it ever worked in Yosemite or Mavericks.

I've got an even older MediaGear xD card reader that works without issue.

My CF card readers never worked past about Snow Leopard, so they've been gone for quite some time.

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Answer 2

a brody

Level 10

82,931 points

Nov 7, 2015 4:04 PM in response to barubin

NTFS? Maybe that is the source of your problem. NTFS is generally not a boot operating system without special add on software. Is your Mac formatted NTFS?

http://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3003

- explains more.

Also you can always partition your Mac to have 10.8.5 on one partition while having 10.11 on the other.

Card readers compatibility varies also based on who makes them. SansDisk is pretty good at making Mac compatible card readers and so are many multifunction printers able to do card reading. You might want to check with SansDisk if there is a particular model known to work with 10.11 or if there is a firmware update to enable it.

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Answer 3

barubin Author

Level 1

16 points

Nov 7, 2015 6:29 PM in response to Barney-15E

Barney-15E,

I haven't tried ALL of my media card readers, just the two I had handy.

I don't know at which version of OS X this capability broke. It is broken now.

I assume that somewhere in the OS there is the driver/capability to read SD media since quite a few Mac computers that Apple is selling today, Mini's, iMac's, & laptops ship with a SD slot.

I guess I should consider myself lucky since at least two of my media card readers can still read CF cards with 10.11.1 while you don't have that ability with your present readers. The two I used for my test were the Uniden 43-in-1 Card Reader and the Digital Concepts 6 SLOTS HI SPEED 51-IN-1 CARD READER/WRITER.

Maybe you can find one on eBay.

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Answer 4

barubin Author

Level 1

16 points

Nov 7, 2015 8:06 PM in response to a brody

a brody,

The iMac was never formatted NTFS. I don't even think you can install any flavor of OS X on a HDD formatted NTFS.

NTFS was removed from OS X 10.8.5 a couple of years ago. That said, it would be very weird if the NTFS drivers were the reason that 10.8.5 can read SD cards while 10.11.1 can't. I will edit that profile so it doesn't cause confusion in the future.

I don't know if there are any firmware updates for any media card readers.

When I did a search for any drivers for either of my card readers I found another discussion article that someone this past April was able to use a Digital Concepts 6 SLOTS HI SPEED 51-IN-1 CARD READER/WRITER to read his SD card so while author of the article didn't mention the OS version he was using, back in April 2015 I doubt that he was using 10.11 and if he was then it was a beta.

photos will not allow my easyshare to import. it says it does not recognise the format. i had no problem with the camera when using iPhoto. how can i diable photos and get bact to using iPhoto?

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Answer 5

Nov 8, 2015 9:44 PM in response to barubin

I think it is an El Capitan problem - since I installed El Cap my built in card reader won't work - nor does the usb one - I am trying cards that have worked perfectly previously

I have seen several other threads suggesting PRAM and SMC resets which seem to have worked for some and not for others

even just pulling it does not give an "not ejected properly" message

all cards load perfectly on my Mac Book Pro using Yosemite

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Answer 6

Nov 8, 2015 9:48 PM in response to smartabrett

I spoke too soo - they're not working ion Yosemite either

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Answer 7

barubin Author

Level 1

16 points

Nov 9, 2015 7:22 PM in response to smartabrett

smartabrett,

Thanks for both your responses. I presently don't have Yosemite installed on any of my HDDs to test my readers (I use to have it on the same HDD that I now have El Capitan). I guess that is something I can try and report back but in the mean time, I agree with you that this is an El Capitan issue and that Apple broke something sometime after 10.8.5 that makes our media card readers no longer function with SD media.

I don't think merits a call to Ghost Busters about this but do you know where this bad behavior can/should be reported to Apple? TIA.

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