Other SD format option than disk utility?

Discussion in 'MacBook Pro' started by tpcollins, Oct 28, 2014.

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  1. tpcollins, Oct 28, 2014

    tpcollins macrumors member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2012
    #1
    I'm still having problems with my Macbook Pro reading the SD cards from 3 different brands of game trail cams. Before when I uploaded pics on my old Dell laptop, I never had a problem - only with the Macbook that I've had for 2 years.

    I have over a dozen SD cards that will not read on the Macbook nor in any of the trail cams. The disk utility on the Mac will not format them and they're no good.

    Is there a program that I can download - and even pay for - that will work better than the hassle I have now? Thanks.
     
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  2. Bending Pixels, Oct 28, 2014

    Bending Pixels macrumors 65816

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    Jul 22, 2010
    #2
    Do these cams use a different file format or....? The only time I've had an issue with reading a SD card is when the card itself goes bad (which does happen).
     
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  3. tumas, Oct 28, 2014

    tumas macrumors member

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    Oct 21, 2014
    #3
    You can try to use the terminal and diskutil.
    In order to erase and format any usb drive or sd card, the following commands should work:

    diskutil list (this will show you all your disks and partitions)
    If you have a standard installation and only an SSD installed, the sd card probably will be labeled as /dev/disk2)

    Erase the sd card (disk 2 ?!), name it "newdisk" and format it as JHFS+ (=Mac OS Extended (Journaled)):
    diskutil eraseDisk JHFS+ newdisk /dev/disk2

    Make sure to use the right disk, because this is going to erase the whole drive.

    For more information have a look at http://www.theinstructional.com/guides/disk-management-from-the-command-line-part-1
     
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  4. tpcollins, Oct 28, 2014
    Last edited: Oct 28, 2014

    tpcollins thread starter macrumors member

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    Sep 17, 2012
    #4
    Thanks tunas, I was able to save one SD card, and the other 12 are dead I guess. Thanks.

    I think from now on I use my old Dell.
     
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  5. tpcollins, Nov 3, 2014

    tpcollins thread starter macrumors member

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    Sep 17, 2012
    #5
    Update:

    I made an appointment at the Apple store near me and after a bit of checking, the service guy concluded my SD reader was bad. Being out of warranty and requiring a large board to be replaced it was going to run about $300 for the repair. He suggested just getting a card reader that plugs into the USB. Stopped at Best Buy and for $15, I got one the reads SD and Pro Duo for my Sony cam.

    And I was able to salvaged 10 of the 13 "bad" SD cards I had. I'm good.
     
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