Show files on SD card

[jjk454ss]

I have a Sandisk 1 GB SD Card that OSX will not show me the files on. I tried this terminal command:

defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles YES

In Disk Utility it says there are files in it, and that it is formatted MS-Dos(FAT16).

How can I see what is on it? I think it might have pics that I need to save, but I don't have another computer to try it on.

 

[MisterMe]

I have a Sandisk 1 GB SD Card that OSX will not show me the files on. I tried this terminal command:

defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles YES

In Disk Utility it says there are files in it, and that it is formatted MS-Dos(FAT16).

How can I see what is on it? I think it might have pics that I need to save, but I don't have another computer to try it on.

Macs don't feature built-in card readers. What are you using to read the card?

 

[jjk454ss]

Macs don't feature built-in card readers. What are you using to read the card?

It's a Sandisk MobileMate SD+, I have used it on my Macbook before. It may have been my last Macbook though. But it was OS X.

 

[Jethryn Freyman]

Use terminal to navigate to the card and type "ls -an". That will list all files, visible or not. You'll be able to use the UNIX copy command "cp" to copy.

 

[arjen92]

maybe you need the right software to reed it. Just like you need for example "ntfs for mac os x" to read ntfs hard drives. Mac os x can read FAT 32 but I've never heard of FAT 16.

 

[5855997]

my Bet is also on the FAT16.

I have an Sandisc SDHC card, I am using a Sandisk Micromate (I think very similar to your reader) but my card it FAT32 formatted. And it's working great.

Because I am not a pro in the terminal, I don't know how to help.

But: I would suggest to copy your data to a windows computer/partition. Then reformatting to FAT32. And then look if it still works with your camera AND on your Mac.

Was your SD card shipping with FAT16 or could it be that your camera has formatted it that way? (both are kinda strange because FAT16 got outdated 1997 with FAT32. But it seems some sticks/cards still come as FAT16)

 

[Jethryn Freyman]

maybe you need the right software to reed it. Just like you need for example "ntfs for mac os x" to read ntfs hard drives. Mac os x can read FAT 32 but I've never heard of FAT 16.

No, OS X can read NTFS fine on its own. It just can't write to it without MacFUSE.

FAT 16/32 is handled fine.

 

[MisterMe]

It's a Sandisk MobileMate SD+, I have used it on my Macbook before. It may have been my last Macbook though. But it was OS X.

Your Mac requires additional hardware to read SD cards. What are you using to read the card?

 

[5855997]

Your Mac requires additional hardware to read SD cards. What are you using to read the card?

He already said he uses a MobileMate SD+. That's a USB card reader you plug in.

I have a similar (not exactly the same) one which just works fine. I don't think it's the reader.

 

[Jethryn Freyman]

The card reader is not the problem, I've got one and I can see files and find deleted files perfectly well.

 

[jjk454ss]

Sorry, I was gone all day yesterday, but thanks for all the replies. I found another Sandisk 1 GB card, and that works fine with the same card reader, and it shows as being formatted at FAT32.

The other card is one with built in USB, the SD card folds in half to expose the USB part. It doesn't work plugged directly in either, but the card does work in my camera, so the card appears to be good still. I remember now that I used the card as a flash drive basically, so whatever is on it is not pictures. But I would still like to see what is on it.

 

[Jethryn Freyman]

Sorry, I was gone all day yesterday, but thanks for all the replies. I found another Sandisk 1 GB card, and that works fine with the same card reader, and it shows as being formatted at FAT32.

The other card is one with built in USB, the SD card folds in half to expose the USB part. It doesn't work plugged directly in either, but the card does work in my camera, so the card appears to be good still. I remember now that I used the card as a flash drive basically, so whatever is on it is not pictures. But I would still like to see what is on it.

You could always try a data recovery utility on it like Testdisk. It's worked for me before.

 

[jjk454ss]

You could always try a data recovery utility on it like Testdisk. It's worked for me before.

I'm not convinced that something is wrong with the card though. I think I am just not able to read it with my Mac. I will try another computer tomorrow before I try data recovery. Thanks for the idea though.