USB card reader not recognized on new Intel Mac! Suggestions?

Syncopator · #1 November 30th, 2006, 03:05 PM

I'm a very experienced user and own several Macs. I just replaced my PowerBook G4 with a new MacBook Pro (MBP). I used Migration Assistant to copy all files and settings and was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked.

But the MBP doesn't recognize my USB compact flash card reader when inserted. The driver is definitely in place -- but for good measure, I downloaded and installed a fresh copy from the manufacturer -- but still: no go. The LED lights up -- so it's getting power -- but the drive never mounts. Yet, when I plug it into an older PowerBook (also running Tiger), it works fine.

Is this possibly an Intel-compatibility issue? I know that applications had to be updated, but I hadn't heard that drivers like this were affected. The manufacturer (Delkin) hasn't updated the driver for 2 or 3 years, but there are various ways to interpret that (could be the drivers don't need updating, or could be negligence).

Any suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

Thanks.

eric2006 · #2 November 30th, 2006, 08:59 PM

I'd say that the intel system is causing problems. Programs can run under Rosetta, but Rosetta won't run those background system type things if they're PPC. You'll need to use card reader with universal drivers, install bootcamp, or use a PPC mac.

DeltaMac · #3 November 30th, 2006, 09:22 PM

I think it's unlikely that you have a driver issue.
You can check in the System Profiler/USB tab. You should see the card reader as some kind of USB device. Disconnect any other USB devices, and click Refresh from the View menu. If the card reader is not listed, you may have a power problem with the USB ports, not unknown on the MBPro with various types of devices, both USB and FireWire. If you have an external powered USB hub, you could try that. Might help. If you need better portability, you may need to try a different brand of card reader.

Syncopator · #4 December 1st, 2006, 12:47 AM

It was the driver. A reattempt to mount that drive (CF card) produced an error message, stating that "this extension cannot be used... Please reinstall or check for an update from the developer."

In the meantime, I just bought a newer multi-card reader, plugged it in, and it just worked, right out of the box.

Thanks again....

pres · #5 January 20th, 2007, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syncopator

In the meantime, I just bought a newer multi-card reader, plugged it in, and it just worked, right out of the box.

I'd like to not throw more money at a multi-card reader beyond the one I've used for
about 2 years. It was fine on a Mac OS 8 (or 9) system, but Lexar has completely abandoned
that model.

Anyone know of "adaptable" USB drivers that have a reputation for working with old Lexar
devices? (I'll supply more details if wanted)

Syncopator · #6 January 20th, 2007, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pres

I'd like to not throw more money at a multi-card reader beyond the one I've used for
about 2 years. It was fine on a Mac OS 8 (or 9) system, but Lexar has completely abandoned
that model.

Anyone know of "adaptable" USB drivers that have a reputation for working with old Lexar
devices? (I'll supply more details if wanted)

This probably isn't the answer you want, but the new multi-reader i bought was like $20. You'll spend more than the equivalent of that much in time, searching for drivers. IMHO, at that price, it's so much easier to just buy a new reader and move on. :-)