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Author Topic: My SD card is stuck in the CD slot  (Read 17387 times)

Offline Gary S

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My SD card is stuck in the CD slot
« on: August 12, 2016, 11:20:29 AM »
Hello friends.

I was taking a lot of pictures and mistakenly slid my SD card from my camera into the CD slot on my 26" 2011 iMac.

When I put a CD in it bogs down and makes funny noises and won't mount on the Desktop, but I can get the CD out by hitting eject.

Any suggestions? I'm sure kids put all kinds of stuff in there from time to time but I'm not having any luck.

TIA
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Gary S

Offline Jack W

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My SD card is stuck in the CD slot
« Reply #1 on: August 12, 2016, 12:44:55 PM »
I've done that nasty a couple of times myself.

The only way I've been able to get the sd card out was to turn the iMac on its side and shake it.

Not easy, and may not work if its jammed in the mechanism in there.

Good luck,

Jack

Edited to add:

you may need the help of a thin knife.

Or take the computer to a friendly Apple store.
« Last Edit: August 12, 2016, 12:46:31 PM by Jack W »
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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My SD card is stuck in the CD slot
« Reply #2 on: August 12, 2016, 12:46:33 PM »
QUOTE
I can get the CD out by hitting eject.
At least there's some good news! The only fool-proof method I've ever heard of (without dismantling the machine) involves the use of gravity. Assuming you have some of that around the house, the 'trick' is to get the CD drive in a vertical orientation (perpendicular to the floor) and the opening at the bottom, preferably with that edge parallel to the floor. Depending on the weight of the Mac and your strength, a bit of shaking usually dislodges the card and allows gravity to pull it toward the center of the Earth. It will probably help to have two people in this attempt: the stronger holding the Mac, the second providing some 'percussive maintenance' to help dislodge the card. CAUTION: The 'percussive' application must be coordinated with the person holding the Mac and it should never be strong enough to dislodge the Mac from the holders grasp!!

CAUTION: Some will suggest using a thin knife. DO NOT ALLOW the 'percussive' applicator to handle the knife! nono.gif

The actual solution requires an application of Day-Glo orange duct tape over the CD slot. thumbup.gif
« Last Edit: August 12, 2016, 12:51:19 PM by Xairbusdriver »
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Offline kimmer

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My SD card is stuck in the CD slot
« Reply #3 on: August 12, 2016, 03:18:50 PM »
QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Aug 12 2016, 09:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The actual solution requires an application of Day-Glo orange duct tape over the CD slot. thumbup.gif

I was thinking freshly chewed bubble gum on the end of a thin wire. tease.gif





(I'm not serious, just in case someone thinks I am)
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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My SD card is stuck in the CD slot
« Reply #4 on: August 12, 2016, 03:31:34 PM »
QUOTE
I'm not serious, just in case someone thinks I am
What, on earth, makes you think that anyone would even consider that as a possibility?!!!! rolleyes.gif Anyone would know that if you were serious, you'd have suggested a thick wire with the gum aged to perfection thus gaining the prerequisite adhesion properties! The "thin wire" method usually ends up with not only the card, but the gum inside the CD drive!

BTW, did you install those child-proof covers on your electrical outlets? Very small "guests" love to stick things in there! Thinking.gif
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Offline kimmer

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My SD card is stuck in the CD slot
« Reply #5 on: August 12, 2016, 04:09:37 PM »
QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Aug 12 2016, 12:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
BTW, did you install those child-proof covers on your electrical outlets? Very small "guests" love to stick things in there! Thinking.gif

No. Mom and Dad opted to not bring the little sticky fingers inside my house, and there were covers on the outlets at their rental home. Plus most of the time we were off playing tourist. I'm totally worn out, but I miss hearing "Grandma Kim" and all the hugs and kisses.  tears.gif
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Offline Gary S

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My SD card is stuck in the CD slot
« Reply #6 on: August 12, 2016, 06:34:54 PM »
Thanks guys.

I tried a knife. I'm going to try Jack and XABD's gravity solution. I'll let you know how it turns out.

I called the nearest Apple service center and they told me to bring it in.

The last time I walked into that place they had to replace the (special Panisonic) Hard Drive and it cost me about $500.00, can't remember exactly. She told me not to use a knife, that I may damage the HD that's
in the middle of the computer-what a line......

GRAVITY is the ticket, a lot cheaper.
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Offline gunug

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My SD card is stuck in the CD slot
« Reply #7 on: August 12, 2016, 06:37:22 PM »
We've had to dismantle it to get it out (this happens all the time) but we have had some luck with using two long steel picks used like chopsticks in a pincer movement! It seems harder to get them out because the kids seem to do it on purpose ("Oh, I lost the pictures for my project so I can't turn it in!")

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Offline Paddy

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My SD card is stuck in the CD slot
« Reply #8 on: August 13, 2016, 08:00:29 AM »
Have you tried shining a flashlight in to see if you can actually SEE the card? If you can see it, I'd suggest a bit of double sided tape on a plastic takeout knife - they're a bit flexible, which may come in handy. If you can't see it and the gravity method doesn't work, then you'll likely have to take it in, unless you're ok with trying to take it apart. It's not horribly difficult - just a little scary. We took my son's 21" iMac apart and replaced the HD in it. You don't need special suction cups to get the screen off - we used one from a shower squeegee. I've heard of people using toilet plungers too, though that seems like too much suction. Detailed directions with pics can be found on http://ifixit.com

No way that CD drive should be $500 BTW - if you need to replace it you should be able to find one on eBay. Or just buy an external for under $100 if you really do feel you need it. Me? I'd try operating without one - I didn't use mine in my Mac Pro for close to 2 years and don't miss it now that I have none in either my new(er) 27" iMac or my MBP.
« Last Edit: August 13, 2016, 08:01:15 AM by Paddy »
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Offline Gary S

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My SD card is stuck in the CD slot
« Reply #9 on: August 13, 2016, 11:05:02 AM »
Hi Paddy.

First of all, I can't see into the optical CD slot because of the fuzzy material they use to keep the dust out. I wish I could see in there!

I haven't tried to do the gravity shake yet, my wife Colette is recovering from a broken arm and doesn't want to help and I don't blame her.

The plastic knife and double sided tape is an option that I will try today.

On the other hand, I really don't need it. about the only thing I use it for is putting CDs in to add to my iTunes. I haven't needed to use the latest DiskWarrior, which I have but is kind of unnecessary

with today's 10.11.6.  

Thanks
« Last Edit: August 13, 2016, 11:09:42 AM by Gary S »
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Gary S

Offline Xairbusdriver

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My SD card is stuck in the CD slot
« Reply #10 on: August 13, 2016, 12:03:14 PM »
You can put DW on a fairly large USB stick/drive. A faster method would be to install it on an external bootable drive.

I don't blame your wife for not wanting to hold the machine (which one is it, the iMac, I assume). But she could apply some of the palm hits that might be needed to shake the card lose while you hold the machine. Since that drive has the fuzzy, anti-dust 'skirt', your wife might also need to use a thin blade device to hold create a 'fuzz-free' zone for the card to exit. thumbup.gif

If you truly don't need the CD drive, my duct tape recommendation is even more important! yes.gif
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Offline Gary S

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My SD card is stuck in the CD slot
« Reply #11 on: August 14, 2016, 06:47:21 PM »
I got the card out using Paddy's method.

The CD player is not working afterwords. Oh well...

You can put DW on a fairly large USB stick/drive. Now that you mention it, that's what DW sent me. It's on a stick and I'm not in a hurry.
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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My SD card is stuck in the CD slot
« Reply #12 on: August 14, 2016, 06:55:39 PM »
Congrats and thanks for reporting back! salute.gif
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Offline Gary S

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My SD card is stuck in the CD slot
« Reply #13 on: August 15, 2016, 10:49:22 AM »
You are so welcome! As always, thanks for the tips.
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Offline gunug

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My SD card is stuck in the CD slot
« Reply #14 on: August 16, 2016, 09:32:18 AM »
Gary, are you going to post a video of the correct procedure that worked for you?  Devilish2.gif
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