non-Pi card reder will not read SD card

[pwalden]

I have the inverse problem of the Pi that will not boot from an SD card. In this case my base station card reader can't see the partitions on a Pi formatted SD card.

I have a Fedora 19 laptop with a card reader that I use to backup my Pi SD cards periodically. It has been working fine for nearly a year.

I just went to back up one of my Pis. Basically I shutdown -h, and unplug the power. I remove the SD card and insert it into the laptop. The two partition icons pop up on the desktop and then I use dd to save off an image. This time no partition icons showed up. I could see the card as /dev/sdb, but using dd would only copy a 0 length image. Using udisks, same thing no partitions showing, just a generic 8GB disk.

I tried re-inserting the SD card several times to make sure it wasn't a socket problem.

So I thought, well I just blew out another SD card. However, when I replaced it in the Pi, it booted up just fine and appears to be running normally.

I inserted another SD card from a different Pi into the card reader and the two partition icons popped up on the desktop just fine.

Any ideas?

[redhawk]

Is your card reader SDHC compatible??

Richard S.

[pwalden]

It must be. It reads all my other cards and it read this same card about 2 months ago when I made a backup.

[pwalden]

I tried it again and the linux card reader still cannot see the two partitions, but the RPi boots fine off of the card.

tried running parted -l on it and got this report:

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Error: /dev/sdb: unrecognised disk label
Model: Generic Storage Device (scsi)                                      
Disk /dev/sdb: 8010MB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: unknown
Disk Flags: 

[DougieLawson]

What do you get from
sudo fdisk -l /dev/mmcblk0
on your RPi when it is booted from the wonky card?

[pwalden]

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pwalden@walden1 ~ $ sudo fdisk -l /dev/mmcblk0

Disk /dev/mmcblk0: 8010 MB, 8010072064 bytes
4 heads, 16 sectors/track, 244448 cylinders, total 15644672 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x0002c262

        Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/mmcblk0p1            8192      122879       57344    c  W95 FAT32 (LBA)
/dev/mmcblk0p2          122880    15644671     7760896   83  Linux

It also the two partitions. Which you would expect if it is booting.

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pwalden@walden1 ~ $ ls -l /dev/mmcblk0*
brw-rw---T 1 root floppy 179, 0 Dec 31  1969 /dev/mmcblk0
brw-rw---T 1 root floppy 179, 1 Dec 31  1969 /dev/mmcblk0p1
brw-rw---T 1 root floppy 179, 2 Apr 19 16:42 /dev/mmcblk0p2

[DougieLawson]

sudo fdisk NOT sudo fsck.

[pwalden]

sorry I spotted my error and edited the original.

[DougieLawson]

So we've got a good partition table (which has the normal 122880 sectors (less 8192) carved out for the FAT filesystem).

I'm completely befuddled why you can't read it on your Fedora Laptop, unless it's a case of it not appearing as /dev/sdb /dev/sdb1 and /dev/sdb2 when you mount it in the SDCard reader.

Next step is to look at dmesg on Fedora and look at what /dev files (magically) appear when you plug in the card.

[pwalden]

Here is an excerpt of dmesg output. The card is assigned to /dev/sdb. Which is the usual case. Usually it also creates /dev/sdb1 and /dev/sdb2 for the partitions.

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[ 2396.641182] usb 1-6: new high-speed USB device number 4 using ehci-pci
[ 2396.924085] usb 1-6: New USB device found, idVendor=048d, idProduct=1337
[ 2396.924095] usb 1-6: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
[ 2396.924101] usb 1-6: Product: Mass Storage Device
[ 2396.924107] usb 1-6: Manufacturer: Generic   
[ 2396.924112] usb 1-6: SerialNumber: 00000000000006
[ 2397.021822] usb-storage 1-6:1.0: USB Mass Storage device detected
[ 2397.023300] scsi4 : usb-storage 1-6:1.0
[ 2397.023645] usbcore: registered new interface driver usb-storage
[ 2398.830997] scsi 4:0:0:0: Direct-Access     Generic  Storage Device   0.00 PQ: 0 ANSI: 2
[ 2398.833384] sd 4:0:0:0: Attached scsi generic sg1 type 0
[ 2398.834474] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] 15644672 512-byte logical blocks: (8.01 GB/7.45 GiB)
[ 2398.835198] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] Write Protect is off
[ 2398.835212] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] Mode Sense: 03 00 00 00
[ 2398.835960] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] No Caching mode page found
[ 2398.835974] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] Assuming drive cache: write through
[ 2398.840455] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] No Caching mode page found
[ 2398.840471] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] Assuming drive cache: write through
[ 2398.891790] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] Unhandled sense code
[ 2398.891800] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb]  
[ 2398.891807] Result: hostbyte=DID_OK driverbyte=DRIVER_SENSE

After this it goes south:

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[ 2398.891813] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb]  
[ 2398.891818] Sense Key : Medium Error [current] 
[ 2398.891828] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb]  
[ 2398.891834] Add. Sense: Unrecovered read error
[ 2398.891842] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] CDB: 
[ 2398.891846] Read(10): 28 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 08 00
[ 2398.891867] end_request: critical medium error, dev sdb, sector 0
[ 2398.891876] Buffer I/O error on device sdb, logical block 0
[ 2398.943165] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] Unhandled sense code
[ 2398.943175] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb]  
[ 2398.943181] Result: hostbyte=DID_OK driverbyte=DRIVER_SENSE
[ 2398.943186] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb]  
[ 2398.943190] Sense Key : Medium Error [current] 
[ 2398.943198] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb]  
[ 2398.943203] Add. Sense: Unrecovered read error
[ 2398.943209] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] CDB: 
[ 2398.943213] Read(10): 28 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 08 00
[ 2398.943230] end_request: critical medium error, dev sdb, sector 0
[ 2398.943238] Buffer I/O error on device sdb, logical block 0
[ 2398.994576] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] Unhandled sense code
[ 2398.994595] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb]  
[ 2398.994600] Result: hostbyte=DID_OK driverbyte=DRIVER_SENSE
[ 2398.994605] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb]  
[ 2398.994610] Sense Key : Medium Error [current] 
[ 2398.994618] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb]  
[ 2398.994623] Add. Sense: Unrecovered read error
[ 2398.994629] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] CDB: 
[ 2398.994632] Read(10): 28 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 08 00
[ 2398.994650] end_request: critical medium error, dev sdb, sector 0
[ 2398.994658] Buffer I/O error on device sdb, logical block 0
[ 2399.045952] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] Unhandled sense code
[ 2399.045966] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb]  
[ 2399.045979] Result: hostbyte=DID_OK driverbyte=DRIVER_SENSE
[ 2399.045984] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb]  
[ 2399.045989] Sense Key : Medium Error [current] 
[ 2399.045996] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb]  
[ 2399.046002] Add. Sense: Unrecovered read error
...etc

I can seem to upload the full dmesg file...any suggestions? the forum keeps saying "The extension is not allowed." even when there is no filename extension.

[redhawk]

Try http://pastebin.com

Richard S.

[pwalden]

Full dmesg in pastebin: http://pastebin.com/QjbD4uc7

[DougieLawson]

When was your laptop last rebooted? Does it get better if you do that?

[pwalden]

No better as I essentially boot it up every time I post a new replay here. 3 time now.

And I just tried a different card from another Pi in this laptop's card reader and both sdb1 and sdb2 pop up just fine.

[pwalden]

Well problem worked-around.

I invested in a $10 card reader/writer. It works on the same laptop as the one with the above problem.

I double checked that prior problem had not disappeared. Still there.

So, I dunno. The reader with the problem works for every other card I have but this one. Any way I have a back up now.

[xsje]

Good morning

Im faced the same problem you posted, the error it's appearing to me is the following same as yours, please any help to apply in fedora(21) or windows (7) let me know. thanks in advance

[ 1510.115909] usb 2-1: USB disconnect, device number 3
Feb 9 14:17:14 localhost kernel: usb 2-1: USB disconnect, device number 3
Feb 9 14:17:14 localhost systemd-udevd: error opening USB device 'descriptors' file
Feb 9 14:17:29 localhost kernel: [ 1525.027890] usb 2-1: new high-speed USB device number 4 using ehci-pci
Feb 9 14:17:29 localhost kernel: usb 2-1: new high-speed USB device number 4 using ehci-pci
Feb 9 14:17:29 localhost kernel: [ 1525.148277] usb 2-1: New USB device found, idVendor=0930, idProduct=6545
Feb 9 14:17:29 localhost kernel: [ 1525.148295] usb 2-1: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
Feb 9 14:17:29 localhost kernel: [ 1525.148304] usb 2-1: Product: DT 101 G2
Feb 9 14:17:29 localhost kernel: [ 1525.148312] usb 2-1: Manufacturer: Kingston
Feb 9 14:17:29 localhost kernel: [ 1525.148320] usb 2-1: SerialNumber: 0018F3A9A358EB8134380115
Feb 9 14:17:29 localhost kernel: [ 1525.150380] usb-storage 2-1:1.0: USB Mass Storage device detected
Feb 9 14:17:29 localhost kernel: usb 2-1: New USB device found, idVendor=0930, idProduct=6545
Feb 9 14:17:29 localhost kernel: usb 2-1: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
Feb 9 14:17:29 localhost kernel: usb 2-1: Product: DT 101 G2
Feb 9 14:17:29 localhost kernel: usb 2-1: Manufacturer: Kingston
Feb 9 14:17:29 localhost kernel: [ 1525.154464] scsi host5: usb-storage 2-1:1.0
Feb 9 14:17:29 localhost kernel: usb 2-1: SerialNumber: 0018F3A9A358EB8134380115
Feb 9 14:17:29 localhost kernel: usb-storage 2-1:1.0: USB Mass Storage device detected
Feb 9 14:17:29 localhost kernel: scsi host5: usb-storage 2-1:1.0
Feb 9 14:17:29 localhost mtp-probe: checking bus 2, device 4: "/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:13.2/usb2/2-1"
Feb 9 14:17:29 localhost mtp-probe: bus: 2, device: 4 was not an MTP device
Feb 9 14:17:30 localhost kernel: [ 1526.235972] scsi 5:0:0:0: Direct-Access Kingston DT 101 G2 PMAP PQ: 0 ANSI: 0 CCS
Feb 9 14:17:30 localhost kernel: scsi 5:0:0:0: Direct-Access Kingston DT 101 G2 PMAP PQ: 0 ANSI: 0 CCS
Feb 9 14:17:30 localhost kernel: [ 1526.239706] sd 5:0:0:0: Attached scsi generic sg1 type 0
Feb 9 14:17:30 localhost kernel: sd 5:0:0:0: Attached scsi generic sg1 type 0
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.483293] sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb] 60978816 512-byte logical blocks: (31.2 GB/29.0 GiB)
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.484077] sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb] Write Protect is off
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb] 60978816 512-byte logical blocks: (31.2 GB/29.0 GiB)
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb] Write Protect is off
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.490803] sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb] No Caching mode page found
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.490819] sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb] Assuming drive cache: write through
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb] No Caching mode page found
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb] Assuming drive cache: write through
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.523114] sdb: sdb1
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: sdb: sdb1
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.527022] sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb] Attached SCSI removable disk

Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb] Attached SCSI removable disk
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.572495] sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb]

Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.572510] Result: hostbyte=DID_OK driverbyte=DRIVER_SENSE
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.572516] sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb]
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.572521] Sense Key : Medium Error [current]
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.572529] sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb]
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.572535] Add. Sense: Unrecovered read error
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.572540] sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb] CDB:
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.572543] Read(10): 28 00 03 a2 76 00 00 00 08 00
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.572559] end_request: critical medium error, dev sdb, sector 60978688
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.572569] Buffer I/O error on device sdb, logical block 7622336
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb]
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: Result: hostbyte=DID_OK driverbyte=DRIVER_SENSE
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb]
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: Sense Key : Medium Error [current]
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb]
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: Add. Sense: Unrecovered read error
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb] CDB:
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.580110] sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb]
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.580122] Result: hostbyte=DID_OK driverbyte=DRIVER_SENSE
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.580126] sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb]
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.580130] Sense Key : Not Ready [current]
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.580137] sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb]
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.580144] Add. Sense: Medium not present
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.580148] sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb] CDB:
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.580151] Read(10): 28 00 03 a2 76 00 00 00 08 00
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.580164] end_request: I/O error, dev sdb, sector 60978688
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.580172] Buffer I/O error on device sdb, logical block 7622336
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: Read(10): 28 00 03 a2 76 00 00 00 08 00
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: end_request: critical medium error, dev sdb, sector 60978688
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: Buffer I/O error on device sdb, logical block 7622336
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb]
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: Result: hostbyte=DID_OK driverbyte=DRIVER_SENSE
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb]
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: Sense Key : Not Ready [current]
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb]
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: Add. Sense: Medium not present
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: sd 5:0:0:0: [sdb] CDB:
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: Read(10): 28 00 03 a2 76 00 00 00 08 00
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: end_request: I/O error, dev sdb, sector 60978688
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: Buffer I/O error on device sdb, logical block 7622336
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: [ 1527.600643] sdb: detected capacity change from 31221153792 to 0
Feb 9 14:17:31 localhost kernel: sdb: detected capacity change from 31221153792 to 0
Feb 9 14:17:32 localhost systemd-udevd: error: /dev/sdb1: No such file or directory
Feb 9 14:17:32 localhost systemd-udevd: inotify_add_watch(7, /dev/sdb1, 10) failed: No such file or directory
Feb 9 14:17:32 localhost systemd-udevd: error: /dev/sdb: No medium found
Feb 9 14:17:32 localhost systemd-udevd: error: /dev/sdb: No medium found

[pwalden]

I never solved the problem. I ended up buying a new card reader that I plug into a USB port.

Do you have a different card reader you can try on your system?

[ksanger]

I had the same error message with my Raspberry Pi Raspbian micro SD card plugged into the micro SD slot of a USB Multi-Card Reader. Placing the micro SD card in a micro SD to SD adapter and using the SD slot in the USB Multi-Card Reader worked.

Hope that helps someone else having to run out and try a different USB adapter.

From Open Suse Leap 42.1 with micro SD card plugged into micro SD slot of USB Card Reader, dmseg reply was:

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R_SENSE
[   75.942830] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdd] Sense Key : Medium Error [current] 
[   75.942835] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdd] Add. Sense: Unrecovered read error
[   75.942840] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdd] CDB: Read(10) 28 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 08 00
[   75.942843] blk_update_request: critical medium error, dev sdd, sector 0
[   75.942848] Buffer I/O error on dev sdd, logical block 0, async page read
[   75.994180]  sdd: unable to read partition table
[   75.996803] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdd] Attached SCSI removable disk
[  100.910559] nf_conntrack: automatic helper assignment is deprecated and it will be removed soon. Use the iptables CT target to attach helpers instead.