m11x mmc/sdhc slot problem

So I've had my m11x for about 2 weeks after being in build purgatory since Feb. 3. This morning is the first time I tried to use the mmc slot with an SDHC card.

It won't go all the way in! I used a dummy card to apply a little pressure thinking maybe things were just tight, but it just didn't feel right. I could get it in, but it took too much pressure, and it didn't release with a click of the spring like I think it's supposed to. I then went and tried 4 different real SDHC cards and none of them would go into the slot very easily and none of them loaded up in Windows.

OK, so I know the standard answer is "call Dell"? But I'm curious if anyone else has experienced this and if maybe if there is fix I can do myself. I'm pretty handy and have no problem opening up the laptop. In fact I had to open it up once to fix the Gobi WAN card which came from the factory with one of the wires disconnected. While I was in there I removed an extra "bonus" screw someone had left to rattle around loose. So yeah, this laptop assembled and tested by the A-Team.

 

I've read several reviews stating that an annoying thing about this laptop is that they don't go all the way in! I will try to supply a link for you, but I'm fairly certain it's supposed to be as such

 

This is the source of your problems. It was never supposed to go all the way in lol. "Hopefully" you didn't break the card slot.... It goes in like only 2/3, with 1/3 sticking out. Worked for me fine that way.

 

@unreal25 - thanks for finally selling me on buying the m11x

 

Yep, I know it doesn't go in flush. When I said I got resistance it was about 1/2 in, and mild pressure gets it to the 2/3 point... but it still won't load.

 

I thought I had an issue with my card reader when I used it first also, but after leaving a card in for about 60 seconds it eventually loaded up and it's been working normally ever since. A bit confusing really...

 

I'm screwed. Looking into the slot with a flashlight I can see that it's mounted crooked. At a minimum it's stopping the card for going in correctly, though it may also be a bad slot to begin with.

 

mine wont work. I put my sd card in, no respond, reinstall the driver, still no respond.
Gonna call Dell tomorrow.... again for the 3rd problems so far.

 

Yeah then it's probably the drive. Weird build error...

P.S. Spalding I hope you get your unit quick, mine was shipped from Tennessee.

 

Just curious, where did you get the driver? It doesn't show up on the Dell page for m11x drivers.

 

It's listed in the chipset section, you can download it here.

 

@Unreal25 - Most of the units are shipped from Lebanon, TN which is close to Nashville.

 

Lebanon = 2 hours or so away I'd say maybe more, but close.

 

This is another cheap design flaw.

The SD-slot on my Dell15 is flush so I know they have the option to do this right.

There is plenting of room to use the right drive on the m11x but they choose to use a crappier SD drive slot.

I would also say its closer to 1/2 sticking out.

 

Btw, the drivers from the Dell website didn't work for me. The latest manufacturer's drivers worked perfectly:

ftp://driver.jmicron.com.tw/jmb38x/XP_Vista_Win7/

 

I own a Alienware M11x and was having SD Card reader issues after I reloaded the OS (Windows 7).

I just got off the phone with Alienware Support. Most of the time they are helpful. Today would be the exception.

I told them my SD Reader was not working with the proper driver installed already.

They recommended I reload Windows from scratch and reload the drivers in their suggested order.

Instead, I went into the control panel, uninstalled the driver "JMicron 1394 Filter Driver" and reinstalled it. It worked after I rebooted.

Thank God I didn't have to reload the OS again!

 

Just want to add my 2 cent to this post since I had the same question when I first tried with my m11x sd card slot. The card is not intended to go in all the way, however window did not pick up the card until the computer is completely booted so take your card out and reinsert it again it should recognize the sd card without installing additional drivers.