Expresscard/34 port not working after macOS High Sierra update

[nasachusetts]

macOS 10.13
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2010)
2.53 GHz Intel Core i5
8 GB 1067 MHz DDR3
NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M 512 MB
Intel HD Graphics 288 MB

Hi, after updating to high sierra, my old mid-2010 MacBook Pro's express card/34 slot isn't working anymore. I used this for connecting my other external drives via eSATA which had fast transfer speeds as I work primarily with Adobe Lightroom when importing images relatively quickly from SD cards directly to my eSATA drives. Had I known this would break I would not have updated and stayed on Sierra. Stupid me updates anyways without researching this...
I plug my eSATA adaptor into the ExpressCard/34 Slot on my laptop and nothing happens. I do not believe it is the card's driver as I can still see the Silicon Image driver icon in the menu bar.

I'm not sure how different High Sierra is from Sierra so maybe there is a missing kext file or something missing? I don't even know at this point if a fix is possible but it seems it would be relatively easy. Any ideas or does anyone have this problem that found a fix I would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for any help!

 

[BrianBaughn]

From what I've seen there is an issue with the expresscard/34 port on some older Mac models with High Sierra and I haven't seen a fix anywhere.

 

[Czo]

From what I've seen there is an issue with the expresscard/34 port on some older Mac models with High Sierra and I haven't seen a fix anywhere.

Which older models? ExpressCard slot works fine for me on Early 2008 (non unibody) and Mid 2009 17" modells with 10.13. I'm checked it with USB3 and eSata cards.

 

[BrianBaughn]

Which older models? ExpressCard slot works fine for me on Early 2008 (non unibody) and Mid 2009 17" modells with 10.13. I'm checked it with USB3 and eSata cards.

High Sierra installed with the "Patcher Tool"?

I may be "misremembering" between the Expresscard slot and models with SD card reader.

OP: Did you install High Sierra with a card in the slot or with it removed? At any rate, try resetting the SMC and NVRAM.

 

[Czo]

High Sierra installed with the "Patcher Tool"?

I may be "misremembering" between the Expresscard slot and models with SD card reader.

OP: Did you install High Sierra with a card in the slot or with it removed? At any rate, try resetting the SMC and NVRAM.

I installed it before the patcher tool came out, but with the "same method".

 

[nasachusetts]

High Sierra installed with the "Patcher Tool"?

I may be "misremembering" between the Expresscard slot and models with SD card reader.

OP: Did you install High Sierra with a card in the slot or with it removed? At any rate, try resetting the SMC and NVRAM.

I'm running 10.13 and am using a 17" mid-2010 MacBook pro. I use a 2 port esata expresscard/34 card which WAS plugged in during the update. If need be I can backup and reinstall the os with the patcher fix but that would be a last resort scenario. I'm curious how a laptop older than mine isn't running into this issue. Thanks for the help guys I cannot live with USB 2.0 it's killing me lol.
[doublepost=1508889627][/doublepost]

High Sierra installed with the "Patcher Tool"?

I may be "misremembering" between the Expresscard slot and models with SD card reader.

OP: Did you install High Sierra with a card in the slot or with it removed? At any rate, try resetting the SMC and NVRAM.

I will try resetting the SMC and NVRAM when I get home and let you know if it worked. I'm doubtful but if it works that will be the easiest fix ever!

 

[nasachusetts]

Alright, I have tried the SMC and NVRAM reset no avail. Weirdly, the little icon for the express card on the menu bar shows up when plugged in and disappears when unplugged. I plug it back in and the icon shows up again so I believe the computer is reading from the port but there is no other activity besides that no blinking lights on the card or drives, they do not power up and spin... Hmmmm.
[doublepost=1508896285][/doublepost]Here is a screenshot, so it says the diver is not installed but the menu bar icon does turn on and off when the card is plugged in and unplugged...

 

[Czo]

Alright, I have tried the SMC and NVRAM reset no avail. Weirdly, the little icon for the express card on the menu bar shows up when plugged in and disappears when unplugged. I plug it back in and the icon shows up again so I believe the computer is reading from the port but there is no other activity besides that no blinking lights on the card or drives, they do not power up and spin... Hmmmm.
[doublepost=1508896285][/doublepost]Here is a screenshot, so it says the diver is not installed but the menu bar icon does turn on and off when the card is plugged in and unplugged...
View attachment 727185

It's a Silicon Image card! Drivers are installed? I have two eSATA card, both of it are AHCI compatible card and works with the integrated SATA drivers (all integrated HDD's in Macs are connected to an AHCI compatible SATA controller). I have multiple Silicon Image cards (PCI, PCIe version), but all of it require custom driver. Any controller with AHCI compatibility works and will work in the future and remains bootable.

 

[nasachusetts]

Ahhhh ok it's that damn si 3132 driver. It seems virtually all cheap expresscard 34 adaptors use this driver. Sonnet cards I think is AHCI compatible. Can anyone confirm sonnet cards work on macos 10.13? Are there any other AHCI compatible cards? Google and product listings generally do not show if they use the si3132 driver... I'm just guessing all cheap cards do. Thanks for the help!

 

[Czo]

AHCI

Ahhhh ok it's that damn si 3132 driver. It seems virtually all cheap expresscard 34 adaptors use this driver. Sonnet cards I think is AHCI compatible. Can anyone confirm sonnet cards work on macos 10.13? Are there any other AHCI compatible cards? Google and product listings generally do not show if they use the si3132 driver... I'm just guessing all cheap cards do. Thanks for the help!

AHCI cards works with 10.13 (i have two, one with one port, and one card with two port, both of it support booting from external drives), but sonnet cards seems to me using silicon image: http://www.sonnettech.com/support/kb/kb.php?cat=339&expand=_a3&action=b146#b146 Check the kexts! If you can't find any kexts (maybe this is the only problem, maybe the installer of the 10.13 deletes it?) reinstall the sonnet driver. Maybe it works with 10.13.

 

[nasachusetts]

AHCI

AHCI cards works with 10.13 (i have two, one with one port, and one card with two port, both of it support booting from external drives), but sonnet cards seems to me using silicon image: http://www.sonnettech.com/support/kb/kb.php?cat=339&expand=_a3&action=b146#b146 Check the kexts! If you can't find any kexts (maybe this is the only problem, maybe the installer of the 10.13 deletes it?) reinstall the sonnet driver. Maybe it works with 10.13.

I don't use a sonnet card but since the driver above is using si drivers maybe I'll try to download that to see if it fixes my cheapo card. I'm pretty sure the installation overwritten the kext. At least that sounds logical of why it no longer works after the update. Any suggestions for a new card?

 

[Czo]

I don't use a sonnet card but since the driver above is using si drivers maybe I'll try to download that to see if it fixes my cheapo card. I'm pretty sure the installation overwritten the kext. At least that sounds logical of why it no longer works after the update. Any suggestions for a new card?

I brought the cheapest cards (what i found on ebay) long time ago. I will shoot a pictures of it when i am in home.

 

[nasachusetts]

Thanks that would be a great help!

 

[Czo]

Here is it! Both cards are AHCI compatible, and works fine with 10.7+ (i never checked it with 10.7-, but 10.4 supports AHCI on iMac4,1 so i think it will work with any version of macOS). On my MBP4,1 and on my iMac12,1 booting via this card are also supported.

 

[nasachusetts]

Here is it! Both cards are AHCI compatible, and works fine with 10.7+ (i never checked it with 10.7-, but 10.4 supports AHCI on iMac4,1 so i think it will work with any version of macOS). On my MBP4,1 and on my iMac12,1 booting via this card are also supported.

Excellent! Thank you for the pics. I just happened to come across this one on eBay and went ahead and ordered it. I'll update this when I receive the card. But as far as I can tell it should work the auction stated mac native supported.
Thanks all!

 

[nasachusetts]

Card came in the mail I plugged it in and launched on boot! No drivers were needed so I am running my esata drives again. Thank you for the support I really appreciated the help from all.

 

[killawat]

Expresscard is gold isn't it. Shame we couldn't have USB 3 on the 2010 17" but Ex34 makes up for it. The 2011 17" Mac is truly one of the best Mac portables. with Ex34 and Thunderbolt (and eSATA, USB 3.0 by extension)

 

[MTBnBeer]

What ExpressCard/34 eSATA and USB3.0 adapters work in Mojave?

I have a Merax Dual Port eSATA ExpressCard/34 that uses the Silicon Image drivers... which haven't been updated in ages and from what I recall won't work in Mojave.

I need one for my 17" Early 2008 MacBook Pro model A1261 2.6GHz Core 2 Duo 6GB RAM 512GB SSD running GREAT macOS 10.14.2 using DosDude's Mojave Patcher

 

[boba.a]

Alright, I have tried the SMC and NVRAM reset no avail. Weirdly, the little icon for the express card on the menu bar shows up when plugged in and disappears when unplugged. I plug it back in and the icon shows up again so I believe the computer is reading from the port but there is no other activity besides that no blinking lights on the card or drives, they do not power up and spin... Hmmmm.
[doublepost=1508896285][/doublepost]Here is a screenshot, so it says the diver is not installed but the menu bar icon does turn on and off when the card is plugged in and unplugged...
View attachment 727185

Hi, I'm running into similar issue but with a Nanotech Exp/34 plug&play, like this one :
https://www.local338shop.com/products/2-port-superspeed-usb-3-0-expresscard-34-adapter

My PCI Hardware config says it's connected to "USB eXtensible-hostcontroller" and menu also shows the PCI controller icon (see screenshot), so no additional driver looks to be installed additionally.

When I plug a simple USB device into the card (eg. https://www.muldi.be/p/kaartlezer-integral-usb-30/33374/), my 2011 17" MacBook Pro immediately powers down the Exp/34 card with a notification saying the "USB accessory was disabled because of too high energy comsumption" (see screenshot 2).

Hard to find a similar symptom on the internet.
Anyone an idea how to solve this ?

 

[boba.a]

Hi, I'm running into similar issue but with a Nanotech Exp/34 plug&play, like this one :
https://www.local338shop.com/products/2-port-superspeed-usb-3-0-expresscard-34-adapter

My PCI Hardware config says it's connected to "USB eXtensible-hostcontroller" and menu also shows the PCI controller icon (see screenshot), so no additional driver looks to be installed additionally.

When I plug a simple USB device into the card (eg. https://www.muldi.be/p/kaartlezer-integral-usb-30/33374/), my 2011 17" MacBook Pro immediately powers down the Exp/34 card with a notification saying the "USB accessory was disabled because of too high energy comsumption" (see screenshot 2).

Hard to find a similar symptom on the internet.
Anyone an idea how to solve this ?

Quick update on this :
So I managed to solve my issue thanks to the helpful people of https://www.facebook.com/local338shop/ who received a similar issue from another customer using the same plug&play express card.

Here's what they said :
please check the adapter, inside the port, the blue part should at top, so when you connect USB cable/devices, position should be top is hollow , if its a USB cable, correct position is top with USB logo , so there's a chance you connect it another way, cos the blue part inside the port is kind in the middle when its NEW , so it may have a chance that connect the wrong way , please check attached photos you will understand.

So the first time you use this card, the insertion the way it is shown above doesn't look possible so turning it upside down was my first reaction and obviously mechanically also seems to work.
But without actually connecting the external USB3 device of course.

 

[MTBnBeer]

What ExpressCard/34 eSATA and USB3.0 adapters work in Mojave?

I have a Merax Dual Port eSATA ExpressCard/34 that uses the Silicon Image drivers... which haven't been updated in ages and from what I recall won't work in Mojave.

I need one for my 17" Early 2008 MacBook Pro model A1261 2.6GHz Core 2 Duo 6GB RAM 512GB SSD running GREAT macOS 10.14.2 using DosDude's Mojave Patcher

What ExpressCard/34 eSATA and USB3.0 adapters work in Mojave?

 

[waimtrp]

What ExpressCard/34 eSATA and USB3.0 adapters work in Mojave?

https://www.local338shop.com/products/2-port-superspeed-usb-3-0-expresscard-34-adapter

 

[MTBnBeer]

Thanks! The link you sent shows the highest macOS supported is High Sierra, not Mojave.

Have you tested this nanoTECH 2 Port SuperSpeed USB 3.0 (macOS Native) ExpressCard|34 Adapter in Mojave?

I'm looking for a high speed external port for my 17" Early 2008 MacBook Pro 4,1 A1261 2.6Ghz Core 2 Duo 6GB RAM 512GB Samsung 840 PRO SSD running Mojave 10.14.3 via DosDude1's Mojave Patcher. Previously I used a Merax eSATAXpress ExpressCard/34 dual port eSATA adapter which requires installing 10-year old Silicon Express drivers (i.e. NON-native macOS support). When I insert this vintage ExpressCard it immediately crashes my MacBook Pro... and I'm afraid I'll ruin my hard earned Mojave 10.14.3 macOS via DosDude1's Mojave Patcher.

 

[waimtrp]

Thanks! The link you sent shows the highest macOS supported is High Sierra, not Mojave.

Have you tested this nanoTECH 2 Port SuperSpeed USB 3.0 (macOS Native) ExpressCard|34 Adapter in Mojave?

I'm looking for a high speed external port for my 17" Early 2008 MacBook Pro 4,1 A1261 2.6Ghz Core 2 Duo 6GB RAM 512GB Samsung 840 PRO SSD running Mojave 10.14.3 via DosDude1's Mojave Patcher. Previously I used an ExpressCard/34 dual port eSATA adapter but it required installing 10-year old Silicon Express drivers which I've read won't work in Mojave... and may destroy my hard earned Mojave Patcher macOS.

its work with Mojave , this ExpressCard adapter base on the FL 1100 controller , which is Native macOS supported , work from 10.8.2 to 10.14.x

 

[MTBnBeer]

its work with Mojave , this ExpressCard adapter base on the FL 1100 controller , which is Native macOS supported , work from 10.8.2 to 10.14.x

Awesome !!! Thanks for the confirmation. I really need something faster than this "vintage" MBP's Firewire 800 and USB 2.0 ports... and this sounds perfect!

I still wish I could find a Mojave compatible eSATA ExpressCard adapter though since my external HD's and docks are all eSATA. But USB 3.0 HD enclosures / docks have come down in price so probably time to move on.