SDHC Cards do not work in Dell Mini 9 internal card slot with Linux 2.6.28

[Omegamormegil]

I noticed that my 8GB SDHC memory card is not recognized at all when it is inserted into the internal card slot. Using an external USB SDHC memory card reader reads the same card perfectly fine. I also tested a 4GB SDHC card by a different manufacturer, which also didn't work. My 2GB SD card works fine. I tested this bug against linux 2.6.28 vanilla and 2.6.29 from http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/. The 2.6.28 vanilla kernel also did not work, but the 2.6.29 kernel did work.

The 8GB SDHC memory card is detected and usable using Linux 2.6.29, but not Linux 2.6.28.

Running Jaunty UNR.

ProblemType: Bug
Architecture: i386
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.04
MachineType: Dell Inc. Inspiron 910
Package: linux-image-2.6.28-11-generic 2.6.28-11.41
ProcCmdLine: root=UUID=a35f4ea7-1301-4c35-b571-8a8b5743789c ro quiet splash
ProcEnviron:
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.28-11.41-generic
SourcePackage: linux

[Omegamormegil (omegamormegil)]

Fafnir on this forum has noted the same issue: http://mydellmini.com/forum/jaunty-install-t4684.html#p47838

[Omegamormegil (omegamormegil)]

Similar to https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/329424

[ytsejam1138 (ytsejam1138)]

I can also confirm the exact results. 2GB SD works fine in internal card reader. 16GB SDHC cannot be seen by internal card reader. Both cards can be seen by an external card reader. Also, Gparted cannot see any internal card even the 2GB SD card that can be mounted and seen from the desktop. Another user reports similar circumstances in this thread: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1121016

My Setup:
Dell Mini9
Jaunty 9.04
Kernel: 2.6.28-11-generic

[Omegamormegil (omegamormegil)]

Confirmed, per comments

[K. Lange (k-lange)]

No issues on my Mini 9 with a 16GB SDHC when using kernel 2.6.28-11.38.

[ytsejam1138 (ytsejam1138)]

Kevin,

Are you also running Ubuntu 9.04?

[ytsejam1138 (ytsejam1138)]

I just booted using kernel 2.6.27-7-generic and the internal card reader works fine with a 16GB SDHC card. So it's something with kernel 2.6.28-11-generic in conjunction with Ubuntu 9.04.

[ytsejam1138 (ytsejam1138)]

I was able to test a 8GB SDHC card today with kernel 2.6.28-11-generic and it works fine.

[Omegamormegil (omegamormegil)]

I am still having the same issue with my two SDHC cards, and I'm fully updated.

I imagine this bug could be a big deal to people who have moved their home folder to a SDHC card in the internal slot for extra storage when they try to upgrade.

[frkingz (frkingz)]

SDHC cards still not working in my Dell Mini with Jaunty installed. 2gb works fine. 16gb works fine in my Dell 1530 that I recently upgraded to Jaunty and also my two desktops.

Considering my Mini only has a 16gb hard drive at this time not being able to use my 16gb SDHC card is a serious issue.

[Tim Gardner (timg-tpi)]

@Omegamormegil - what manufacturer makes this card? I've an 8GB SanDisk that is working fine, though I have not tried it in my mini-9 (lost the power supply). At least a couple of users are reporting success with 8 and 16 GB cards.

[Omegamormegil (omegamormegil)]

My 8GB (Class 6) card is made by Kingston. My 4GB card which also doesn't work is made by another manufacturer. I don't have the 4GB card at the moment, or I could be more specific.

[infiniti_guy (infiniti-guy)]

I am running Netbook Remix (Jaunty 9.04 UNR daily snapshot from April 9, updated to April 12) on my Aspire One 110 (with latest BIOS v3309).
My SDHC (8GB class 4) does work in the left hand card slot (can read and save files to it); however, I can not suspend or hibernate with the card inserted (machine gets stuck with a blank screen and a cursor flashing in the top right, no key strokes or even the power button are effective when this happens, a complete lockup).
When I remove the SDHC card, suspend and hibernate work fine.

[infiniti_guy (infiniti-guy)]

BTW, running kernel 2.6.28-11-generic.

[billgio (billgio)]

I am having the same issue with an A-Data 16gb sdhc card, model "TurboSD SDHC 16G". Tested the SDHC card in 2 windows PCs without any problems. A Kingston 2GB SD card is working perfectly in the same Mini 9.

[frkingz (frkingz)]

My 16gb card is a Sandisk.

[ytsejam1138 (ytsejam1138)]

2GB SD Kingston = WORKING
8GB SDHC Sandisk MicroSDHC with SD adapter = WORKING
16GB SDHC A-Data Turbo = NOT WORKING

None of the above cards can be seen by Gparted when using the internal reader. ALL of the above cards will work when using a USB card reader and can be seen by Gparted.

[Omegamormegil (omegamormegil)]

@ Tim Gardner
Is there anything else you need that would help in fixing this bug?

If this doesn't get fixed perhaps it should be noted in the Jaunty release notes. I think it is common to keep your home folder on a big SDHC card with this hardware and the upgrade could be quite detrimental to people doing so.

[Ram (ram-league2000)]

It is also effecting Acers.

I found a fix at [url=http://filthypants.blogspot.com/2009/03/ubuntu-904-jaunty-jackalope-on-acer.html] this blogg [/url] that works on my Dell Mini 9 running 9.04 rc.

[Tim Gardner (timg-tpi)]

@Omegamormegil - can you attach the output of 'sudo dmidecode' ? This is looking like its going to require a platform specific quirk. The debug_quirk as suggested by Ram in comment 22 ends up setting a flag named SDHCI_QUIRK_CLOCK_BEFORE_RESET.

[Omegamormegil (omegamormegil)]

Here's my dmidecode output.

[Ike Panhc (ikepanhc)]

Tim, the attachment is dmidecode from mini-9 I got

I have tested for Apacer 2G SD card and silicon power 8GB SDHC class 6
with 2.6.28-11-generic kernel

both of 2 cards works fine

uname -a show me:
Linux ubuntu-laptop 2.6.28-11-generic #42-Ubuntu SMP Fri Apr 17 01:57:59 UTC 2009 i686 GNU/Linux

[Tim Gardner (timg-tpi)]

I just fired up my mini-9 and plugged in a SanDisk 16GB. It and an 8GB SanDisk both work fine, so I'm thinking some of these problems are media specific. I'll check with the upstream maintainer to see how we might develop better quirk support. In the meantime, try installing an upstream kernel (which should work fine with Jaunty user space).

http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v2.6.30-rc3/linux-image-2.6.30-020630rc3-generic_2.6.30-020630rc3_i386.deb

[Omegamormegil (omegamormegil)]

Yes, 2.6.30rc3 works fine and my SDHC card functions properly when using it, but I have no wireless as I don't get the restricted kernel modules.

[Ram (ram-league2000)]

As any one tried reading a Duo stick, tested one last night and it was NOT detected. It was the first time I'd tried so can't say if it's an issue with 9.04 or not.

I've got hold of a 2nd Duo stick which I'll test to night just incase brand thing.

[Tim Gardner (timg-tpi)]

@Omegamormegil - thanks for the info, though I expected the wireless wouldn't work. I'm not going to pursue this for Jaunty any further since I think the magnitude of the changes required likely do not satisfy SRU criteria (the source delta between 2.6.28 and 2.6.30 is quite large). It appears _most_ media works OK, and even more appear to work in 2.6.30.

I'm willing to re-asses my position if someone finds a relatively small patch that enables more media on this Ricoh controller.

Once Karmic opens for development, you'll be able to those kernel and LRM packages to fix this problem.

[Tim Gardner (timg-tpi)]

Appears to be fixed in 2.6.30

[Ben Treichel (btreichel)]

Dell Mini, 9.04 unr, Sandisk 8 gig. 2.6.26.11-generic

Its seen if i look in 'places;, but not acknowledged in gparted like the pny thumb drive is, or it was on 8.10.

installed gnome-volume-manger, get the removable media tab, shows no memory devices.

[Giorgio (valle-giorgio)]

I've a similar problem on an Acer Aspire 5300 (64 bit, it's a notebook and not a netbook): since I've upgraded to Jaunty (kernel 2.6.28.11) the SD card reader and the Express card reader aren't any more "hot plug" detected. If I boot my PC with a firewire or a SD card connected, the system detects the devices. On the opposite, if I insert a firewire or a SD card in the PC already running, the devices aren't detected.
Adding in /etc/modules the strings

pciehp pciehp_force=1 (command for hot plug function in Intrepid)
sdhci debug_quirks=1

and similar options in /etc/modprobe.d/opptions didn't change the situation: the module sdhci is loaded, but system doesn't detect the devices.

I have read it could be a problem connected with the module pciehp in the kernel 2.6.28: does anyone have more accurate information on the topic?

[John (johnnybirdman)]

Dell Mini 9
Ubuntu 9.04
2.6.28-11-generic

Attempted the /etc/modprobe.d/options fix per the filthypants.

8GB Transcend = Works (before and after filthypants suggested fix)
2GB Kingston = Not Working (before or after filthypants suggested fix)

Reboot with the card in place makes not difference.

[Giorgio (valle-giorgio)]

I've installed again kernel 2.6.27 (from http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/) and the hot plug detection of firewire and card reader is working adding in /etc/modules the string

pciehp pciehp_force=1

I've tested kernel 2.6.29 and the hot plug function is not working for my Acer Aspire 5300

[Omegamormegil (omegamormegil)]

Your hot plugging with the the 2.6.30RC Kernel, and if it doesn't work,
please file a new bug report.

On Thu, Apr 30, 2009 at 12:27 PM, Giorgio <email address hidden> wrote:

> I've installed again kernel 2.6.27 (from http://kernel.ubuntu.com
> /~kernel-ppa/mainline/) and the hot plug detection of firewire and card
> reader is working adding in /etc/modules the string
>
> pciehp pciehp_force=1
>
> I've tested kernel 2.6.29 and the hot plug function is not working for
> my Acer Aspire 5300
>
> --
> SDHC Cards do not work in Dell Mini 9 internal card slot with Linux 2.6.28
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/359323
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>
> Status in “linux” source package in Ubuntu: Fix Released
> Status in linux in Ubuntu Jaunty: Won't Fix
>
> Bug description:
> I noticed that my 8GB SDHC memory card is not recognized at all when it is
> inserted into the internal card slot. Using an external USB SDHC memory
> card reader reads the same card perfectly fine. I also tested a 4GB SDHC
> card by a different manufacturer, which also didn't work. My 2GB SD card
> works fine. I tested this bug against linux 2.6.28 vanilla and 2.6.29 from
> http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/<http://kernel.ubuntu.com/%7Ekernel-ppa/mainline/>.
> The 2.6.28 vanilla kernel also did not work, but the 2.6.29 kernel did
> work.
>
> The 8GB SDHC memory card is detected and usable using Linux 2.6.29, but not
> Linux 2.6.28.
>
> Running Jaunty UNR.
>
> ProblemType: Bug
> Architecture: i386
> DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.04
> MachineType: Dell Inc. Inspiron 910
> Package: linux-image-2.6.28-11-generic 2.6.28-11.41
> ProcCmdLine: root=UUID=a35f4ea7-1301-4c35-b571-8a8b5743789c ro quiet splash
> ProcEnviron:
> LANG=en_US.UTF-8
> SHELL=/bin/bash
> ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.28-11.41-generic
> SourcePackage: linux
>

[Giorgio (valle-giorgio)]

I've try with the kernel 2.6.30.rc3 as suggested by Omegamormegil, but the hot plug detection isn't working for the SDCard reader and the Express Card with my Acer Aspire. In addition, the kernel fails to load the modules AppArmor and nvidia kernel (180) and is occasionally giving problem with the suspend - shut down function. I've opened the bug 370159

[Giorgio (valle-giorgio)]

I've added to the bug 370159 this workaround for the hot plug function of SD Card reader and firewire:
adding to /boot/grub/menu.lst the string
"pciehp.pciehp_force=1"
(and eventually also "pciehp.pciehp_poll_mode=1", but for me the first option was enough). I added it directly at the end of the kernel 2.6.28, in the line starting with "kernel":

kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-8-generic root=UUID=978d9a41-90b5-43ba-a434-4d6ac3e44bea ro quiet splash pciehp.pciehp_force=1

In the blog I read it was written to add this string after the commented line # defoptions=quiet splash but I didn't because I'm usually running the kernel 2.6.27 (that should manage pciehp as a module)

[Omegamormegil (omegamormegil)]

Adding "options sdhci debug_quirks=1" to "/etc/modprobe.d/modprobe.conf" causes my SDHC card to work perfectly! I now have my home folder living on my 8GB SDHC card on my Dell Mini 9 with the default Jaunty kernel.

I found the tip here: http://filthypants.blogspot.com/2009/03/ubuntu-904-jaunty-jackalope-on-acer.html?showComment=1241059980000#c2470565798415208624

[Ben Treichel (btreichel)]

I didn't have a modprobe.conf file on my machine. But followed the
instructions at the top of the article and it worked (sort of). It shows up
in 'places' w/o effort (most of the time) . However, still not seen in
'gparted' likein older releases.

On Wed, May 6, 2009 at 12:36 AM, Omegamormegil <email address hidden>wrote:

> Adding "options sdhci debug_quirks=1" to "/etc/modprobe.d/modprobe.conf"
> causes my SDHC card to work perfectly! I now have my home folder living
> on my 8GB SDHC card on my Dell Mini 9 with the default Jaunty kernel.
>
> I found the tip here:
> http://filthypants.blogspot.com/2009/03/ubuntu-904-jaunty-jackalope-on-
> acer.html?showComment=1241059980000#c2470565798415208624<http://filthypants.blogspot.com/2009/03/ubuntu-904-jaunty-jackalope-on-%0Aacer.html?showComment=1241059980000#c2470565798415208624>
>
> --
> SDHC Cards do not work in Dell Mini 9 internal card slot with Linux 2.6.28
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/359323
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>
> Status in “linux” source package in Ubuntu: Fix Released
> Status in linux in Ubuntu Jaunty: Won't Fix
>
> Bug description:
> I noticed that my 8GB SDHC memory card is not recognized at all when it is
> inserted into the internal card slot. Using an external USB SDHC memory
> card reader reads the same card perfectly fine. I also tested a 4GB SDHC
> card by a different manufacturer, which also didn't work. My 2GB SD card
> works fine. I tested this bug against linux 2.6.28 vanilla and 2.6.29 from
> http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/<http://kernel.ubuntu.com/%7Ekernel-ppa/mainline/>.
> The 2.6.28 vanilla kernel also did not work, but the 2.6.29 kernel did
> work.
>
> The 8GB SDHC memory card is detected and usable using Linux 2.6.29, but not
> Linux 2.6.28.
>
> Running Jaunty UNR.
>
> ProblemType: Bug
> Architecture: i386
> DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.04
> MachineType: Dell Inc. Inspiron 910
> Package: linux-image-2.6.28-11-generic 2.6.28-11.41
> ProcCmdLine: root=UUID=a35f4ea7-1301-4c35-b571-8a8b5743789c ro quiet splash
> ProcEnviron:
> LANG=en_US.UTF-8
> SHELL=/bin/bash
> ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.28-11.41-generic
> SourcePackage: linux
>

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As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord! (Joshua 24:15)

[Ron (rcm-volente)]

I created a one-line /etc/modprobe.d/modprobe.conf [file did not exist before] and rebooted, and all is well with my Mini-9 9.04 with a pATRIOT 4gb micro-sd in an adapter.

[vickoxy (vickoxy)]

I confirm the same issue with dell mini 9 and Adata sdhc 16GB card. There is workaround:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=7162860&postcount=2

but then it automounts the card after each standby and pops up nautilus window.

Kernel: 2.6.28-14-generic
Ubuntu 9.04

[Ram (ram-league2000)]

This issue also effects Mint 7 and the same fix works.