Microtech USB driver update: a mixed bag

We are going to take a step back from most of our OS X 10.1.3 coverage this morning to catch up on the other events that have occurred this week.

As we noted several days ago, SCM Microsystems has released OS X 10.1.2 drivers for several Microtech USB products -- ZiO! SmartMedia reader, CameraMate, and SmartMedia SnapSHOT. during the last several days, a number of readers have checked in with various experiences. Note that they are a mixed bag, some with OS 10.1.2, and others with 10.1.3. Here is a look:

Initial success! I installed the driver, restarted, connected my ZiO!, and inserted a SmartMedia card -- an "Unlabeled" drive appeared on my desktop, and iPhoto launched ready to import the photos, and optionally erase the SmartMedia card. (Ward Clark)

Microtech ZiO! driver update breaks with 10.1.3 A reader notes that the recent updated drivers for the ZiO SmartMedia reader worked, until updating to 10.1.3. He writes: "Unfortunately, no more than a few hours later, I upgraded to 10.1.3, and the driver no longer works. This is exactly what happened when they released drivers and 10.1.2 rendered them useless a week later. Well, at least I got to use my ZiO for one batch of pictures." (Alex Kim.)

A possible workaround A reader sent us this possible workaround, which we stress has not been tested. He writes: "The Microtech drivers install two files in system\library\extensions: 'eUSB SmartMedia 10.1.2.kext' and 'eUSB Smartmedia.kext.' There are several reports that seem to indicate that deleting "eUSB SmartMedia 10.1.2.kext" will allow the driver to work under 10.1.3. (Doc Kinne.)

Update: Frank Farwell adds: "After updating to OSX 10.1.3 the new Microtech drivers just released for OSX 10.1.2 did not work on my TiBook G4 400. I deleted all the eUSB drivers the Microtech software installed and reinstalled the previous drivers for 10.1 . The Camermate USB Compact Flash and SmartMedia adapter began to work fine." We have had several similar reports. One reader said his ZiO! worked without any special drivers whatsoever, presumably depending on Mac OS X's default drivers instead.