Lets talk about memory cards

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by RogerTheCat

The one thing I do every few months with my cards is reformat them. The camera a Nikon D100 does this but do not ask me how

I reformat mine every time I use it! Reformatting is quicker than deleting the files, plus it gets rid of all the empty folders which are left behind if you just delete the images.

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by glsammy

I reformat mine every time I use it! Reformatting is quicker than deleting the files, plus it gets rid of all the empty folders which are left behind if you just delete the images.

I hadn't realised that Graham, that's one for me to remember to do
Roger

[Roy C]

Originally Posted by glsammy

I reformat mine every time I use it! Reformatting is quicker than deleting the files, plus it gets rid of all the empty folders which are left behind if you just delete the images.

I do exactly the same Graham far better than just deleting the files.

[Maccattack]

Having come accross all of the above recomendations have had a 1gb lexar 2 and seem to have forgotten to ever reformat it even once , have had it for 2 years and use the camera most days , bit worried now but not quite sure why....

Malcolm Mac

[hairymunky]

Just remember to reformat with the same file system - usually FAT.
My little canon powershot also has a option in the menu somewhere
to format the memory card.

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by hairymunky

Just remember to reformat with the same file system - usually FAT.
My little canon powershot also has a option in the menu somewhere
to format the memory card.

I think all digital cameras will (or should) have a format option, it's virtually instantaneous on the Canon 20D, that's why it's quicker than just deleting the images.

[pressld2]

I have a Lexar Professional 1GB CF card which should have a capacity of about 180 RAW files on my Nikon D70. However, about a year ago it developed a fault and will now only record about 45-50 shots. I suspect it's just a bad segment but for some reason it won't skip over it. I've tried formatting it in the camera and on the PC but no good. I still use it occasionally but have just accepted that it's now a 256MB card.

I now have two Fuji CF cards, both of which claimed to be "guaranteed for life" when I bought them. I have kept the packaging!

Dave P.

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by hairymunky

Just remember to reformat with the same file system - usually FAT.
My little canon powershot also has a option in the menu somewhere
to format the memory card.

I am not so sure it makes an iota of difference.

Most re-formatting is only re-formatting the file information / allocation
data (FAT), not the actual files. Just deleting does the same thing.

If you get bad sectors and things then a standard format does
not do the job and you ned to go to DOS or get special software
(or chuck the thing out, which might be safer !).

I copy across in a windows explorer look-alike (Powerdesk if you
ask) but use the "cut" option and its all sorted.

The files on the Cd are still easily recoverable if it all goes pear shaped.

[hairymunky]

I can delete the files through Windows Explorer. I agree that formating is really
not needed, as the file system has already been created. Most cameras will
format the card when it is first used anyways