Reformatting Memory Cards

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Ilikemacs

macrumors newbie

Original poster

• Jul 17, 2004

• #1

I recently read something about reformatting compact flash memory cards for digital cameras. Can anyone here tell me how to do this with a Mac? (the only mention i've found that is mac specific is recommending not using them to reformat... I assume that's just the same mac hatred i've come to expect from most, so i thought i'd ask some knowldegeable people.

 

jeremy.king

macrumors 603

• Jul 17, 2004

• #2

Do it with your camera as every camera has a certain folder structure. If you don't know how....RTFCM.

 

stoid

macrumors 601

• Jul 17, 2004

• #3

Most (maybe all?) digital cameras use a FAT32 drive formatting system. Macintosh computers can not re-format a drive to FAT32 filesystem. There should be an option on the camera to reformat the card. Use that.

 

Horrortaxi

macrumors 68020

• Jul 17, 2004

• #4

Macs can format in FAT 32. However, don't format your camera's card on your Mac. Use the camera.

 

stubeeef

macrumors 68030

• Jul 27, 2005

• #5

OK, my camera has the select button not working. therefore I cannot reformat the CF card. Is there another way on either a Mac or Winblows?

 

MikeTheC

Guest

• Jul 28, 2005

• #6

stubeeef said:

OK, my camera has the select button not working. therefore I cannot reformat the CF card. Is there another way on either a Mac or Winblows?

Click to expand...

If you're going to do it on a computer instead of a camera, get a utility from the card and/or camera maker and do it in Windows, otherwise you risk frying the card.

I know that in Mac OS X Disk Utility, you can change it from Mac Partitioning to PC Partitioning and that will give you access to FAT32, but oftentimes I've seen problems with people just formatting these things willy-nilly on their computer.

Besides, if you were to format it as a Mac OS volume, your camera wouldn't be able to read it since it probably only supports FAT32 anyhow.

 

stubeeef

macrumors 68030

• Jul 30, 2005

• #7

I have googled till I'm blue in the face, and can not find a utility for winXP to reformat a compact flash card!
Anyone here able to post a link to reformat one on 10.3 or XP?

Help! Going to the beach with Family tonight and card is full and camera function button inop!

HELP!!!!

 

stubeeef

macrumors 68030

• Jul 30, 2005

• #8

OK, got ur done!

under start>control panel>performance and maintenance>administrative tools>computer management>disk management(left menu)>(right click on drive to reformat)>reformat>fat or fat32

This is via XP