Should I format CF card before use?

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.dcameras (More info?)

"Dave" <sallydog-rem-@cox.net> wrote in message
news:r48a11524i2nsf8i393tqtmt9mf39j2cqa@4ax.com...
> I just got my first serious digital camera, a Canon 20D. A fairly
> knowledgable friend told me that it's a good idea to format a new
> Compact Flash card in the camera before I use it. True?
>
> Thanks very much for any help.

Maybe and only in the camera that the card will be used.
Put the card in the camera and see if the camera complains.

--
CSM1
http://www.carlmcmillan.com
--

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.dcameras (More info?)

On Thu, 17 Feb 2005 14:57:10 -0800, Dave <sallydog-rem-@cox.net>
wrote:

>I just got my first serious digital camera, a Canon 20D. A fairly
>knowledgable friend told me that it's a good idea to format a new
>Compact Flash card in the camera before I use it. True?
>
>Thanks very much for any help.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Never format a card if it doesn't need formatting. You risk
destroying the card for absolutely nothing.

dk

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.dcameras (More info?)

you can not write a picture to the card unless its formatted ... you may
have found a pre-formatted card

Vernon

"Gymmie Bob" <nothanx@bite.moi> wrote in message
news:7qGdne1l5IB2cIjfRVn-gw@golden.net...
> That's why I never write picture to my cards either unless I have to use
the
> camera....doh!
>
> "Duffaukid" <dk@privacy.net> wrote in message
> news:k6ma11hq74timllsnnvia5sb20vgrmbcll@4ax.com...
> > On Thu, 17 Feb 2005 14:57:10 -0800, Dave <sallydog-rem-@cox.net>
> > wrote:
> >
> > >I just got my first serious digital camera, a Canon 20D. A fairly
> > >knowledgable friend told me that it's a good idea to format a new
> > >Compact Flash card in the camera before I use it. True?
> > >
> > >Thanks very much for any help.
> >
> > If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
> >
> > Never format a card if it doesn't need formatting. You risk
> > destroying the card for absolutely nothing.
> >
> > dk
> >
>
>

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.dcameras (More info?)

"Yoonome" <Yoonome@Yoonowhere.com> wrote in message
news:UMdTd.492060$6l.433490@pd7tw2no...
>
> Well I never, I thought you had to format every now and then.
> Especially if you have deleted pictures on the Camera.
> So, how do you know when it needs formatting ?
> D

When the camera complains that the card has errors or is not formated.
Or maybe when you can not read the images from the card.

>
> "Duffaukid" <dk@privacy.net> wrote in message
> news:k6ma11hq74timllsnnvia5sb20vgrmbcll@4ax.com...
>> On Thu, 17 Feb 2005 14:57:10 -0800, Dave <sallydog-rem-@cox.net>
>> wrote:
>> If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
>>
>> Never format a card if it doesn't need formatting. You risk
>> destroying the card for absolutely nothing.
>>
>> dk
>>
--
CSM1
http://www.carlmcmillan.com
--

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.dcameras (More info?)

On Thu, 24 Feb 2005 05:40:04 GMT, "Yoonome" <Yoonome@Yoonowhere.com>
wrote:

>
> Well I never, I thought you had to format every now and then.
> Especially if you have deleted pictures on the Camera.
> So, how do you know when it needs formatting ?
> D
>
>"Duffaukid" <dk@privacy.net> wrote in message
>news:k6ma11hq74timllsnnvia5sb20vgrmbcll@4ax.com...
>> On Thu, 17 Feb 2005 14:57:10 -0800, Dave <sallydog-rem-@cox.net>
>> wrote:
>> If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
>>
>> Never format a card if it doesn't need formatting. You risk
>> destroying the card for absolutely nothing.


Check out this link:

http://www.flashfixers.com/support/cardcare.asp


Card Care



We've put together our best Card Care tips below to help you prevent
the loss of your digital pictures:

**** Always reformat the card in your camera each time after
downloading and saving the pictures on your computer. Don't use the
computer to format the card. ****

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.dcameras (More info?)

On Tue, 01 Mar 2005 17:37:17 -0600, PJ <me@privacy.net> wrote:

>
> Here you have data recovery people telling you to reformat your
>card after every use. They know which side their bread is buttered
>on. Don't listen to them or you will be listening to them.
>
> It's like ...... (you fill in the blanks.).
>
> The golden rule is: "Never format your card".
> or
> If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
>
>PJ
>

This should be filed under "Urban Legends". Please explain what there
is in a CF card that can be "broken" by reformatting it?

Copy the contents of a card to your computer first chance you get,
then reformat the card "IN THE CAMERA" which leaves it ready to go
again. The reformat is usually MUCH faster and less prone to error
than trying to delete the files - especially deleting files one at a
time.

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.dcameras (More info?)

"Lloyd Lewellen" <contessa@iowatelecom.net> wrote in message
news036q4$jgf$1@news.netins.net...
>
> "Frank" <somebody@someplace.net> wrote in message
> news:q72a2151m2nt7771nuatgq9445p1ageg8e@4ax.com...
>> On Tue, 01 Mar 2005 17:37:17 -0600, PJ <me@privacy.net> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Here you have data recovery people telling you to reformat your
>>>card after every use. They know which side their bread is buttered
>>>on. Don't listen to them or you will be listening to them.
>>>
>>> It's like ...... (you fill in the blanks.).
>>>
>>> The golden rule is: "Never format your card".
>>> or
>>> If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
>>>
>>>PJ
>>>
>>
>> This should be filed under "Urban Legends". Please explain what there
>> is in a CF card that can be "broken" by reformatting it?
>>
>> Copy the contents of a card to your computer first chance you get,
>> then reformat the card "IN THE CAMERA" which leaves it ready to go
>> again. The reformat is usually MUCH faster and less prone to error
>> than trying to delete the files - especially deleting files one at a
>> time.
>
> My Fuji FinePix S5100 digital camera will delete either "all frames" or
> a frame at a time.
> Yes, I just purchased my digital. At this point I believe I'll erase
> without formatting. I did not receive a format (or initialize) message
> when I first inserted the card and began taking pictures, so I assumed the
> memory card had already come formatted. Maybe I have already made my
> first mistake by not formatting.
> I have run copies of pictures through my computer, and the pictures
> look fine to me.
>
> Lloyd
>

If the card came in the box with the camera, I am sure that the card was
formatted and ready to use.
The fact that you were able to use the card to take pictures and then
download them to your computer, says that the card was already formatted.

When downloading pictures from the camera, it is best to copy the pictures
instead of move the pictures if you have that option. Delete the pictures
with the camera only and only after seeing them on the computer.

--
CSM1
http://www.carlmcmillan.com
--

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.dcameras (More info?)

I said:
>So why is YOUR information less ridiculous?
>You haven't backed it up with anything.
>A better golden rule is - don't listen to anyone
>who can't back up their information.

...without quoting - sorry. This was directed at `PJ`, who seems to be
spreading the urban myth that formatting a memory card is `dangerous`.
As far as I can tell, as long as it is formatted in the camera, it is
not only safe, it is also a recommended practice (eg check the FAQ's
at www.sandisk.com).

We're waiting, PJ.....