Formatting No 2

[frostyspecs]

Many thanks AC and fo3 for your speedy explanations which were some of the most useful information I have seen on this site..
The last point is how often should one format a card to keep everything in apple pie order. TIA

[ACtheTROLL]

depends on how much you use it

I think we differ totally on the use of formatting
I'd only ever do it if I had to - I delete files - occasionally a card refuses to work ... only then would I reformat
it theory at least ... the first manufacturer's "stamp" should be more accurate ... (arguably)

Fo3 uses format to clear the disc .... (or kill the klingons) ....
not how I'd do it ... but it's not wrong ... and you could argue that formatting a device "balances" it.

my "way" is based on the hour long prep that the original HDDs needed - and the disasters if you didn't ...

but with modern kit ... it's a different game entirely I don't ever remember seeing a recommendation either way from a techie source so I can't really justify or argue either point

however something I can say for definite - If you do end up with card that won't do anything
this is a handy little prog
http://files.filefront.com/HPUSBFWEXE/;7241778 ;/fileinfo.html
will generally sort it out

get it now .... before you need it

[fo3nix]

Yea, I think my previous answer a few years ago suggested I format the card all the time.

Formatting won't do any harm, except that it adds to the number of reads/writes the disk has made (and for flash devices like SD cards, there is only a finite number available).

If you just want to erase some files, then just erase them as usual. If you've been using and erasing stuff on the drive a fair bit then need to totally wipe the drive and start again, such as if you're about to go on holiday and use the SD card in your camera, format it.

Also, formatting isn't the same everywhere. You format to a certain system. To make sure you don't format to the wrong system, it's best to format with the machine you're going to be using it with.

So, if you're going to use it with computers, use a computer. If you're going to use it with your camera, format it in your camera.

I wouldn't bother keeping track on the number of formats or anything. Just remember that if after a while you've put on and taken off a load of stuff, and at some point you want to wipe it clean and start again (such as my example of above, going on holiday), that's the time to format.

[frostyspecs]

Thank you both for speedy explanations, I am clear in my mind of what action to take in the future. Many thanks again