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Should I format a Compact Flash card before use?



 
 
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  #1  
Old February 18th 05, 04:48 PM
Dave
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Default Should I format a Compact Flash card before use?

I just got my first serious digital camera, a Canon 20D, and the
manual recommends that I format its Compact Flash cards VIA the
camera's format utility before I use them. I've never done this
before and never had a problem and I tend not to fix what ain't broke,
so I wonder what the facts are. I use high quality (Lexar Pro) cards.

I asked this question at the digicam group and got answers ranging
from "Always!" to "Never!" so I thought I'd ask the hardware geeks to
see what they think.

Thanks very much for any help.
  #2  
Old February 18th 05, 04:57 PM
Chris
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"Dave" wrote in message
...
I just got my first serious digital camera, a Canon 20D, and the
manual recommends that I format its Compact Flash cards VIA the
camera's format utility before I use them. I've never done this
before and never had a problem and I tend not to fix what ain't broke,
so I wonder what the facts are. I use high quality (Lexar Pro) cards.

I asked this question at the digicam group and got answers ranging
from "Always!" to "Never!" so I thought I'd ask the hardware geeks to
see what they think.

Thanks very much for any help.



You don't have to format as they come already formatted.





--
Chris
Technical director CKCCOMPUSCRIPT
Apple Computers, Intel, Roland audio, ATI, Microsoft, Sun Solaris, Cisco and
Silicone Graphics.
Wholesale distributor and specialist audio visual computers and servers
FREE SUPPORT @,
http://www.ckccomp.plus.com/site/page.HTM



  #3  
Old February 18th 05, 05:03 PM
Ralph Mowery
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If you format the card always do it with the camera usint the camera's
internal format program. That is usually a good way of clearing all the pix
off the card once you are sure you do not need them on the card and have
them stored in the computer or printed.

Do not format the card using the computer. It is possiable that some
computer's format program may be differat than the internal one to the
camera. If this hapens it may make the card unusable .


"Dave" wrote in message
...
I just got my first serious digital camera, a Canon 20D, and the
manual recommends that I format its Compact Flash cards VIA the
camera's format utility before I use them. I've never done this
before and never had a problem and I tend not to fix what ain't broke,
so I wonder what the facts are. I use high quality (Lexar Pro) cards.

I asked this question at the digicam group and got answers ranging
from "Always!" to "Never!" so I thought I'd ask the hardware geeks to
see what they think.

Thanks very much for any help.



  #4  
Old February 18th 05, 06:07 PM
bearman
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Posts: n/a
Default


"Dave" wrote in message
...
I just got my first serious digital camera, a Canon 20D, and the
manual recommends that I format its Compact Flash cards VIA the
camera's format utility before I use them. I've never done this
before and never had a problem and I tend not to fix what ain't broke,
so I wonder what the facts are. I use high quality (Lexar Pro) cards.

I asked this question at the digicam group and got answers ranging
from "Always!" to "Never!" so I thought I'd ask the hardware geeks to
see what they think.

Thanks very much for any help.



What would happen if you just tried to use it in the camera before doing
anything with it. Seems like if it needs formatting, you wouldn't be able
to save a picture to it.

--
Bearman
If it's got tits, tires, tubes, or transistors, it's trouble.


  #5  
Old February 18th 05, 07:10 PM
kony
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Default

On Fri, 18 Feb 2005 07:48:35 -0800, Dave
wrote:

I just got my first serious digital camera, a Canon 20D, and the
manual recommends that I format its Compact Flash cards VIA the
camera's format utility before I use them. I've never done this
before and never had a problem and I tend not to fix what ain't broke,
so I wonder what the facts are. I use high quality (Lexar Pro) cards.

I asked this question at the digicam group and got answers ranging
from "Always!" to "Never!" so I thought I'd ask the hardware geeks to
see what they think.

Thanks very much for any help.


Try it in camera as-is, and if it doesn't work right, format
in camera.
 




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