How to format a 2GB SD, MiniSD, MicroSD, MMC or MMCMobile (DV-RSMMC) Card on a PC.

This guide outlines the proper procedure for formatting a 2GB flash memory card for use with a Cell Phone, PDA, MP3 Player, Digital Camera, etc. Many devices like these are sensitive to the formatting on the card, especially on cards with a capacity of 2GB or more. Problems can occur such as error messages when your device tries to access the card. You may receive messages like; "Memory Card Corrupt", "No Memory Card Present", "Memory Card Needs Formatting", "IO Error", etc. Your device may not even respond at all, or it may hang or crash.

All these problems are common and most can be corrected by simply re-formatting the memory card on a PC or laptop, as opposed to formatting the card on the device,  using specific format override parameters (described below).

The formatting process is simple. First you will need a High Capacity USB Flash Card Drive (Card Reader / Writer) capable of reading the SD (Secure Digital) or MMC (MultiMedia Card) formats. The drive MUST be capable of reading, writing and formatting a 2GB card. Many card drives, especially ones built into a PC or Laptop, or multi-card readers cannot properly format a card above 1GB in capacity. If you do not have a High Capacity USB Flash Card Drive you will not be able to format the card properly. If this is the case you can purchase a very good and inexpensive one here:  High Capacity USB Flash Card Drive

Next follow these instructions:

• Connect the adapter onto the end of your memory card that converts it into the full size SD or MMC card. This is only required for the mini card formats like MiniSD, MicroSD (also called TransFlash) & MMCMobile. SD and MMC cards do not require and adapter. If you need an adapter for your mini card you can purchase one from these links:  MiniSD to SD Memory Card Adapter / MicroSD to MiniSD Memory Card Adapter

• Insert the card into your card reader

• Plug your card reader into an available USB port on your computer. Do not connect to a USB hub. Plug the reader directly into the USB Port on your computer.

• Wait for your system to find the USB Storage Device. Close any windows that open automatically.

• Open a new "My Computer" window (Start Menu / My Computer).

• Right click on the drive letter associated with your card reader

• Select "Format" from the right click menu.

• A Dialog Box such as the one shown below will open. IMPORTANT ... click the down arrow under the "File System" section of the dialog box and select "FAT" as the File System. DO NOT select FAT32 or NTSF.

• IMPORTANT ... under the "Format Options" section select the "Quick Format" option.

• Click on the "Start" button to begin the format process. Do not select any other options. When the format is complete close the format dialog box.

WARNING ... formatting will destroy all data on the selected drive. Be absolutely certain you have selected the correct drive letter for your memory card. Choosing the wrong drive letter will result in loss of data and may make your system inoperable.

The re-format process is now complete

IMPORTANT… Before you remove the card reader from the USB port you must stop the USB device or make certain that the computer has finished reading or writing to the card. Removing the card while the computer is accessing it can corrupt the data or the formatting on the card.