Formatting Compact Flash card for use in NX70

[sonyclie]

Is the CF card formatted to FAT when you buy it? If not, is there other ways to format the CF card as I do not have a card reader.

[n2ifp]

Some are using older cards that have been lying around and need formatting. I purchased two 256mb SanDisks that didn't need formatting. I spotted in another thread somewhere today that SanDisk was including a free 6 in one reader with some of it's cards.

[Eddy]

I've a SanDisk256 myself, and it comes already in FAT format.

I'd recommend the 6-in1 since it's more versatile & also allows you to read other Media Card types. Much faster to transfer data over Hotsync, & you can read/write/organize your folders inside the compact flash as well. Saves you lots of time

[markga]

I'm using an older Sandisk card, but if you have a card reader, WindowsXP will let you format it with the option to do either FAT or FAT32

[Eddy]

marka, my Sandisk256 came pre-formatted in FAT, so are there any differences in performance / limitations wise when in FAT32?

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by Eddy
marka, my Sandisk256 came pre-formatted in FAT, so are there any differences in performance / limitations wise when in FAT32?

Yes, the Clie won't recognize it if it's formatted as FAT32. It comes up as unrecognized format.

[frasej]

Originally posted by Eddy
marka, my Sandisk256 came pre-formatted in FAT, so are there any differences in performance / limitations wise when in FAT32?

FAT32 is not supported.

[Eddy]

thks, guys. I didn't know that FAT32 wasn't supported. Another pointer. ;)

[frasej]

Yeah, I had to try it to be sure. When I stuck my 1GB card into the Clie and tried to mount it, after having been formatted for FAT32, it said it needed to be formatted. So I ended up going back and formatting it to FAT again.

[Eddy]

thanks again for the Tip! :D

[Unregistered]

Aloha,
I have a 1GB Lexar CF. It worked right out of the box. But last night my Clié freaked out and I had to do a Hard Reset. Now the card will not read.

I'm running Mac OS 10.2.5, I have a USB Dazzle* multi card reader/writer (card is 4x by the way). I've tried Unix/DOS/Mac Extended/Mac Standard formats. I even Zeroed all the data.

When I enable the MS Masquerading and use either Auto Mount or Slow Mount and/or Read it asks to reformat the card. (my understanding is that it's not supported at this time in the Utility), and it gives an Error: This Operation is Not Supported. (0x2901).

So finally my Question: How - if you don't have a PC - can you format in FAT, if your using a Mac?
(I even tried to reformat the card in a Digital Camera that accepts CF - no go).

Also is anyone noticing that sometimes a ... 'Phantom' palm folder shows up on the card, which renders the card unusable unless you delete one of the palm folders? Then once that's done it works like a charm?

_Stealthy