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re-formatting sdhc cards


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Topic must have been covered a zillion times – but is there any point in overwriting with the M9 as opposed to simply scrolling up to 'yes', when reformatting a card. The one takes several minutes, the alternative just a few seconds. What do you advise?

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Format is fine in nearly all cases - unless you dread you cards being read out by your wife or the FBI. In that case overwrite.

 

This is correct, but I always overwrite brand new cards the first time in a computer, since I have (very rarely) had problems that I traced to residual bit strings confusing header data.

 

.... H

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Overwrite leaves previous information in the directory,ie table of contents, which will eventually fill and get confused perhaps even telling you the card is full when it is not because all storage locations are in use. Deleting files leads to future fragmented files which can cause reading errors.

 

Reformat overcomes both.

 

I download, back up, reformat and never had a problem. I also dedicate cards to only one camera. When the M8 goes, I will toss the cards or reformat to a new camera.

 

Occasionally put the card in the computer, reformat, then put in camera and reformat again and it is good to go another year or five. That is what Lexar tells me anyway. Argue with them.

 

Deleting is same as overwrite. Delete does not mean erase in the computer world. It only means the location can now accept new data , ie overwrite.

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The belief that overwriting could solve any issues is bordering on superstition. It does prevent restoration of deleted images, though.

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  • 2 weeks later...
Format is fine in nearly all cases - unless you dread your cards being read out by your wife or the FBI. In that case overwrite.

 

To do this, you need to overwrite around 27 times. The FBI is very good. But unless you keep national secrets or child porn or your latest unpatented invention on the card, there is no reason to do this.

 

If you are worried, a hammer or drill is the best option. That is what I use on hard drives before trashing a computer.

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