SD cards only take a few minutes to format.
Secure Digital (SD) cards provide compact, expandable memory for many small devices. Although they come ready-to-use, formatting your card before using it in electronics maximizes the space available and boosts performance. Without correctly adjusted settings, your card may fail to access data consistently, resulting in the loss of information. Formatting only takes a few minutes and can be completed on your computer or camera.
Instructions
On A Computer
1. Save any information on the SD card. Formatting will erase any data you have stored.
2. Insert the SD card into the card reader. Plug it into the computer. If this is the first time that you have used the card reader, you may have to install drivers before proceeding.
3. Open the "My Computer" folder from the "Start" menu or desktop icon.
4. Right-click on the SD card icon. It may be listed as "Removable disk." Select "Format."
5. Set the "Capacity" option. If 2 GB is not an option, select the closest value. It may list 1.8 GB, as a portion of the memory card is reserved for system information.
6. Choose "FAT32" as the "File System" option. Set the "Allocation Size" to the default.
7. Label the card appropriately in the "Volume Label" field, for example, "Picture card." Click "Start."
8. Wait until the process completes, and safely eject the card from the system.
On A Camera
9. Back up pictures on a computer before proceeding; formatting erases saved images.
10. Insert the SD card and fresh batteries into the digital camera. This process will run faster with a new power source. Do not plug the camera into the computer.
11. Navigate to the menu, and select the "Format" option. Follow the prompts on the screen.
Tags: before proceeding, card reader, Insert card, into computer, your card