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Erasing and Reformatting a Camera Memory Card

I was having crash problems with Aperture 2 (my photo management & editing app) when trying to import my photos directly from a compact flash card. See my previous article for more details.

I found what I hope is a solution - Erasing and reformatting the compact flash card in my computer, NOT just in my camera.

I am a believer of formatting your media memory card in your camera before every new photo shoot. But formatting this way doesn’t permanently erase the data; there is still a way to recover the data even after it has been formatted. My thoughts are, if a memory card is fully erased in your computer, then any extra residue will be removed and it should keep your cards running smoothly.

Think of it this way. It’s like when you reinstall Mac OS X or Windows. They say you should never reinstall without an erase and format of your hard drive, right? At least that is my way of looking at it, right or wrong, I don’t know for sure.

Remember, don’t format or erase your card(s) until you download your photos to your computer AND back them up to a second source. Always keep at least TWO copies of your photos!!

This tutorial covers how to erase and format using Mac OS X, but there are other excellent tutorials out there for Windows users. I found one from the Simple Help that is excellent. Just make sure to format as FAT.

Mac OS X - Launch Disk Utility

On the left column in Disk Utility, click to select the camera card.

Erase Options

(1) Click on the Erase button (2) then click the Security Options button and choose "Zero Out Data". (See below for security options screenshot) - after options are set, (3) click the Erase button and your card will be fully erased.

DISCLAIMER: I am not an expert. I am only sharing this information because it worked for me. Follow at your own risk! Be careful about which memory cards you are erasing. Make sure you have TWO complete backups of your photo files before erasing!

Zero Out Data

In the Security Options dialog box, choose the radio button next to Zero Out Data - this setting will write zeros over your data to fully erase your drive. If you want more security, choose the 7-pass erase, but that is probably overkill for photos. And it will take a long time to complete!

(Optional) Reformat

Once the card is erased, you can start using it in your camera, but I like taking one additional step.

In Disk Utility, make sure the memory card is selected on the left side of the screen. Don’t select the volume, select the line above the volume, which might be named for your card reader. In my case, it states "1.9 gb Kingston" which is my card reader.

(Optional) Partition as FAT

Click the Partition button (if you don’t see the Partition button, then you have the wrong item selected on the left column).
From the pulldown menu, choose "1 Partition", it will automatically name the new partition "Untitled 1". Leave it as is, it will not matter because your camera will rename it when it formats the card itself.
Important! Make sure "MS-DOS (Fat)" is chosen for the "format" choice.
Click the Options button (see below for screen shot) and choose "Master Boot Record"
Click the Apply button when you are ready to start the format.

Partition Options

Format in Your Camera

The card will not work as is in your camera.

As soon as you insert the media card, the camera will probably display a message that it isn’t compatible. At this point, all you need to do is format in the camera.

You probably already know how to format your media card in your camera, right? If not, make sure to dig out your owner’s manual (rtfm) and read up on formatting. I think it is important to do it before every new shoot.

I know some will disagree with me and say formatting is a waste of time. Some people have never had any issues and they rarely ever reformat in camera or otherwise.

Others might think I am really crazy and over the top for even suggesting to erase and format my media card using my computer. I admit I am not an expert, I only know what worked for me. Ultimately the choice is yours, and you have to do what works for you!!!

But no matter what, have a great time snapping and backup backup backup!!!