Formatting smart media cards regularly can extend their lifespans.
To keep your digital camera's smart media cards at their most functional, you need to format them regularly. Formatting erases all the information on the card and rebuilds the card's filing system, optimizing it for use in a specific camera. Without formatting, smart media cards are more prone to corruption, which can cause any images stored on the card to be lost forever. Many digital cameras will force you to format the card the first time you use it. Some experts recommend that you reformat the card every time you move the images from the card to a computer for permanent storage.
Instructions
1. Insert the smart media card in your digital camera. In many cameras it is within the battery compartment.
2. Turn on the camera and press the "Menu" button.
3. Find the "Format" option under the "Set-Up" menu in many cameras.
4. Press "OK" when the camera asks you to verify that you want to erase all data from the card.
5. Wait for the camera to format the card. Then take pictures as usual.
Tags: media cards, smart media, smart media cards, your digital camera, digital camera, format card, from card