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DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> Problem formatting memory card
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02/21/2008 08:31:07 PM · #1
I have an 8GB memory Stick Pro Duo that when formatted by my camera then inserted into the card reader on my computer prompts me to format the card. If I format it in Windows XP, then it will work in both the the card reader and the camera. The catch is that XP only wants to let me format it as a 4GB card.

What can I do to format it as an 8GB card in XP?
02/21/2008 08:46:35 PM · #2
Hmmmm. Since it is formatting to 4GB, I expect that XP is using FAT32 as the file system. If it were using FAT16, then you'd be seeing a 2GB limit. Using FAT32 you *should* be able to format the entire 8GB.
Just out of curiosity, if you format it in XP at 4GB, then use Device Manager to look at the volumes on the drive, does Device manager see the free space, or not?
To get this information:
- Insert the card in the reader on the PC
- Right-click "My Computer" and open Properties
- Choose the Hardware tab, click Device manager
- Expand the Disk Drives item in the list
- Double-click on the drive
- Choose the Volumes Tab and click the Populate button

ETA: The information will look like this:



Does it report the unallocated space as being about 4GB (4096 MB)?

Message edited by author 2008-02-21 20:51:15.
02/21/2008 08:52:59 PM · #3
It sees the capacity at 3606MB and Unallocated space and Reserved space at 0MB.
02/21/2008 09:06:19 PM · #4
Originally posted by jpeters:

It sees the capacity at 3606MB and Unallocated space and Reserved space at 0MB.


Aha. Well, at least we know why it won't format to 8GB in XP. XP cannot see that there is additional capacity there. I'd guess it has something to do with the controller on the memory card. What camera are you using this in?
02/21/2008 09:07:12 PM · #5
Sony DSC-W200.
02/21/2008 09:18:28 PM · #6
I had a problem once with a camera that would not support the larger cards--so it would only "see" them and format them at half capacity.
02/21/2008 09:20:55 PM · #7
Originally posted by chromeydome:

I had a problem once with a camera that would not support the larger cards--so it would only "see" them and format them at half capacity.


Well, in this case it is not the camera. An in camera format will allow access to the full 8GB. Windows XP is the problem here, in that it is only seeing less than 4GB.
02/21/2008 09:27:20 PM · #8
hmmmm.... So, if you had 8g worth of photos on the card, connected the camera to pc via usb, would you see all of the files, or only half, I wonder. Is there any chance the problem is with your reader? I know when I recently got myself some Sandisk Extreme III 4G SD cards, I needed the new reader (fortunately bundled with the card).
02/21/2008 09:30:45 PM · #9
Originally posted by jpeters:

Sony DSC-W200.


Figures that a Sony cam can see all of the card. As another poster suggested, try connecting the cam to the PC and looking at the card that way, see if it shows all 8GB.
If it does, and it probably will, then it's something to do with the controller. Sony is probably doing some proprietary things, and your reader and/or the OS may not understand them.
02/21/2008 09:35:23 PM · #10
When the camera is connected via USB the computer can access all 8GB. Is there any way around this controller issue?
02/21/2008 10:12:04 PM · #11
Originally posted by jpeters:

When the camera is connected via USB the computer can access all 8GB. Is there any way around this controller issue?


I did a little Googling, but I found nothing immediately that suggests a solution. Is the reader you are using made by Sony, or by a third party? If third party, perhaps try a Sony reader?
02/21/2008 10:15:33 PM · #12
It's a TEAC, so I guess I will be looking into a Sony now....

Thanks for all the help, though!

Message edited by author 2008-02-21 22:15:50.
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