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View Full Version : OK what format is a S2 CF Disk

Rockyw
January 1st, 2004, 10:05 PM
I thought a S2 likes a CF card formated as fat32. I then read someone say the S2 didn't like fat32. Whats the right thing to format if using the PC to format a card. I use the camera always BUT! one time with a new Leaxar card I needed to format in the PC. I used fat32 and it has work perfectly ever sence then.
Igor
January 2nd, 2004, 01:05 AM
It's FAT. FAT32 shouldn't work.
Bill C
January 2nd, 2004, 02:23 AM
As Igor stated, it is FAT (FAT16) - This file system has a maxiumum filespace of 2.2GB (approx. 1.9GB after formatting). So, if you have one of the new 4GB cards, approx. 1/2 of it will not be able to be used in the S2
What size card did you format in the PC?
Bill
Rockyw
January 2nd, 2004, 07:17 AM
I formated a 1 gig Lexar. It holds 77 images just like the other cards and has worked fine as fat 32.
killians913
January 2nd, 2004, 07:30 AM
This is really strange. Now I am really confused as to what the FAT is (no pun intended).
Igor
January 2nd, 2004, 07:30 AM
I formatted my 1gb IBM Microdrive in FAT32, and it didn't work with S2...
killians913
January 2nd, 2004, 07:33 AM
That's been my experience too, Igor!
Bill C
January 2nd, 2004, 07:41 AM
According to the Compact Flash Association website:

"By default, Windows XP will format any CompactFlash card having a capacity greater than 32MB with the FAT32 format. Most digital cameras use the FAT (FAT16 & FAT12) format and can not operate with a FAT32 formatted card. Either format your CompactFlash card in your camera or select FAT file system to format your CompactFlash card with a Windows XP PC."

There are a few digitals that support FAT32, including:
Canon Powershot G3, G5, S45, S50
Canon EOS 300D
Canon EOS 10D
Canon EOS-1Ds
Kodak DCS 720X (requires PCMCIA adapter)
Kodak DCS 760 (requires PCMCIA adapter)
Kodak DCS Pro Back
Kodak DCS Pro 14n
Minolta DiMAGE A1
Nikon D100
Nikon D2H
Olympus E-1
Pentax *ist D
Sony DSC-F828


To be cautious, I don't do any deleting/formatting on the PC, I do it in the camera.

By the way - this has been posted before, but here is a link to a CompactFlash Database testing results, including the S2:

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=6007

Bill
Igor
January 2nd, 2004, 07:51 AM
I always do all CF files manipulations (deleting/moving/copying/etc.) on my laptop via firewire. Never had a problem. CF card formatted FAT16.