(→What You Need: Added "Required" for SD Formatter since people seem to think it isnt required and renamed SD Formatter to its real name SD Memory Card Formatter)
(→What You Need: added a point that says SD Memory Card Formatters name when installed (since website name and program name are different) translations might need to be fixed though as I could not figure them out)
*<translate><!--T:4--> '''Required for all SD cards''': the latest version of <tvar name="sdformatter">[https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter/sd-memory-card-formatter-for-windows-download/ SD Memory Card Formatter]</tvar></translate>
*<translate><!--T:4--> '''Required for all SD cards''': the latest version of <tvar name="sdformatter">[https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter/sd-memory-card-formatter-for-windows-download/ SD Memory Card Formatter]</tvar></translate> • Installed the program name is '''SD Card Formatter'''.
*<translate><!--T:5--> '''For SD cards 64GB or larger''': The latest version of <tvar name="guiformat">[http://ridgecrop.co.uk/index.htm?guiformat.htm guiformat]</tvar></translate>
*<translate><!--T:5--> '''For SD cards 64GB or larger''': The latest version of <tvar name="guiformat">[http://ridgecrop.co.uk/index.htm?guiformat.htm guiformat]</tvar></translate>
Revision as of 21:36, 15 August 2023
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This is an add-on section for formatting an SD card to FAT32.
This page is for Windows users only. If you are not on Windows, check out the Linux or Mac pages.
What You Need
Required for all SD cards: the latest version of SD Memory Card Formatter • Installed the program name is SD Card Formatter.
For SD cards 64GB or larger: The latest version of guiformat
Instructions
Insert your SD card into your computer
If the SD card has any files and folders on it, copy everything to a folder on your computer
Run SD Card Formatter Setup (the .exe file) in the downloaded .zip file with Administrator privileges, then install the program
Run SD Card Formatter from the Start Menu
Select your SD card’s drive letter for "Select card"
Make sure you choose the correct drive letter, otherwise you might accidentally erase the wrong drive!
Ensure that "Quick Format" is selected
Click "Format"
Click "OK"
Wait for the format to finish
Click "OK"
Close SD Card Formatter
Run guiformat.exe
Select your SD card’s drive letter for "Drive"
Make sure you choose the correct drive letter, otherwise you might accidentally erase the wrong drive!
Select a size for "Allocation unit size"
If the SD card is 64GB, choose 32768
If the SD card is larger than 64GB, choose 65536
Ensure that "Quick Format" is selected
Click "Start"
Click "OK"
Wait for the format to finish
Click "Close"
If the SD card had any files and folders on it before the format, copy everything back from your computer
Common errors with guiformat
Failed to open device: GetLastError()=32
Close everything that may be using the SD card, such as any File Explorer windows.
GetLastError()=1117
Your SD card write-protection switch may be enabled. The lock must be flipped upwards to allow writing to the SD card (including formatting).
Insert your SD card into your computer
If the SD card has any files and folders on it, copy everything to a folder on your computer
Run SD Card Formatter Setup (the .exe file) in the downloaded .zip file with Administrator privileges, then install the program
Run SD Card Formatter from the Start Menu
Select your SD card’s drive letter for "Select card"
Make sure you choose the correct drive letter, otherwise you might accidentally erase the wrong drive!
Ensure that "Quick Format" is selected
Click "Format"
Click "OK"
Wait for the format to finish
Click "OK"
Close SD Card Formatter
If the SD card had any files and folders on it before the format, copy everything back from your computer
