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Should I throw away my SD card?
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Jun 13, 2018 10:32:44   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
DirtFarmer wrote:
I suspect it's more likely that the camera could put information on the card during formatting.

While I also suspect it usually doesn't make any difference, it's easy enough to format in the camera so I do it that way.


What I implied. Camera manufacturer via the camera.

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Jun 13, 2018 10:37:45   #
jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ
 
What kind of a card reader are you using? Is it UDMA3 compliant?
BebuLamar wrote:
I have a Lexar 32GB SD card and often when I put it in the card reader and connect to Windows 10 PC Windows asked me to let it check and repair the card. I formatted the card in the camera but then it still do that. Several timers already I wonder something is wrong with the card. Should I get rid of the card?

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Jun 13, 2018 11:00:42   #
Naldo
 
I spoke to Lexar directly about this card formatting question, and here is the definitive answer I was given:

There are three (3) levels of card formatting. Listed from minimal to maximum, they are

1. In-camera formatting (we all know and use this one)

2. Computer operating-system formatting

3. Low-Level formatting (provided by a memory card company via a utility program which you download onto your computer)


They said that most of the time you will only format in-camera, but that you should occasionally/regularly do a double high-level format to all your cards (meaning computer OS formatting and then in-camera formatting) just to help keep your cards cleaned up on an ongoing basis. Low level formatting provided by a memory card company via a utility program should be done to any cards which you have any reason to suspect, or which have been in use for a very long time.

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Jun 13, 2018 11:21:08   #
gerdog
 
Most often, it is because the camera formatted the card in a different file structure than Windows uses. Nothing wrong with the card itself if you can see the pictures stored on it in your camera screen. A Linux format will get that same error message from Windows.

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Jun 13, 2018 11:23:48   #
Naldo
 
DirtFarmer wrote:
It's nice to hear that Lexar warrants their cards for 5 years. However, their warranty states "You must have proof of purchase and obtain warranty service authorization from Seller, including a Return Materials Authorization, or RMA, number within the applicable warranty period before returning defective products to Seller".

Do you keep your receipts? For $10-30 items? for 5 years? Are you willing to go to the trouble of getting a RMA for a small value item like that? What if you bought it from a place that went out of business? (You have to return it to the seller, not the manufacturer).

This is probably one of those warranties that look good but have little practical value. . .
It's nice to hear that Lexar warrants their cards ... (show quote)


DirtFarmer, you are mistaken on 2 points.
1. The Lexar warranty is not 5 years, it is LIFETIME.
2. You do not deal with the seller (at all) for warranty but only directly with Lexar themselves, who are more than happy to give you an RMA number to send it back.

I've got to stand up for Lexar on this one:

In 2004, I bought a Lexar 512MB CF card for my D70 at $89 at the same time as buying the camera. It has worked flawlessly for all these years, without a hint of trouble. Very recently, it started giving me problems with corrupted files. I never tried to low-level format it, and Lexar didn't even ask me to try. They took it back under their LIFETIME WARRANTY without any problem, and sent me a brand-new modern Lexar 32GB card to replace it. I did have a copy of my receipt for the Lexar 512 MB card because it was with my original camera receipt and owner's manual. They were GREAT to deal with, and they were more than happy to replace my card.

LEXAR STANDS BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS!!

Great Company!!

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Jun 13, 2018 11:38:40   #
Stardust Loc: Central Illinois
 
Well, think we exhausted the topic on what to do with SD cards and all future new posts on the subject should be directed back to this thread, for I predict the question will be asked again in a few weeks. As new as I am to UHH this is at least the 3rd-4th time have read about the topic. (grinning)

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Jun 13, 2018 11:41:48   #
John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN
 
Are you able to transfer the images from card to conputer? If yes, ignore W10.

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Jun 13, 2018 11:48:59   #
RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas
 
BebuLamar wrote:
I have a Lexar 32GB SD card and often when I put it in the card reader and connect to Windows 10 PC Windows asked me to let it check and repair the card. I formatted the card in the camera but then it still do that. Several timers already I wonder something is wrong with the card. Should I get rid of the card?


Micron sold Lexar to a Chinese company. I’d get a new card like SanDisk cards are real reasonable in price now.

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Jun 13, 2018 12:17:01   #
nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY
 
The SD Card Association, who creates standards for SD cards, says you shouldn't format SD cards with an OS's formatting tool. Download
their SD Card Formatter app (for Windows and Mac) and see if makes a difference. https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_4/

I've seen compact digital cameras that say NOT to use a computer to format the SD card, only let the camera do it. Maybe this is good advice too.

I can't say what the BEST practice is, but one of these may be the answer.

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Jun 13, 2018 12:29:05   #
therwol Loc: USA
 
BebuLamar wrote:
I have a Lexar 32GB SD card and often when I put it in the card reader and connect to Windows 10 PC Windows asked me to let it check and repair the card. I formatted the card in the camera but then it still do that. Several timers already I wonder something is wrong with the card. Should I get rid of the card?


I get that error when I take pictures off of the micro SD card in my phone.. I've allowed Windows 10 to "repair" the card, and I still get the error. I don't know what it means, but the card works.

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Jun 13, 2018 12:36:49   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
Capn_Dave wrote:
I have no idea why people say format only in the camera.


One reason might be the fact that the camera manufacturers may warn against it. I just checked the manual for the Nikon D500. On page 16 it states, "Do not format memory cards in a computer".

I'm not saying you should or shouldn't, but folks who say you shouldn't have a pretty good reason. If you weigh taking advice from the device manufacturer or a stranger on the internet ...

--

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Jun 13, 2018 12:44:19   #
RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA
 
Stardust wrote:
Well, think we exhausted the topic on what to do with SD cards and all future new posts on the subject should be directed back to this thread, for I predict the question will be asked again in a few weeks. As new as I am to UHH this is at least the 3rd-4th time have read about the topic. (grinning)

And the first and sixth replies answered the question!

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Jun 13, 2018 12:50:09   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
RWR wrote:
And the first and sixth replies answered the question!


But we must all like to be heard, as your post and the one you responded to and my response all prove. None of them add anything useful!

--

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Jun 13, 2018 13:02:02   #
DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA
 
Longshadow wrote:
What I implied. Camera manufacturer via the camera.


Sorry, brain fart. Read card manufacturer for camera manufacturer.

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Jun 13, 2018 13:06:52   #
DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA
 
Naldo wrote:
DirtFarmer, you are mistaken on 2 points.
1. The Lexar warranty is not 5 years, it is LIFETIME.
2. You do not deal with the seller (at all) for warranty but only directly with Lexar themselves, who are more than happy to give you an RMA number to send it back.

I've got to stand up for Lexar on this one:

In 2004, I bought a Lexar 512MB CF card for my D70 at $89 at the same time as buying the camera. It has worked flawlessly for all these years, without a hint of trouble. Very recently, it started giving me problems with corrupted files. I never tried to low-level format it, and Lexar didn't even ask me to try. They took it back under their LIFETIME WARRANTY without any problem, and sent me a brand-new modern Lexar 32GB card to replace it. I did have a copy of my receipt for the Lexar 512 MB card because it was with my original camera receipt and owner's manual. They were GREAT to deal with, and they were more than happy to replace my card.

LEXAR STANDS BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS!!

Great Company!!
DirtFarmer, you are mistaken on 2 points. br 1. ... (show quote)


OK, I didn't check the details and copied another post on the 5 year warranty. I've never had a Lexar card go bad so never dealt with the manufacturer. Mea Culpa.
The quote was from http://www.lexar.com/support/warranties/ and pretty clearly wrote "seller" as opposed to "manufacturer".

On further reflection, "Seller" may be Lexar, so that leaves them open to sell cards manufactured elsewhere. An example of how legal language can be unclear.

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