BCD436HP/BCD536HP: Formatting The SD Card

[dgregjones]

I purchased a 32gb micro SD card to upgrade my 436 and wanted to know the best method to reformat the disk. I have checked out the website mentioned in the manual and also watched a Youtube video where the disk was formatted using the Sentinel software. Using the Sentinel software seems to be easy, but wanted to know what the best method would be. Are there advantages/disadvantages to either? Which is best in your opinion?
Also, what problems, or difficulties might I encounter? I am aware that the card holder is flimsy and must be handled delicately.
Thanks in advance, I respect your expertise and opinions.
Duke
Epsom, NH

 

[VK3RX]

Mentioned before here in various threads, best to format SD cards with SD Formatter:

https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_4/index.html

 

[Voyager]

Use the links that are provided in many threads which you've likely already seen (SDFormatter). Format it for FAT or FAT32, but I think that's all SDFormatter supports, so you should be good there.

Sentinel will not format the drive, but post-formatting you will want to use CLEAR USER DATA in order to write the required files to the new card. After that, use it as normal.

 

[muchomorek]

Start a command prompt, and start the DISKPART console. List all of your disks by typing LIST DISK, then select the proper disk with SELECT DISK # (where # is obviously the SD card). You can then type CLEAN (MAKE SURE YOU SELECTED THE PROPER DISK!), and it will clear the partition table on the card.

To create a primary partition to reuse the space on the card, type CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY. This will then reallocate the previously "cleaned" space.

To format, type FORMAT FS=FAT32 QUICK, and finally, to reassign a drive letter, type ASSIGN.

If you're unable to determine the proper disk, remove the SD card, run DISKPART and LIST DISK, and then re-run it with the SD card inserted. The SD card is just the disk that has been added.

 

[dgregjones]

Thank you for your replies.
Mission accomplished.
Duke