Digital cameras 101

[marievesaumur]

Hey! i really need help!!i opened my camera this morning and i took a couple of shots then iclosed it and opened it a few minutes later and boom it says on the screen: Card error Fromat card? ok how do i re-format my card and what is that... i can't go to any options on my camera and it says nothing about it in the instrustions.. i just have a card reader and when i put my card in and go to my drive there's like nothing on the card... i really need help please!!
Mary

[ShutterbugGail]

Hi Mary,

Welcome to the Q&A Board.

Reformatting a card can usually be done by switching to the PLAY mode. Some cameras let you reformat a card in both PLAY or RECORD modes.

I'm unclear about one thing. Why can't you go to any options on your camera? Is it because of the error message?

Have you tried switching your camera dial to play mode (which is usually indicated by a little arrow)? If you can, go through the menus and select "format." The camera will format the card and, hopefully, you will no longer receive the error message.

If this doesn't work, let us know. Also tell us the model number and name of your digital camera.

By the way, when you reformat a memory card you will lose the images on it. Sometimes you can successfully recover them using image recovery software.

[Jeanne Markowski]

I am having a similar problem. I took pictures on Halloween, and then put the Smart Card in my Epson Printer card reader and downloaded the pics. Today, when I put a different card in the Olympus c3020, I got  a 'Format Card' message. When I try to format, I get 'Card Error' and can't get to any other menu, regardless if I try Play or Play back menus. I tried the card I used on Halloween, as well as two others. I have the same issue with all. I went to Olympus website, but there is no info. I am trying a reset, which as far as I can ascertain, means taking the batteries out for 24 hours. Does anyone have any experience with this problem. I hope my camera isn't shot. It worked fine 4 days ago.\
Thanks for any help

[ShutterbugGail]

Hi Jeanne and wecolme,

It's quite perplexing that so many people have problems with their memory cards. Your camera does have a reset button but that won't help since you can not access your menuing system.  

I highly recommend you contact Olympus. Here is a link to the support area for you model where you can get interactive and other help.

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_productquestions.asp?p=16&s=12&ftype=11&val=1&category=Filmless_Digital_Cameras&product=720

If you (or anyone else) finds out the cause and solution to the problem from Olympus, please share it with us.

[Jeanne Markowski]

Hi,
I called Olympus last night, and got the following fix:
Take your least valuble SmartMedia card, and a soft cloth. Wipe the card with rubbing alcohol, and put it in the card reader of the camera, then pull it out. Repeat about 7-8 times. Apparently, dirt can get in the reader and this will (sometimes) remove it. It worked for me. I can now take snaps of my grandson again. And, it didn't destroy the Smart card.
Hope this helps someone else.
Jeanne

[ShutterbugGail]

Wow, is that interesting! So glad it worked for you, and it will  help others. Thanks so much for getting back to us and sharing!