format smartmedia?

"You stick the card in your camera, and get the message "Card Error" Buying a new card is almost inevitable."

That is not necessarily true. I have received card errors before, and all I had to do (after trying numerous things) is use a digital camera cleaning kit. It included an SM-shaped card with a pink surface. I pushed it in the camera's slot, removed it, and repeated a couple of times. The pink surface then had black lines on it from the camera's slot. I don't know if it was dirt or oxidation, but I was then able to use my SM cards without getting the card errors.

Avery
October 2010

I just had the same problem with mu Fuji camera..I just put the media card back in the camera and accessed the camera menu and formatted the card again..it seemed to work as I don't get an error message now and can take photos again..Hope this helps someone!

Lesley
March 2010

i can reformat smartmedia cards and recover lost data contact me on metalmickuk@yahoo.com money back if they dont work.

mick grant
June 2008

This program fixed it in 10 seconds!:


http://l33t.spod.org/ratx/gp32/smcrecover/

-Micah

Micah
March 2008

When I erased files using a card reader and my computer, from my Smartmedia card, the format was screwed up and it was no longer recognized by my Olympus z-3030 camera. Solution - I used a bulk tape eraser I purchased for erasing video tape. I zapped the smartmedia for about 10 seconds with the bulk eraser, and then formatted it in the camera. Success. I repeated this with another sm card with the same results. Try it.

Ron
June 2006

You stick the card in your camera, and get the message "Card Error" Buying a new card is almost inevitable. I lost an 8mb, and had a 64mb card at the edge of the old round file.

What has happens, is that "Windows" formating has corrupted the smart media format on the card. This happens when you edit or delete files on the card thru a card reader attached to your computer. It is always a good idea to delete files, and format your card only in the camera. Otherwise you risk the "Card Error" message the next time you try to use the card in your camera.

The cards can be recovered, but only by recovering the original formatting. (...)
I had no clue what was being said here, but the breadth of what I read sent my 8mb smart media card to the trash.

When I lost my 64mb card to a similar error. I felt it was worth trying to restore the formatting. But the above web site had some OS restrictions and didn't seem to work without significant hardware, software, and knowledge. Seeing all the people with similar errors led me to believe that someone had to have a simple way to recover the card to it's original state. This is when I discoved WinHex. (...)

WinHex used a simple copy and paste editor GUI, and some conveneintly supplied DAT files to fix the "Card Error".
It is possible that other "hex" editors can do the same thing as long as you have the proper DAT file to replace the damaged file system.
Buying a new card is always an option though... : )

keith wilson
May 2006

Your smartmedia card has been corrupted. The FAT table or file structure of your smartmedia card has been altered by your computers card reader. Your camera does not recognize the card and will not read or write to it. This problem can be repaired. Try www.smartmediarepair.com I have used this companies service and they have a quick turnaround time. Staff is very friendly and will answer any questions you have. You could try fixing it yourself. There are certain card readers that have a reformat program. The programs are specific to the card reader. Good luck.

Lauren
November 2005