spikejames
asked on
Formatting 4gb MicroDrive/CF card as a 2gb drive
This is probably a no-go, but thought I would try:
I have a 4gb MicroDrive CF card that I would like to use with my Nikon D1X. Problem is, much to my chagrin, the D1X does not work with anything above 2gb, even with the firmware upgrade (which I was told it would do, but never mind that).
Got the thing at a very good price, so will still be a good deal at 2gb, which I think the D1X will read using FAT16.
So, the question is: How can I format the card to 2gb? I've formatted it with FAT16, but of course it is still a 4gb drive. The camera now kinda sees it (an improvement over its original FAT32 formatting), but it thinks it has 0 storage space left. Even after formatting the card in the camera, it still behaves the same -- which I pretty much expected. It seems to me that since the MicroDrive is really just a little teeny-tiny hard disk, maybe you can format it just like a regular hard disk. But whatever I used to know about DOS commands I've forgotten.
Is there a set of FORMAT command parameters that will allow me to use the MicroDrive as a FAT16 2gb device?
I have a 4gb MicroDrive CF card that I would like to use with my Nikon D1X. Problem is, much to my chagrin, the D1X does not work with anything above 2gb, even with the firmware upgrade (which I was told it would do, but never mind that).
Got the thing at a very good price, so will still be a good deal at 2gb, which I think the D1X will read using FAT16.
So, the question is: How can I format the card to 2gb? I've formatted it with FAT16, but of course it is still a 4gb drive. The camera now kinda sees it (an improvement over its original FAT32 formatting), but it thinks it has 0 storage space left. Even after formatting the card in the camera, it still behaves the same -- which I pretty much expected. It seems to me that since the MicroDrive is really just a little teeny-tiny hard disk, maybe you can format it just like a regular hard disk. But whatever I used to know about DOS commands I've forgotten.
Is there a set of FORMAT command parameters that will allow me to use the MicroDrive as a FAT16 2gb device?
Last Comment
rindi
If you are using XP or 2k on your PC, then right-click "My Computer" and select "Manage". Now click on "Diskmanagement" and you should see the CF Drive. Right click on it and delete all the partitions on it, then right click it again. Now you should be able to create a new partition and here you can select the size you want. When the partition is created you can format it.
Here , " http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q255867/ "
You should "Fdisk" your CF card with only 50%, or 2Gb !
Then format it !
This is done in " CMD mode ", but Rindi's way is Graphical mode, choose what you like hte most !
Best Regards !
You should "Fdisk" your CF card with only 50%, or 2Gb !
Then format it !
This is done in " CMD mode ", but Rindi's way is Graphical mode, choose what you like hte most !
Best Regards !
For the Format command, just type " Format /? " and there you go !
Best Regards !
Best Regards !
ASKER
Windows does not allow me to change the partition size to anything but the default (4gb), using the disk management tool -- seems to be the only option using Removable Drives.
And with FDISK or Format ??
What are you able to see ?
Best Regards !
What are you able to see ?
Best Regards !
Run FDISK from a cmd prompt, you can then select the card and delete any existing partitions that are on it, once done you need to create a partition on it but when prompted for the size type 50% and the remainder will not be used. You can then format the partition using FORMAT, but check the options ( format /? ) first to see how to format it as fat.
Nice one, Steve, just like I said earlier :)
Best Regards !
Best Regards !
ASKER
I am having a hard time finding an fdisk to use. All the PCs I use or have access to only have 2000 or XP. Is there another tool besides Format, Fdisk, or XP disk mgmt?
Go to this site : " http://freepctech.com/pc/002/files010.shtml "
And Download, under Special Boot Disks --> Boot Disk Essentials .
Then do the Fdisk !
Best Regards !
And Download, under Special Boot Disks --> Boot Disk Essentials .
Then do the Fdisk !
Best Regards !
ASKER
This is a bit of a catch-22. The Fdisk won't run from cmd (Incorrect MS-DOS version). But if you boot from the floppy, you won't see the USB CF reader.
Forget that part ( Goold old Dos ) :)
Sorry !
Best Regards !
Sorry !
Best Regards !
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ASKER
Thanks, rindi, my guess is that your advice would work, but I'm thinking there is some kind of issue with the drive itself. Found a couple of utilities that seem like they should work, but the formatting goes verrrry slowly, and then finally after several hours of chugging along, dies.
I think I will just try to see if I can get my money back. Ah well, I knew I was trying something unlikely...
I'm giving the points to rindi, since I will undoubtedly use the UBCD for other things in the future...
I think I will just try to see if I can get my money back. Ah well, I knew I was trying something unlikely...
I'm giving the points to rindi, since I will undoubtedly use the UBCD for other things in the future...
thanks
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