Suggestions for SD card format

[lazerin]

I would like to use my 256mb SD card to store apps, games, mp3s and maybe a few video clips. What format should I set it to? FAT16 or FAT32? Also, what cluster size should it be at?

[tanalasta]

In general, FAT 32 with the largest cluster size should ensure optimal speeds and performance. Some sandisk cards don't take kindly to small cluster sizes so that's another reason for using a larger cluster size. "slack space" isn't really an issue unless you're short of space.

[Kowalski]

so how do you change the format of the card?

[wocket]

Flash Format is a great little app for doing it or Pocket mechanic.

You can get them from Handango and trials are available.

[dmacburry2003]

I formatted a major card like that from 16 to 32. The only thing that changed was it got an additional .1 megabytes. I didn't notice any differences in speed or reliability.

[Dave Potter]

I formatted a major card like that from 16 to 32. The only thing that changed was it got an additional .1 megabytes. I didn't notice any differences in speed or reliability.

Interesting - I found the exact opposite. FAT 32 gave me less space than FAT 16
(I know - it doesn't make sense to me either)

[dmacburry2003]

I don't think it really gave me extra space, I just think that there was an error when I deleted all of the files off the card and then formatted it. I think it showed 61.2 MB's after deleting the files and then 61.3 after formatting. However, if there would have been an error after deletion, it would have said something like .1 MB's used of 61.3, but it didn't so it could go both ways.

[bmhome1]

Pocket Mechanic is great having pre-configured formatting sets selectable from a performance options menu to easily try out the different combinations and see which works best for your needs.