to Format or not to Format?

[gomer4378]

I was curious about what everyone does for their routine with thier memory cards.
do you Format your card after you have downloaded to your cmputer or just delete and why would one be better than the other?

I have always click, download, delete. (repeat)

I dont think I have Formatted my card in over a year.

Formatting make sure the little electrons act like good little boys and not NAWTY bois!!!

[gomer4378]

When you Format doesnt it restart your file count again or is that dedicated to in camera?

[RichardTaylor]

I format in camera.
For some Canon cameras the file numbering is controlled by menu choices including continuous.

Check your camera instruction manual.

[nickbedford]

Formatting is the best way. This makes sure the file system is completely fresh and free of errors.

Also, the file number should be managed by the camera, not by what's on the memory card since formatting is pretty similar to deleting all the photos.

[mshockley]

I format after each and every download

[NicoleScraps]

I format (in camera) after every download. I learned the hard way just how important this is, by losing a whole memory card's worth of photos a couple of years ago.

[Saralonde]

I'm the same. Shoot, download, format. Repeat.

[gomer4378]

I guess I will start to Format, maybe I have just been lucky to never lose anything yet in over a year.

Thank you everyone.

[Barbara V]

Wow, had no idea about this tip. Just formatted the card I've had for over a year. Will keep up with it now.