Hey guys, I've tried for a while to find an answer to a problem I've been having with my digital camera - a Casio Exilim. I have a 2 gig memory card, but even after deleting all of the pictures off of it, I take one picture and it says "Memory Full".

I think the problem happened because I was deleting the pictures off of the camera from my computer instead of directly from the camera. However, it seems like I should be able to do a quick fix and delete everything from the memory card in order to use it, but I can't figure it out - no files are showing on the card. I'm sure there's some kind of corrupt data in there that's taking up all the space.

Any ideas without having to go to a camera shop or calling tech support?

Thanks!

You should be able to format the card in the camera.  This will completely rebuilt the FAT structure from new.  Do this EVERY time you dump the images to your computer.

Reformat the card using the camera.

Ok, I'll try that, thanks gents. I assume there's some kind of reformat option? Sorry, I'm kind of technologically-challenged  :-[

When viewing all your hard disks right click on the memory card and select format and then select start. That is all you need to do.

One thing to keep in mind is, when you have anything memory wise connected to your computer there is an in the set of small icons by the system clock to Safely Remove Hardware, if available use it. If not you run the risk of corrupting your data, 99 times out of 100 it may be okay, but that one time.......

You should be able to format the card in the camera. This will completely rebuilt the FAT structure from new. Do this EVERY time you dump the images to your computer.

John, why? What if one wants to keep some images on the card? On each camera I've formatted the card only once at the start. What am I at risk for?

The only reason I can think of is it keeps the card in a like new state because it is completely clean, but I have never had to format any of my memory cards. I wouldn't format the card with the exception of having the card for quite a while with heavy use or you suspect possible corruption.

You should be able to format the card in the camera. This will completely rebuilt the FAT structure from new. Do this EVERY time you dump the images to your computer.

John, why? What if one wants to keep some images on the card? On each camera I've formatted the card only once at the start. What am I at risk for?

You are at risk of performance issues, file corruption, and other issues.  I understand many like to keep a few images on their cards, and they can be rewritten to the card after formatting.  Most cameras show as a writable drive in Explorer (My Computer), and the images you want can be dragged and dropped there.

Drag & drop is the only way I transfer my photos.

By the way, there was a format option on my camera, which I did, and the camera and memory card are working perfectly now. Thanks guys, much appreciated :-)

OK, now that that disaster is averted,

Get a cardreader!!!

What's a cardreader?  :-[

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/519332-REG/SanDisk_SDDR_121R_MobileMate_Micro_Memory_Card.html

Thanks, looks cool, but it seems I'd just be adding a step to the process. I can just hook up my camera to my comp and transfer the pictures. I just need to remember not to delete the pictures from my finder window, but from my camera instead.

Its invaluable, if you have multiple cards.  Plus, you do not ever have to worry about whether you have enough gas in the camera's battery when you get home from a trip to transfer the images.  If your camera dies in the middle of the transfer, you run a very good risk of losing the images.  They usually can be recovered, though, using a cardreader and something like PC Inspector Recovery.  Its also WAYYY faster than using the cam.

As far as deleting from the camera - just format the camera after dumping the image files - its much faster, and you'll get better write times from your cam.

Cardreader x2

Format cards after download x100

Thanks John (didn't notice the answer, that's why I'm four days late).