[rkirshner]

as it relates to media card can someone tell me what FAT is

[JSanders]

File Allocation Table. Doesn't that apply here as well?

[Sith_Apprentice]

its the type of file structure on the media card. i believe microSD are FAT 16 and the HC are FAT32.

File Allocation Table - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[SteveO86]

FAT, File Allocation Table. Think of as the program that sets the rules on how data is stored on the media. FAT was seen on Windows 95 and really old hard drives. It was replaced with FAT32 and later NTFS (which is what is used today check the hard drive in your computer Windows 2K, XP, Vista)

[rkirshner]

can a media card work if it is not formatted

does a media card need FAT to play music and can FAT exist without formatting

[ezrunner]

I know if ya eat to much you can get FAT

OR


Drink to much BEER

[ricpac]

It should've already been formatted -> pre-formatted

[SteveO86]

No matter what media it is it will have to be formatted with some type of file system, whether it be FAT, FAT32, NTFS or some of the less popular other. Some file system has to be on the media for it to work.

I would keep it as FAT just to be safe.

[Sith_Apprentice]

the device wont recognize anything other than FAT

[rkirshner]

but a sandisck media card right out of the box won't be formatted will it ?
so when it is put into a BB why will it store and play music

[Sith_Apprentice]

you shouldnt have to do anything, the card should work

[rkirshner]

it did
but then why is there an option for formatting
in addition there are multiple posts on this board and others concerning media problems and desktop manager problems and the answer is always to format

[TroyDBrown]

Some cards get reformatted by other devices such as cameras and then you try to use them in the BlackBerry and have issues.

[rkirshner]

thanks

[crossbones]

Originally Posted by rkirshner

it did
but then why is there an option for formatting
in addition there are multiple posts on this board and others concerning media problems and desktop manager problems and the answer is always to format

Because it means you can wipe the entire card without deleting everything manually by selecting Format. Format also repairs the filesystem cirrectky so if it is corrupted then it will go back to the way it should.

[Dubdub]

No need to format a media card out of the package. It will work as it is supposed to. Formatting might even mess it up.