Freeing-Up SD Capacity

stevelw · 01-26-04, 04:47 AM

I currently use an X5 with a 128MB SD card. Over the weekend I decided to do some tidying up and clear a load of old files off the SD to make some space. No problem.

After deleting the files the X5 reports that the SD card has 83.92MB in use with 36.11MB free. Visual inspection of the contents of the SD with Resco's Explorer (set to show all hidden files etc) shows existing files on the SD only amount to about 12MB.

How do I find out what else is using up the storage capacity and reclaim it given that extra files don't appear to be visible. I would prefer to avoid having to copy off the data files that do remain and do a reformat of the SD if at all possible.

Thanks

01-26-04, 05:25 AM

the discrepancy isn't a terribly good sign....if you want to check memory consumption with a different program, try Where Is My RAM at http://www.aximsite.com/modules.php?...p=getit&lid=37

WIMR provides a number of file-system functions, including the ability to delete stuff.

a card reader would be a good investment....

Howard2k · 01-26-04, 06:37 AM

Let me guess, it's a Scamdisk card?

It's probably corruption in the File Allocation Table (FAT). A reformat it probably a good idea.

Bulldog · 01-26-04, 09:41 AM

What's with this "FAT" and what should my cards that need formatted or re-formatted by done as? I know it has something to do with how the data is stored and in what quantity's but that's as much as I know. Very grey area.......charcoal grey.

Place-GUID-Here · 01-26-04, 10:10 AM

FAT = File Allocation Table

it's how files are located in certain types of file systems. your cards need to be formatted in order to set up a filesystem on them in order to hold files in a logical way.

Bulldog · 01-26-04, 09:38 PM

I have the choice of several different numbers, 12,16,32 or something. what's that about?

MrKlaatu · 01-26-04, 09:46 PM

By my calculations, that's about sixty..........I say about only because you threw that "or something" in there and I don't know how to factor that into the equation.

Or, then there's THIS.

Howard2k · 01-26-04, 09:46 PM

It will tell you. It could be the table density, cluster size etc. Doesn't it say something next to it?

01-26-04, 10:59 PM

FAT12, FAT16 and FAT32 all differ by the cluster size that is allowed. FAT12 was used in the original DOS system and was very limited in terms of allowable file sizes. FAT16 allows for smaller cluster sizes than FAT12 and the maximum file size achievable is 2GB. FAT32 is more flexible than FAT12 or FAT16 and uses cluster sizes as small as 4K to allow file sizes larger than 2GB. When selecting a filesystem type to use when formatting, it all depends on the primary use of the card as each filesystem types has its advantages.

If you are primarily using your card for multimedia (mp3's or video), using FAT16 at a cluster size of 32K is desirable (because of file sizes you will have fewer files). If you are going to use the card for applications and the associated data, a FAT32 filesystem would probably be better since you will have alot more files than if you were using it for just multimedia.

The idea is that you would want to use FAT32 on a card that will hold alot of small files because you can obtain smaller cluster sizes. Use FAT16 with a larger cluster size for large files such as multimedia files.

AximPhreak · 01-26-04, 11:16 PM

umm... thanks, err... whitelyt.

I'll try to explain this in my way:

FAT12: Use it for big stuff
FAT32: Use it for little stuff
FAT16: Use it. 'Cause you never know...

MrKlaatu · 01-26-04, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Howard2k
Doesn't it say something next to it?

No, he distinctly said it said "or something", which is something, anyways. I mean it could have said "or anything", which certainly could've been disastrous, to say the least!

Think about it, if it had said "or anything", someone could've crammed a cluster of FAT Anna Nicole Smiths in there, and good Lord, what would the consequences of that have been!!??

I guess we should consider ourselve's lucky........she's past 32 (36 last year.......ummmmm, age, anyways), and she claims she's lost a lot of weight and so should no longer be FAT compatible..............OK, so sue me.......she wasn't such a good example to use!

AximPhreak · 01-26-04, 11:32 PM

What do Anna Nicole Smith and a 128MB SD card have in common, other than brain sizes?

stevelw · 01-27-04, 05:22 AM

Thanks to all respondants. I have run WIMR and the space used on the SD reported agrees with my calculation (not the X5s). Looks like I can't avoid a reformat - yes the card IS a Sandisk suplied by Dell with the unit!

Bulldog · 01-27-04, 09:47 AM

Thanks to all of you out there I now have an understanding of this technical issue!;)
I will now know what to do next time I have a card go out on me or buy another one.
Sorry I'm not the witty one, insert your own witty banter here...

MrKlaatu · 01-27-04, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AximPhreak
What do Anna Nicole Smith and a 128MB SD card have in common, other than brain sizes?

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...................I give up, what?