How To: Format a memory card using a card reader and a Windows PC

Sometimes it's necessary to format your memory card in your mobile phone or digital camera, just like you need to format a hard drive, because of virus problems or slower speeds. This video will show you the steps to formatting (or reformatting) the SD memory card for a cell phone, using a memory card reader. You'll also get details about a write protect error that could happen.

Before you begin, make sure you backup everything on your memory card, because it will all be erased during formatting.

Step 1: Insert the memory card into the memory card reader.
Step 2: Plug your memory card reader in any of the USB port on your computer.
Step 3: Open My Computer in Windows.
Step 4: Right click the drive that belongs to the card reader and choose FORMAT from the menu. (A window appears on the screen)
Step 5: Choose the desired file system type from file system drop down menu.
Step 6: Type in the volume label for your memory card in the volume label text box and then press the Start button to start formatting of the memory card.
Step 7: A warning message will be appeared on the screen showing that all the data in the memory card will be erased. Press the OK button to start formatting process.
Step 8: A message will be appeared on the screen "Format complete". This means your memory card is successfully formatted.

Note: If other than this message is appeared on the screen such as "Memory card is write protected" then

* Check the lock of the memory card adapter, if you're using one.
* Check whether the memory card is inserted into the card reader properly.
* Check whether the memory card is inserted into the adopter properly or not, if you're using one.