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Nov 23, 2013 at 17:17 comment added Michael C ... But the greater benefit is if the card has somehow been formatted using a different file system, such as NTFS or even an old version of DOS. In that case the camera will likely not even recognize that a valid card is in the slot.
Nov 23, 2013 at 17:15 comment added Michael C The method outlined in my answer is a known workaround for using CF cards larger than the firmware of some older Canon bodies is written to recognize (i.e a 16GB card in a camera that will only create an 8GB partition if the card is formatted by the camera). Since Canon uses the same file system even with cameras with an SD/SDHC/SDXC slot, by pre-formatting the card to include the files the camera will otherwise write on power up the camera doesn't repeat the operation. There is always a small chance that the only part of the firmware corrupted are the instructions for doing that...
Nov 23, 2013 at 15:49 comment added mattdm I'm having a hard time imagining the firmware being corrupted in a way that it can write files to the card but can't create the DCIM structure. I'm also not sure whether Canon relabels cards not formatted in camera, but I don't think the camera cares what the label is either way. I know this sounds a little pedantic, but I think you're over-complicating the instructions and possibly introducing some superstition.
Nov 23, 2013 at 15:32 comment added Michael C @Matt - Only if the card is corrupted in some way that prevents the camera from recognizing the card to begin with so it can be formatted in-camera. One case would be a card formatted with an incompatible file system. When the card is formatted in-camera in a Canon body, the camera names the volume and creates the 'DCIM' folder. If an empty card is formatted with the FAT32 file system by another device, the camera should be able to do the rest itself when powered on with the card inserted. Remember, Canon cameras are not enabled to act as generic drives when hooked to a computer.
Nov 23, 2013 at 15:20 comment added mattdm I have never heard of a camera where those last steps — labeling the card and creating the DCIM structure — are needed.
Nov 23, 2013 at 15:01 history answered Michael C CC BY-SA 3.0