When a memory card is put in the camera a red screen comes up stating "CARD HAS WRONG FORMAT. Press ok to format card." When I press Menu/OK the window says, "Unable to format." I can't even get to the menu in the manual to format the memory card.

Paul,
You are using misleading words. You can format a memory card. And images can have a certain format, So I wonder what you mean.
Your camera can use the following format to save images:
5M (2592x1944pixels 4:3), 3M (2048x1536pixels 4:3),
2M (1920x1080pixels 16:9 )
VGA (640x480pixels 4:3)
To switch to another image format, press the Menu / OK button
Press the up down button till you see resolution then again press Menu / OK
with the up / down goto the format you want and press OK to confirm the selection.
The manual does not say anything about formatting the memory card. If you want to format a new memory card, put it in an external memory card reader and conner it to the computer. Format with FAT32. But my guess is, when you insert a memory card in the camera, it will show CD card inserted. that is the moment the camera will format the camera.
Success

click "format" XD

Put the card into the camera. Press the MENU button. Use up/down-arrow to select the wrench and press the OK button. Use up/down-arrow to select "Format" and press OK. Follow the on-screen prompts.

I assume you have an SD card. If it's bigger than 2GB then it's actually an SDHC card and will not work in the ZD710.

No, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong. The card just needs to be formatted. In any mode press the Menu button. Press right-arrow to select the Setup tab (camera and wrench) then press OK. Press up/down-arrow to select "Format" then press OK.

Make sure you format the memory card. It's okay to format the internal memory, of course, but your current problem appears to be that the card needs to be formatted.

Hello,

If this a new memory card, you can try to FORMAT it. Formatting will erase any contents on the card.

Use the right arrow and select the "options" menu. Press the up arrow to select "set-up", press "menu/ok". Select "format" on the menu using the down arrow. Highlight OK on the screen click "menu/ok".

power on camera press menu button scroll to setup menu push ok scroll down to format press ok scroll to memory card press ok and you done.

Great! Thanks..

In order to remove the message of write protect you will need to format the xD memory card. The card has somehow become corrupted. To format the memory card - press Ok - right arrow to Mode Menu - down arrow to Card tab - right arrow to Card Setup - right arrow to Format - Up arrow to Yes and then press Ok. This will permanently delete all images from the memory card and you will be able to start taking images again.

Have you updated the firmware for the camera? The update is available on the HP website and is relatively easy to do.

If you used the SD/MMC memory card in another brand of camera or device, you may need to format the card in your new EasyShare digital camera. (You may have noticed a "Memory Card Needs Formatting" message when you inserted the card.) CAUTION: Formatting deletes all pictures and videos, including those that are protected. Removing a card during formatting may damage the card. To format the SD/MMC memory card or the internal memory of the camera: Transfer images to the computer before formatting the memory card. Press the camera Menu button. Highlight SETUP MENU, and then press the OK button. Highlight FORMAT, and then press the OK button. Highlight an option - MEMORY CARD (deletes everything on the card), CANCEL (exits without formatting), or INTERNAL MEMORY (deletes everything in internal memory). Press the OK button. Highlight Continue, and then press the OK button. Wait until formatting is finished before removing the card. When formatting is complete, the SETUP MENU is displayed. Press the Menu button to exit the menu.