My daughters nintendo ds keeps coming up with sd.tf card error.have read about formatting the card but will i loose all the data and pre loaded games?have also read about downloading a kernal which i have looked at but there are so many i am unsure as to which one i should download

Hi anna21,

Formatting the card may fix the problem however you will loose all the data on the card. I have a solution here that can help you but you need a SD Card Reader on your computer to back up the files.

1. Put the SD Card in your Card Reader.
2. Connect it to your PC.
3. If the window pop-up like asking to open with what program select Open as File.
4. If the window does not pop-up, Go to My Computer/Computer. There should be the SD Card Memory.
5. Backup all the save file in your SD Card in other word copy the whole SD card. Save it in your computer. Make sure you remember where you put it.
6. Reformat the SD Card by Right Click and click Fromat
7. Tick Quick Format
8. After it finish formatting, Try open the SD Card. It should be empty.
9. Put back all the copied file back into SD Memory Card.
10. Plug it on your DS. Check the files. Play and Enjoy

Rate me if this helps so I can help others. Thanks for using Fixya.

Is there a cartidge in he ds when you boot up?
Can you boot up without one inside?

This problem is most likely caused by corrupt data on your SD card. Your best bet is to format the SD card and and reload the backed up data if you have any.

I hope the info listed above has helped in some way.
If possible please rate this solution.

The DS is telling you that the SD Memory card is faulty. Or at least thats what it "Thinks".

Hey there Colin,

The original R4 card only works with Micro-SD cards up to 2GB in size. To use Micro-SD cards up to 32GB, you need to buy the newer R4 SDHC card or a Nintendo DSi comaptible card. Check out R4 Cards / R4 DS Cards from DSCardWorld.com or NDS-Gear.com (NDS-Gear is probably better if you live in Europe or Canada as their shipping's slightly better internationally).

Good luck!

I use to have similar problems with my DS Card :(. In the end, I end up buying a new one - I personally use http://www.NDS-Gear.com

Apparently, the Sd/tf message occurs when there is a problem with the connection between the micro SD and the DS Card or between the DS card and the DS. You can try giving your micro SD a good clean ( give it a good blow) and see if that makes any difference. Also, I heard that sticking some papers at the back of the DS Card works for some people. If nne of this work, you would robably want to buy a new one or try and get a repalcement from your seller.

DID SHE DROP IT SOMETHIN PROBABLY WAS MISPLACED

just delete games and reload those cards do that all the time, make sure you drag the games into the themes folder.open system folder you will find the themes /games folder in there.enjoy

what ds card you are use? e.g. ds-one, supercard... etc ?

You might have a driver loose, try to re-copy all ds card driver to your memory sd, within cd support included of the pack,. or you'll need re-format your sd then copy your game at the right folder.. and try again..

Hope this helps..

to format the card is pretty simple really, all you have to do is:-

make sure your card is plugged in with the p.c same as you drag and drop
go to my computer
look for where your flash drive is
dont click into it, right click it
a little list will show
go to format
then click start (dont use quick format)