My camera tells me the sd card has to be formatted to use it. There are pictures on there already and it wont let me upload them to my computer so they are saved because formatting will delete all of the pictures. Is there a way for me to get my pictures then format it?

There are two possibilities that I can think of. 1) The SD card is full. You will need to copy the pictures off the SD card and onto your computer, then format the card. You can probably do this in the camera, but MAKE SURE you have copied the pictures you want to your computer because the format will erase everything. 2) The SD card is write protected. Look closely at the SD card there is a little slide switch that "locks" the SD card so that your camera cannot put any pictures on it. This slide switch must be in the unlocked position (or NOT locked).
Hope this helps.

The computer uses a small program to be able to upload pictures from the memory card once the pictures are safely on the computer hard drive hopefully you created a file folder for them then the memory card needs to be formatted in the camera. Formatting the memory card cleans the card and makes it compatible to the camera again. Every time you download images to the computer the memory needs formatting in the camera. Any new memory card needs formatting in the camera a card that has been formatted in the computer needs to be reformatted in the camera. Also please be aware that there is a protection lock on the side of the SD card and if placed in the incorrect orientation will actually lock the card from formatting or deleting files on the card. I'm going to include a diagram here to show you where this little switch need to be for the "unlock" position.

Switch needs to be towards the top of the card in the direction of the gold contacts

Yesterday, did you use the computer to delete the older pictures? Don't ever do that. For now, you can use a card reader to download your pictures to your computer. After they are safely downloaded, format the card in the camera and don't let it get that full again.

It sounds like your SD card might be faulty.
It is very unfortunate since the only thing that can help this is to format the card, which will delete the information on the card.

Before formatting I would try to transfer the pictures using a card-reader or go to a shop to see if they are able to retrieve the pictures for you.

Instructions to format the SD card:
Menu
Format
Press OK

Use a separate card reader to download your pics to a computer...then, format the card in the camera.

If I understand you correctly, you put pics onto the SD card using the computer, then put the card in the camera and now can't see the pics? Is that correct? The camera won't recognize the pics because it uses a different recording system than the computer. Now if you want to take more pictures using that card, you will need to format it in the camera first.

If your pc tells you the sd card is infected it means you have an AntiVirus running. You can use it to remove the virus by SCANNING the card.

You can also get rid of the virus by FORMATTING the card using the camera. The Format option (NOT EARASE) is usualy found in the settings menu. But beware, you will lose all the pictures as well.

if you managed to format the sd card BEFORE tranrferring the pictures to the PC, then yes, they are gone I am afraid.

Consider NOT connecting your camera to your computer.


The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB or FireWire). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries.


Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use any photo cataloging program such as Picasa.

shag70:
Please check the format of the card it has been formatted with. Try formatting it on the computer and then use it to upload and download pictures on the computer as well as your phone.
Let me know!