I have read several comments about deleting over and over destroying the reliability of your memory card if you do not re-format. I am SOOOO quilty of this!
Can anyone please give me some advise on my Kodak 6490 digital and 256MB memory card before I leave in December?

quote:

Originally posted by AZRachel1:
I have read several comments about deleting over and over destroying the reliability of your memory card if you do not re-format. I am SOOOO quilty of this!
Can anyone please give me some advise on my Kodak 6490 digital and 256MB memory card before I leave in December?

AZRache11,
The problem with only deleting and not formatting is that when you delete you really do not delete the entire file , bits and pieces remain. In time, the remnants accumulate enough clutter to interfere with the optimum operation of the card. You can compare it with deleting a file from your computer; a deleted file remains on your computer until the space it occupies is eventually overwritten by new data. With proper software, anyone could recover those files. That's why some people (I, for one) have a shredder installed on their computer.

Your camera should have a format feature that is accessed through its menu. You don't have to format after each deletion, but it should be done on a regular basis. Obviously, any image on the card is destroyed with formatting.

Bob

I always reformat the memory card every time I copy the previous "batch" of pictures from it. Not only, as Bob says, does this recreate the file system on the card and hence remove any possibility of "clutter" building up on the card but, at least on my camera, reformatting is the fastest way of "cleaning out" the card.

Bob, what is this shredder that you have on your computer? I'm assuming it's a piece of software that truly deletes files. This sounds like something I could use.

quote:

Originally posted by RaroGirl:
Bob, what is this shredder that you have on your computer? I'm assuming it's a piece of software that truly deletes files. This sounds like something I could use.

Rarogirl,

Yes, it is software and is often included with virus protection packages, although I believe they can be had as a "stand alone" utility. I consider it as crucial as virus protection and "spyware" protection.

The software can be configured to shred any file you delete (you can still choose to not shred files that you feel you may want to recover from the Recycle Bin) and once shredded it is absolutely impossible because the software immediately writes over the deleted file with random characters. You can set the degree of overwrite that it does. By default it writes over 7 times which is the US government standard; you can choose more or less.

To make it easier, 3 types of files are preselected: Temporary Internet files which accumulate as you browse the web including a copy of every image you have downloaded. They can remain there for a very long time if not deleted. Another group is the computer's History file which is a list of EVERY WEB SITE you have visited whether you have gone there intentionally or not, and thirdly is the Recycle Bin.

Also, many versions will have a function to erase "free space" which is that part of your hard drive that does not have active files but still retains files that were previously erased using the standard delete method.

My view is that we never know when a computer will leave our possession, whether if it needs to go in for repair (anybody that is in the business of repairing computers definitely has the utility to retrieve lost files) or confiscated by authorities, whether legit or not. Just look at any news program. What is the first thing you see authorities removing from the house and there goes all your correspondence, financial records and everything else you thought was secure and private.

So, that's it in a "nutshell" - any other questions, ask. It's not as complicated as it may sound.

Cheers,
Bob
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This message has been edited. Last edited by: rmonturi,

Thanks, Bob. I know my anti-virus/spyware package does not have this feature, so I'll be checking it out.

Hi Bob, I am interested in the shredder - which program did you use?

Margaret

quote:

Originally posted by margaretc:
Hi Bob, I am interested in the shredder - which program did you use?

Margaret

Margaret,

I use McAfee "Anti-Virus Professional Suite" which includes the "shreder" as part of the package. If you ae happy with your present anti-virus software, I'm quite sure your local software outlet will have a wide selection of "stand alone" shredders. I would look for one that has the "shred free space" feature; they all do not do that.

Cheers,

Bob

Hi Bob, does it automatically shred the recycle bin daily or something, or do you need to activate it or just point and click when you want it done? I have McAfee security so will look into it.

Thanks Bob, I'll check it out.
Margaret

quote:

Originally posted by Roxy:
Hi Bob, does it automatically shred the recycle bin daily or something, or do you need to activate it or just point and click when you want it done? I have McAfee security so will look into it.

Roxy,

The Recycle Bin is NOT shredded automatically which is probably a good idea. I think most of us like the idea that the RB is a place in limbo that deleted files hang out until we're sure we really want to get rid of it.

To shred the RB, the procedure is pretty much the same as how you presently empty it. Now you "right click" the RB icon and choose the "empty" option. With the shredder software, another option is added under the "empty" option; that option is "shred." So as you can see, it's pretty straight forward. If you really want to shred immediately, you can "right click" the file and use the "send to" function where the shredder has been added to the list of destinations. Be warned that doing it this way, the RB is not used and the file is immediately destroyed, never to be seen again.

The real culprits (IMO) are the "temporary internet files " and the "history" file. Given the right conditions, they can remain almost forever as a record of everything you've done while surfing. Their shedding CAN be configured to be shredded automatically when you close your browser. You may know that your "internet options" tools can be set to delete both of those files automatically but they are NOT shredded. I guess it all depends on what you want to achieve. If it is already part of your McAfee package (there are a few versions) a "SHRED" icon should be on your "desk top."

BTW, do you remember that Ollie North could have avoided his problems during the "Iran Contra" mess. When he deleted those files (the ones that his secretary didn't hide in her bra ) he thought they were gone forever. Unfortunately for him, they were reconstructed.

All of this is how my software works; I suspect all the others are pretty much the same.

See ya later; I'm off for my morning cuppa java and cinnamon raisin bagel, on Merrick Road. That's one thing I've yet to find in Europe - a good "New York Bagel." (or any bagel, for that matter - I must hang out in the wrong places.

Cheers,

Bob

I have a question concerning the formatting of memory cards. I have a Kodak Easy Share 7430 and when I wish to delete a memory card the lcd screen asks "picture" or "all pictures". When I click on all pictures does this automatically reformat the memory card or will I have bits and scraps of deleted flies floating around?

quote:

Originally posted by NYJudy:
I have a question concerning the formatting of memory cards. I have a Kodak Easy Share 7430 and when I wish to delete a memory card the lcd screen asks "picture" or "all pictures". When I click on all pictures does this automatically reformat the memory card or will I have bits and scraps of deleted flies floating around?

Judy,

If your camera's menu ALSO has a "format" function, I would say that the answer to your question is, "NO, you are not automatically formatting." If it doesn't have a dedicated format, I would guess that "erase all" is their name for format. I think tho' that is unlikely. If you intend to erase all the images, you may as well "kill two birds with one stone" and erase all the images and re-format in one operation. You might check the book and look for "format." Generally, erase and format are 2 different and distinct operations.

Cheers,
Bob

On my (Minolta) camera, for example, "Erase" is on the "Pictures" menu, whereas "Format" is on the "Tools" menu. Erasing all the pictures is almost certainly not reformatting the card.

Thank you all for your information about formatting the memory card. I just checked the directions from my camera and they were VERY specific about formatting the card. This section of the BB has been so helpful to me - I appreciate the time and effort of all the contributers.