SD card formatting

[bribe36]

I recently installed a micro SD memory card in the back of my Zumo XT. when I view the Zumo through Garmin express it doesn’t show the increased memory on the GPS. Other than simply installing the memory card do I need to format it for it to recognize the memory card in the GPS? If so, how do I do that?

[sussamb]

Shouldn't have to do anything, but what size is the card?

[bribe36]

128GB. I followed the “instructions “ but it doesn’t seem to be recognized by the gps. Grrrrr

[FrankB]

Max size that you can use 'out of the box' is 32GB.
For cards > 32Gb you will need to format it as FAT32 with 3rd party software. It will NOT work if you format it with Windows 10 or 11!
I have succesfully used: Rufus. https://github.com/pbatard/rufus/releases

[Rofor]

@bribe36 - another easy solution for a 'false' data system on a new sdcard without any tool is as follows:
While the Zumo XT is turned off(!)...

• Take the card out of the Zumo XT

• Turn on the Zumo XT and wait until it is fired up completely, showing the main screen

• Now put the sdcard again in the Zumo XT, while the unit is on

• There should be now a message box on the screen, asking if the the Zumo XT should format the sdcard

• Press 'yes' and after a short time your sdcard should be ready and usable - the max. size of a usable sdcard should be 256Gb...

Should be as easy as this...

[FrankB]

@Rofor Will try this method next time I replace the sdcard.

[Peobody]

@Rofor Will try this method next time I replace the sdcard.

Me too. I have always inserted the card with the XT turned off, using a third party tool for formatting. I wonder why Garmin didn't program the detection of an unformatted card during boot-up that would trigger that prompt about formatting the card.

@Rofor, does the XT format the card to its physical size? (eg: a 128GB card gets formatted to 128GB size)

[rbentnail]

I recently installed a micro SD memory card in the back of my Zumo XT. when I view the Zumo through Garmin express it doesn’t show the increased memory on the GPS. Other than simply installing the memory card do I need to format it for it to recognize the memory card in the GPS? If so, how do I do that?

@Rofor Will try this method next time I replace the sdcard.

Me too. I have always inserted the card with the XT turned off, using a third party tool for formatting. I wonder why Garmin didn't program the detection of an unformatted card during boot-up that would trigger that prompt about formatting the card.

@Rofor, does the XT format the card to its physical size? (eg: a 128GB card gets formatted to 128GB size)

Short answer- yes.

Long answer- I bought a new 128gb card. I turned on the XT and waited for complete bootup then waited more until it was done. I was in my basement so waiting included searching and not finding satellites and selecting simulation mode. In retrospect it's faster if you select this right off. I then inserted the card. The device found it and asked if I wanted to format it. I said yes. It did. Using File Explorer on my laptop, connected device via USB cable, I see 'User Memory' of 128gb.

Now to the OP's question that everyone ignored, in bold above- correct. Garmin Express does not show SD card capacity as memory. Use your computer for that, assuming you have one.

[Rofor]

I wonder why Garmin didn't program the detection of an unformatted card during boot-up that would trigger that prompt about formatting the card.

I think it's for safety reasons - there are no 'unformatted' sdcards, all of them came pre-formatted, <=32Gb in FAT32 and >32Gb in exFAT! I think, Garmin will maybe prevent the user from using accidentally a 'in-use' sdcard...

[sussamb]

Now to the OP's question that everyone ignored, in bold above- correct. Garmin Express does not show SD card capacity as memory. Use your computer for that, assuming you have one.

Not quite true. It may not for an XT but it does for some Garmin devices.