Formatting 2GB SD card - Mac specific issues To debug some app "hanging" issues, I decided to reformat my SanDisk for Wii 2 GB SD Card, using Mac OS 10.6 Disk Utility. I reformatted my SD card to MS-DOS Fat 32. My intention was to reinstall everything fresh and see what sort of performance I get--I was looking for less black screens and more stability. The problem is, I now get a "SD Card not recognized" message from my Wii. I get this message even when I am trying to access Indiana Pwns from Lego Indiana Jones. I was attempting to reinstall via Indian Pwns the HomeBrew Channel, HackMii, and the HomeBrew Browser. Fortunately I did back-up all my files to my Mac HD before the reformat. Any suggestions to get me out of this jam?http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?24,60845,60845#msg-60845Sun, 16 Aug 2026 12:46:00 +0200 Phorum 5.2.23 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?24,60845,60962#msg-60962 Re: Reformatted my 2GB SD FAT 32 card and now its not recognizedhttp://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?24,60845,60962#msg-60962
I still need to do a NAND back-up as well.

Do me a favor and don't lock this thread yet. I want to write up a detailed instruction set of what works and what doesn't and add it to the 1st post--especially what doesn't work, since there are so many suggestions for things that don't work.

When I get some cash I want to get a larger SD card and explore its formatting options as well. I think I have another older card around here somewhere that I tried last year (pre-Homebrew)--I'll see if I can get that formatted and then clearly deteremine and document what works and what does not in terms of formatting. I have a feeling a lot of folks gave up and just bought new cards as a workaround--but I bet those other cards will work in the end with proper formatting.

Thanks to everyone for their help.]]> DonsSword Getting StartedTue, 19 Oct 2010 04:29:05 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?24,60845,60903#msg-60903 Re: Reformatted my 2GB SD FAT 32 card and now its not recognizedhttp://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?24,60845,60903#msg-60903
Next, I need to mess around with moving files from my laptop "SD card back-up Dir" onto my SD card to see if everything works again.

My challenge is the only SD card reader I have is on my wife's business MacBook, which I don't have continuous access to. I'll be buying a cheap SD card reader after this Friday's payday for sure.

Next, I'm a little afraid that the card won't be recognized as the same device once I load my files back onto it. I really want to write my NAND to a back-up card, but I need to get a new card as I already filled up my 2GB card with apps and emulators. I need to make sure I know how well cards swap before I go too deep down the rabbit hole and get content with my current set-up.

Still, I love HBB and all its parts, and the only problem here is really between the chair and the keyboard. When I get it all figured out, I am going to whip-up a solid post about Macintosh card formatting issues, so people stop retreading this dark path.]]> DonsSword Getting StartedMon, 18 Oct 2010 17:46:15 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?24,60845,60897#msg-60897 Re: Reformatted my 2GB SD FAT 32 card and now its not recognizedhttp://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?24,60845,60897#msg-60897
Quote
Magil
No, I was referring to an entirely different and more complete disc. But if that one you've linked is also a bootable CD that only runs that specific program, then much better. I guess it'll spare him waiting for 200 MB to download and burn (assuming this one is smaller).

It was about 50MB when I downloaded it, but it may have grown a bit since then. It boots linux and you can run GParted from there, though I'm not sure if it works well with SD memory cards.

@DonsSword I just had a thought. If you have a digital camera, try formatting the card with that. Many people seem to be having success with the default format options of digital cameras.]]> winmaster Getting StartedMon, 18 Oct 2010 16:59:38 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?24,60845,60874#msg-60874 Re: Reformatted my 2GB SD FAT 32 card and now its not recognizedhttp://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?24,60845,60874#msg-60874 Magil Getting StartedMon, 18 Oct 2010 13:15:42 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?24,60845,60865#msg-60865 Re: Reformatted my 2GB SD FAT 32 card and now its not recognizedhttp://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?24,60845,60865#msg-60865
Quote
Magil
Why not download something like Hiren's Boot CD? Other than having a bunch of recovery programs, it contains a portable version of Windows. You can try launching that tool you mentioned through there if you don't wanna go through the trouble of finding a Windows ISO online and installing it on your HDD. Don't worry. That portable version is loaded only on your RAM, and doesn't modify anything on your HDD whatsoever.

Though once you're using Hiren's, if that tool you mention doesn't seem to help, you can always use one of the various partitioning included in said CD like Partition Magic (I dunno if that's how it's called in the CD, but it sure looks alot like it) and use that for your formatting needs.

I sincerely don't know anything regarding Mac OS apps, so I'm giving you the next best thing. Good luck.

I believe you're referring to the PartedMagic Live CD. It is very good, but I don't know if it supports SD or USB devices.

You can download it here: [partedmagic.com]]]> winmaster Getting StartedMon, 18 Oct 2010 05:21:06 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?24,60845,60864#msg-60864 Re: Reformatted my 2GB SD FAT 32 card and now its not recognizedhttp://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?24,60845,60864#msg-60864
Though once you're using Hiren's, if that tool you mention doesn't seem to help, you can always use one of the various partitioning included in said CD like Partition Magic (I dunno if that's how it's called in the CD, but it sure looks alot like it) and use that for your formatting needs.

I sincerely don't know anything regarding Mac OS apps, so I'm giving you the next best thing. Good luck.]]> Magil Getting StartedMon, 18 Oct 2010 05:12:33 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?24,60845,60863#msg-60863 Re: Reformatted my 2GB SD FAT 32 card and now its not recognizedhttp://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?24,60845,60863#msg-60863
I am trying 2 diff solutions at the command line (I'll document here later), and neither will give me a card recognized by my Wii.

EDIT: More stuff found, all a mess. There is a software tool available form Panasonic that can reformat it correctly, but of course it is a Windows app.

EDIT: Digital camera = YAY!
Even after a FAT16 command line reformt, the Wii did not recognize the card until I used my Olympus point-n-shot camera to reformat the card. The Wii finally sees it. However, I can't get the HBB to recognize the card now to do a reinstall. I'm going to try and put some apps on the card from my back-up and see if they show up.]]> DonsSword Getting StartedMon, 18 Oct 2010 04:00:23 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?24,60845,60860#msg-60860 Re: Reformatted my 2GB SD FAT 32 card and now its not recognizedhttp://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?24,60845,60860#msg-60860
I'll attempt a reformat to the specs mentioned, but I am not sure DiskUtility in 10.6 will allow me to do precisley as you specificed--I'll have to look around a bit to confirm. I'll update here after I get the reformaating to stick.

Thanks!]]> DonsSword Getting StartedMon, 18 Oct 2010 01:53:13 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?24,60845,60856#msg-60856 Re: Reformatted my 2GB SD FAT 32 card and now its not recognizedhttp://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?24,60845,60856#msg-60856
That should be enough for your Wii to recognize it again.]]> Axel Getting StartedSun, 17 Oct 2010 23:20:16 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?24,60845,60854#msg-60854 Re: Reformatted my 2GB SD FAT 32 card and now its not recognizedhttp://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?24,60845,60854#msg-60854 Magil Getting StartedSun, 17 Oct 2010 23:00:31 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?24,60845,60845#msg-60845 Formatting 2GB SD card - Mac specific issueshttp://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?24,60845,60845#msg-60845
My intention was to reinstall everything fresh and see what sort of performance I get--I was looking for less black screens and more stability. The problem is, I now get a "SD Card not recognized" message from my Wii. I get this message even when I am trying to access Indiana Pwns from Lego Indiana Jones.

I was attempting to reinstall via Indian Pwns the HomeBrew Channel, HackMii, and the HomeBrew Browser.

Fortunately I did back-up all my files to my Mac HD before the reformat.

Any suggestions to get me out of this jam?]]> DonsSword Getting StartedSun, 17 Oct 2010 20:09:47 +0200