Firmware Update Fun

[Ranger X]

Alright. I have recently ordered my GP2X from gp32z. It should arrive sometime this week, even today. Hopefully it comes before my short holiday vacation is over.

I've seen the many forum posts about people bricking their units. I have a mini SD card I can freely format through my phone, and plan on picking up a Scandisk 1gb Ultra II with some 2500mah batteries/charger later today.

So, is it viable for me to udate the unit, and actually format the 1 gig card through the GP2X by itself, or is it risk I shouldn't take?

TL;DR: I can update with a really small card, but can I weasel my way out of a card reader?

 

[matt goode]

Gp2x cant format the card, trust me mine is bricked because i put a blank SD card in it which wasnt formatted. Format it before you put it in.

 

[Squidge]

It seems to be the case that the 2x treats unformatted cards as fully formatted ones with firmware updates already on them, and so decides to reflash itself with complete crap, and doesn't actually notice until it's too late.

Best be safe - format and place some files on there before placing it anywhere near your 2x!

 

[Ranger X]

So as long as its a formatted SD card its alright to put in a unit? Or do I need to put some sort of firmware on the card as well?

 

[matt goode]

Format your card to Fat32 and i see no reason for it to not work, my card was faulty too i believe, it wouldnt show up on my computer in a card reader and was unformatable somehow, you'll be fine.

 

[shrubberyrobbery]

So as long as its a formatted SD card its alright to put in a unit? Or do I need to put some sort of firmware on the card as well?

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yep, as long as its already formatted it should be fine. you don't need a firmware update on the SD card.
As you haven't received your unit yet, it will probably arrive with the latest firmware already on it, so you shouldn't need to go through any firmware flashing nonsense for a while yet