Formatting memory cards

[tufty]

Not sure if I've chosen the correct forum, so apologies if I haven't.
What is the best way to totally clear a memory card ?
I have a few 128MB cards and after a few uses noticed I wasn't getting as many images on them as before, so I formatted the card using the SanDisk card readers 'FULL FORMAT' method and then checked the properties to find I had a capacity of 122MB on it.
I then ran an 'Image recovery' program I have and it recovered an amazing 53 images !!!!!! Surely that's using up valuable space.
So I was wondering if there are any other methods of erasing the data.

Thanks for any help

Paul.

[Paul Rule]

Paul

Dont worry about the "lost" 6Mb of space, some will always be lost in the formatting. As for the images you recovered, they are not taking-up space, they will be overwriten with new images.

Paul

[satrow]

Hi, Paul
Paul is correct, formatting uses space, old 'erased' data doesn't.
If you are concerned about your data when you sell on your storage media for example then consider a 'zero fill' type program to securely erase the disk. Advanced File Shredder, or Disk Secure Eraser are the first two that Google came up with, they are both shareware - there are many more - some may be free! Each would need to run at least 9 cycles or 'scrubs'.

Andy.

[satrow]

Paul,
to address your point about not getting as many images per disk now: it depends on size of image, quality (dpi) as well as complexity of the image itself (unless you save in bitmap type mode in which case like sizes will always be the same in the same resolution). Maybe you are just using higher resolution settings now?

Andy.

[tufty]

Thank you for the replies.