Not recognising memory card

I think the audio files need to be in a folder named MP3 on the SD Card. Also, only certain file types are supported like MP3. I also seem to remember that if the MP3's bitrate is above a certain setting, that the file won't play...this may have been addressed in a later firmware though.

Specifically, what make & model memory card did you buy?

I format my 8g sdhd card with this

panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/sd/download/sd_formatter.htm

to be able to read it with my nuvï 650.

Garmin Nuvi 750, SanDisk SD card, 2 GB
I went to that panasonic site and all I saw was gibberish.
The card works cause when I put it in my card reader I can see and play the music I put on it but when I put in the Garmin and hook it to the computer I do not see the music or extra memory.
Menkaure

Be sure to format the card as FAT or FAT32 because if you are using Vista you may have formated it as NTFS and Garmin device does not reconise NTFS.

Try hooking your Garmin to your computer and then look at the file structure with subdirectories using windows explorer. Then put your memory card in the computer and setup the same mp3 folder. Copy your mp3 files to that folder and it should recognize them if they are truly mp3 files. You can also try putting 1 of your mp3 files on the Garmin and see if it plays. This will determine if it is file structure or mp3's. It may just be your mp3 files.

I've never formatted a card to use with the Garmin. It has taken them as they were made. There is a search feature on the Garmin MP3 player screen, see if it will find them.

OK, I looked and the card was formatted in FAT and the Garmin lists on the computer as FAT32. I formatted the card in FAT32 and put some test songs on it and it worked.
The memory is still not listed in the Garmin's Properties (in Windows XP) so I'm assuming you cannot have the card as system memory. Am I right? I was thinking that more memory would be good for more POI's, maps, etc.
Thanks people for your help.

Menkaure

The official SD Association formatter is available on their web site:

http://www.sdcard.org/consumers/formatter/

I have multiple gadgets that use SD or micro SD cards and I tend to experiment with them. The formatter is handy to restore the card to "factory" state, especially when I have a card that was formatted in an unusual or incompatible way by one of the devices. There is an option to "erase" the card that takes longer but I use it whenever I get a new card to make sure there are no bad spots.

Make sure the card is not locked (see small side slide switch).

The SD card should appear as a 2nd disk drive in windows, not as additional space in the Garmin device. Even if it is a separate drive in windows, the Nuvi will look in both the built-in memory and the SD card for Maps, POIs, MP3s, pictures, etc. Sort of confused me too, the first time, because the SD card appeared as a very high drive letter and I didn't notice it was there.

My Nuvi 850 will show and play the mp3 files on my Micro SD card on the music player, but when I look at the files structure in Windows Explorer, it says put a disk in Drive J. It sees the Garmin as I drive and the sd card as J drive but will not allow me to access the J drive. Any thoughts...Jim

Have you tried using a separate card reader instead of using the Nuvi as the reader? I seem to remember other 8xx owner(s) having trouble and solving it that way.

Yes, I have used the card reader in my PC and it works fine. Good to know that maybe it is the 850's problem. Hello Garmin Support. Thanks

I Have never had to format a card for my nuvi, the only thing i have done is put the card in the reader on my computer, copied the mp3 files to the card, move it to the nuvi, and then go to the mp3 player and play them. you can make seperate folders if you want,but i never have formatted a card and i use a 1-2 and 4 gig cards,