geneven - thanks for that suggestion. I'm pretty sure (but not positive) that it was formatted FAT, but did it again just to make sure .

KristianW -
re: #1 - I followed the instructions in the link and the outcome for the df command wasn't the same in that no /dev/mmcblk0p1 was even listed. (the output for the cat /proc/partitions was the same as what speednut had written).

re: #2 - I have formatted at least a couple of dozen times, both on my PC and using N810 file manager. Did download/install/run the panasonic program you suggested but it kept locking up my PC (running WinXP).

I tried running pb but didn't understand it; as a raw beginner I guess I need to use pbeasy.

The good news: after so many formats/reboots (many of which resulted in corrupted card error messages), and several attempts at partitioning (those times that I didn't get an error message), I can probably now do that much at least, in my sleep . So I know more now than I knew 24 hours ago!

chiaowl