> Source: [sk144253](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk144253)

# sk144253 - How to format SD card on Spark Firewall appliance

| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| Solution ID | sk144253 |
| Date Created | 2019-01-11 |
| Last Modified | 2022-09-04 |
| Technical Level | General |
| Products | Spark Firewall (Locally Managed) |
| Versions | R81.10.X |
| Platform | 1570R, 1500, 1600, 1800, 910 |

## Solution

When an appliance identifies an SD card for the first time, it formats and marks it by creating the **.cp** empty file in the SD card root, after which it will not be formatted again unless you invoke a format action.

To invoke a format action on the SD card, do the following:

1. Insert the SD card.
2. Go to the */mnt/sd* directory, which is the SD card's root.
3. Delete the **.cp** file there.
4. Eject (via WebUI) and reinsert the card, or reboot the appliance. Restarting sfwd (sfwd_restart) should fix as well.
5. Confirm with df -Th to see the SD card is now mounted with EXT4.

**Notes:**

* If you have an SMB/Quantum Spark appliance with an SD card inserted, and it is using R77.20.81 or lower, after you upgrade to R77.20.85 (which supports the ext4 file system), the SD card will remain with the old FAT32 file system.
* The instructions in this article may not be relevant to 700 and 1400 appliances if their version is lower than R77.20.85.

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