So you have just bought your new SD Card and you are thinking there is probably no point in formatting it right? Well abandon that thought as it is important we make sure the SD Card has the correct file format and absolutely everything is gone from the SD Card.

The first thing to do is to head off to the SD Associations website and download their SD Formatter tool.

There is no need to worry about any malware or sneaky toolbars trying to be installed as this is the official SD Card Formatting program.

After you have downloaded the program install it and then run it. You should then be met with a window similar to this one:

Make sure the Drive Path (the drop down box with the E: in it) denotes the correct SD Card you want to format (this can easily be checked by cross referencing it with the drive path in a 'My Computer' window), then simply press format and allow SD Formatter to do its work. Also make sure Format Size Adjustment is set to on.

If everything goes to plan you should be left with an empty SD Card waiting to be filled with your OS of choice.

Next we are going to be gathering what we need to install either Raspbian or XBMC to your Raspberry Pi.