John asks: "Gents, when formatting SmartMedia cards prior to initial use to do Chelton database updates, which file system / format do you recommend?"

Use FAT16 on the oldest computer in your inventory. Copy a known good file onto the SM card after formatting.

If the IDU does not recognize the SM card, try a "Hot Boot" by pressing and holding in both encoders, while powered, until the IDU reboots.

Regards
Brent Regan