PS2 shutdown - memory card

[CeeBee]

I have a query for u experienced PS2-ers.
I just purchased a new PS2+32Mb memory card from Reggies earlier this week, 'mainly' for the kids to use, with Eye Toy.
So we started all up, with memory card, and all works fine, we played for about 3hours.
(I'm a pc gamer... so I thought get the 32Mb card, should be better than 8Mb.... I see memcard only for savegames, duh!)

So yesterday I started the PS2 up, it says "no memory card installed" when the game starts, no matter in which slot I put it,... wtf
Some of the games says "memory card not formatted, format now?" so I choose yes, after a second "formatting failed".
So it seems the memory card is stuffed, after 3 hours ! So get it replaced from Reggies.
Now, heres the question .... could it just be that the memory card was a dud (friday, or monday manufacture ), or did I stuff it up?
I see the PS2 says, while the card is being accessed u shouldnt switch off/reset/eject.
Could it be, that the memcard was busy when I switched off PS2? It didn't seem to be busy.
What is the correct shutdown procedure for PS2, I cant find anywhere in the games to "close/end game"... so do u just wait till there is no action / main menu in game, and just hold power button?
Don't see anything about shutdown in the menu.
Don't wanna stuff up the new memcard.... if it was me.
They shouldnt be so sensitive too.
Any advice will be appreciated!

 

[EchoZA]

Was the 32mb card an official SONY product? From my experiece the 32mb cards can be a little "flakey" rather go with 2 x 8mb cards.

 

[Soulsnatcher]

When busy saving a game/profile/creating character/autosave you shouldn't remove/reset/or power off.
It will say save complete. The way you shut down is correct AFAIK. Exit the game, main menu, power off.

I would say it was just a dud.

 

[CeeBee]

thanx for the input guys.
yeah, the 32Mb memory card is not 'original' Sony, I think the make is "Playon" same as the controller, and dancemat I got.
I was gonna get 'normal' 8Mb Sony card, but, being a PC gamer, and thinking more memory is better (thinking the PS2 'uses' the memcard for gameplay, duh!) I got the 32Mb card for R299, which, at the time seemed a better proposal.
The chick at Reggies told me they've sold 'hundreds' of these non-Sony cards, with almost no returns....
If this one croaks too, I'll get the original 8Mb, although if it is just for save-game-info, then it shouldnt really be a critical item.