on my computers (no mac or windoze) i plug the camera (with card) into the computer via USB and edit the file on the card. when i unplug the camera it beeps (i think just one beep) to let me know that it's read the new config from the card, and presumably stores it into the camera's NV-RAM. if i don't edit the file, it doesn't beep when i disconnect the camera from the computer.

i could also remove the card from the camera, edit the file, and then i think the camera will read the new config when it powers up with the card, but it's easier to leave the card in the camera... those micro-SD cards are too damned small, and i have to plug in the camera, anyway, to charge it.

not sure if that helps...

prior to your post, i was thinking that a blank card in the camera will have a default config written to it, but now i think it will get a copy of whatever config was in there previously. note to self: when the new Contour gets here, make sure i back-up the default config file. i may still have the original config on the 2GB card that came with the camera...? i still haven't found much use for that card.