diff --git a/rust/pm-grid/src/main.rs b/rust/pm-grid/src/main.rs
index 559afb5..edcbe64 100644
--- a/rust/pm-grid/src/main.rs
+++ b/rust/pm-grid/src/main.rs
@@ -141,11 +141,19 @@ impl fatfs::Seek for FlashIo {
 }
 
 /// Write the blank PM_G-1 template over the metadata sectors (erases the leftover volume → empty).
+/// One 4 KB sector per call — exactly the proven MSC write pattern (a multi-sector call is riskier).
 fn format_pmg1() {
-    let faddr = FILESYSTEM.as_ptr() as u32 & 0x00ff_ffff & !0xfff; // flash offset 0x100000
-    cortex_m::interrupt::free(|_| unsafe {
-        rp2040_flash::flash::flash_range_erase_and_program(faddr, FAT_TEMPLATE, false);
-    });
+    let base = FILESYSTEM.as_ptr() as u32 & 0x00ff_ffff & !0xfff; // flash offset 0x100000
+    let sz = FS_BLOCK_SIZE as usize;
+    let sectors = FAT_TEMPLATE.len() / sz;
+    for s in 0..sectors {
+        let mut sector = [0u8; FS_BLOCK_SIZE as usize];
+        sector.copy_from_slice(&FAT_TEMPLATE[s * sz..(s + 1) * sz]);
+        let faddr = base + (s as u32) * FS_BLOCK_SIZE;
+        cortex_m::interrupt::free(|_| unsafe {
+            rp2040_flash::flash::flash_range_erase_and_program(faddr, &sector, false);
+        });
+    }
 }
 
 /// Mount the drive; if it isn't a "PM_G-1"-labelled FAT, format it. Then read programs.json (if any)
@@ -1538,7 +1546,7 @@ fn main() -> ! {
     // heap for track-format (Vec/String). The Pico has 264 KB SRAM; 24 KB is plenty for a track.
     {
         use core::mem::MaybeUninit;
-        const HEAP_SIZE: usize = 24 * 1024;
+        const HEAP_SIZE: usize = 96 * 1024; // fatfs + owned set lists + track parse (Pico has 264 KB)
         static mut HEAP_MEM: [MaybeUninit<u8>; HEAP_SIZE] = [MaybeUninit::uninit(); HEAP_SIZE];
         unsafe { HEAP.init(core::ptr::addr_of_mut!(HEAP_MEM) as usize, HEAP_SIZE) }
     }
@@ -1578,11 +1586,6 @@ fn main() -> ! {
 
     let mut mtx = Matrix::new(i2c, &mut delay);
 
-    // Read the drive's set lists (and (re)format it to "PM_G-1" if it isn't ours) — BEFORE USB
-    // setup, so the one-time format flash-write can't disrupt enumeration.
-    let user_setlists = read_user_setlists();
-    info!("boot: {} total set list(s)", SETLISTS.len() + user_setlists.len());
-
     // --- USB-MIDI: the Scroll Pack has no speaker, so clicks play through the host (the editor's
     // "Device audio"). We send a GM note-on per lane hit on channel 10. ---
     let usb_bus = UsbBusAllocator::new(hal::usb::UsbBus::new(
@@ -1622,6 +1625,12 @@ fn main() -> ! {
     let mut btn_y = pins.gpio15.into_pull_up_input();
 
     let now_us = || timer.get_counter().ticks() as i64;
+    // Read the drive's set lists (and (re)format it to "PM_G-1" if it isn't ours). Done AFTER the
+    // splash so the screen shows life first and a FAT/flash problem can't leave it black.
+    info!("fat: reading drive...");
+    let user_setlists = read_user_setlists();
+    info!("boot: {} total set list(s)", SETLISTS.len() + user_setlists.len());
+
     let mut app = App::new(now_us() * 1000, user_setlists);
     info!("groove: bpm={} lanes={}", app.tempo, app.track.lanes.len());