Flash Drive format errors!

HazzaB · 09 Mar 2013

Okay, So I was about to transfer some data onto my 64GB Toshiba flash drive, until I tried opening it. It said it needed to be formatted, so I did! I did a full format and it said "Windows was unable to complete the format". I looked it up and people were saying to go into disk management and format from there, so I did. That didn't change a thing!

Then, I saw some instructions about cleaning it through command prompt, it was something like 'diskpart'? I did that and saw in disk management, that all of my memory in the flash drive was not allocated, so I did a full format and all of it was allocated again. My problem now is that the file type is 'RAW' when it's supposed to be NTFS. I looked it up and it was something to do with the flash drive being 'Read-Only'. I've tried many ways of turning 'Read-Only' off, but nothing has worked.

How do I change it back to NTFS and turn 'Read-Only' off?

Thank you!

mjf · 09 Mar 2013

Windows (7) unnecessarily restricts FAT32 partitions to 32GB. If for some reason you need FAT32 then use a 3rd party (free) program like Partition Wizard and you can format FAT32 up to 2TB and W7 will read it quite happily. Your max file size will be restricted to 4GB though!

For NTFS "Disk Management" should do the job. For command line
1) Open elevated command prompt
2)Type
>diskpart
>list disk
>select disk #
# must be your USB ----be careful it isn't your HDD !!!!!
>clean
>create partition primary
>select partition 1
>format fs=ntfs quick
>assign
3)exit diskpart

jumanji · 09 Mar 2013

Hi Hazza B,

Try formatting your pendrive - FAT32 or NTFS, whichever you want - with HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool. Download HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool 2.2.3 Free - Windows-based Format Utility for HP Drive Key or DiskOnKey USB Device - Softpedia

It is a windows executable that needs no installation, but has to be run as administrator.(Just right click on it and run as administrator and it will recognise only USB drives.)

mjf · 10 Mar 2013

Just follow the instructions I have given. You specifically asked about "diskpart".

Although you don't need it for your current problem, Partition Wizard is almost an essential tool in you're general toolkit but it will do the job as well. I don't really see what the HP tool has to offer.

HazzaB · 10 Mar 2013

mjf said:

Windows (7) unnecessarily restricts FAT32 partitions to 32GB. If for some reason you need FAT32 then use a 3rd party (free) program like Partition Wizard and you can format FAT32 up to 2TB and W7 will read it quite happily. Your max file size will be restricted to 4GB though!

For NTFS "Disk Management" should do the job. For command line
1) Open elevated command prompt
2)Type
>diskpart
>list disk
>select disk #
# must be your USB ----be careful it isn't your HDD !!!!!
>clean
>create partition primary
>select partition 1
>format fs=ntfs quick
>assign
3)exit diskpart

The diskpart thing didn't work, it is still showing up a RAW. I think I'll try the other option you gave me!

EDIT: Partition wizard worked!

Thank you very much!

mjf · 10 Mar 2013

See what Partition Wizard (mini tool) has to say.
I have deliberately zeroed a flash drive in the past including the MBR making it RAW and used the procedure I described. So I am a bit puzzled.

I didn't think this was absolutely necessary but after
>select partition 1
try typing
>active

see if that makes a difference.

Edit: just saw that PW worked which is good. The issue using diskpart still puzzles me.

jumanji · 10 Mar 2013

Just now I zeroed all sectors on a 1GB pendrive turning it RAW, and then used diskpart to format it to NTFS. It went through successfully. No need to make the partition active.

Most probably the OP made some mistakes while typing the commands.

Personally I hate writing commands or advocating it to any OP because one can go wrong and it is really a chore.

Now I had also tried turning the pen drive RAW and formatting it with HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool and it is a lot more easier. ( I have not tried Partition Wizard though and it is good to have alternatives,)

Now dear mjf, you have also tried USB Imaging Tool and may be aware that the host pendrive's capacity gets locked to the donor pendrive's capacity when imaged to a larger drive.

If one wants to regain the full capacity of the pendrive later, Windows will not see that excess but will only format to the donor's capacity.

I have used the HP utility to successfully restore the original capacity.

Will Partition Wizard see the excess capacity and restore it?

Just curious to know whether you had tried it or what other tool you use for it.

jumanji · 10 Mar 2013

OK, I have now tried Partition Wizard too, to regain lost space as mentioned in the previous post. Yes, it is possible, after many steps.

Having tried all three - diskpart, PW and the HP Tool - I am now more than ever convinced that whether one wants to format a RAW pen drive (as in OP’s case) or regain lost space (except when it is a fake pendrive), using the HP tool is much simpler and painless.

Sing, sing a song, make it simple - Carpenters.:)

ahackman · 10 Mar 2013

Hey,
i have been having problems such as, simply swapping out usb memory sticks. Solution:

Simple. Shut off printer. Unplug the thing if you have to. Somehow it clogs up the usb system, deeming usb hot swap and etc as unrecognizable!

>>>>>it's the printer!!! <<<