Asked to format a USB memory stick already in use

[avz10]

I have had this 16 GB memory stick for more than 2 months and have been using it. It suddenly started to give the message that it needs to be formatted before using it.

I have Windows 7 on both my desktop and laptop. Using Office 2010. The laptop is very new- Intel core i3 CPU; 2.40 GHz; 3 GB installed memory and the desktop is also quite up to date.

If I click "Format disk", it gives the message that Windows cannot format the disk and I need to check the connections. I have tried by using a thread- using command, clean disk- and it did not progress as well for a HP programme that I downloaded.

It seems as if this stick might be damaged, but I will appreciate any comments.

Thanks

 

[alphanumeric]

Sounds to me like it may have failed. If you can't format it thats a good sign that its hosed. I have an 8 gig here that has started prompting me to scan to detect and fix problems. I told it to go ahead but it seems to take forever and never get anywhere. I noticed just before this happened that file transfers to that thumb drive took a really long time and suspected it had problems. I'm just now doing a full format to see if it fixes it. Your post reminded me I had this on my to do list.

 

[pebbly]

There are so many of these 8 & 16gb usb pendrives around that are using cheap and failed the grade memory that its wise to only buy recognised brands with quality memory inside, the extra cost is benificial in the long term

 

[alphanumeric]

Mine is Kingston DataTraveler 2. I just did a full format and copied 6.5 gigs worth of stuff to it. I was going to time it but I had something else I had to do and could not stay until it finished. I just went to the tools tab and did an error check and it scanned it quick this time with no errors. I guess the file system on mine got corrupted. Still I'll keep an eye on it for any more problems.