Cannot format usb flash drive

[cimage]

I have migrated from XP to Win 7 Ultimate recently. I am unable to format 1GB Simple tech USB Flash drive. The formatting process starts as usual, towards the end “Windows cannot format usb flash drive " and everything stops.

Under Properties>general no file system is displayed.

I download " HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool " and when activated it displays "write protected message"

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[theog]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html

Open command prompt.

Type in command line

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK # (USB Stick)
CLEAN ALL
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
SELECT PARTITION 1
ACTIVE
FORMAT FS=FAT32
ASSIGN
EXIT
EXIT

 

[raydabruce]

Another solution is to download "MBRFIX". This is a little DOS utility you can run from a command prompt. It has rescued several USB flash drives for me. I used it to wipe out the partition table on the flash drive. Look at the "clean" command parameters (mbrfix /?). Be absolutely certain you designate the correct drive number for your flash drive or you'll wipe out all partitions on the wrong drive. Usually /drive 0 is your hard drive and /drive 1 is the flash drive. There are other commands to help you determine this on the command help menu (mbrfix /?). Just Google mbrfix to find it... it's a freebie.

 

[cimage]

theog

After selecting pen drive and returns following error.

"DiskPart has encountered an error: Data error (cyclic redundancy check)"

raydabruce

Clean command returns following error.

" Function failed. Error 5: Access is denied.


Do I have any other option ?

 

[Brink]

Hell Cimage,

According to your USB flash drive's manual (PDF file), you have a write protect switch that needs to be turned off first. Afterwards, you should be able to format it.

Disk write protection switch to protect your files/data from being mistakenly overwritten.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[cimage]

Thanks for responding Brink.

The model of pen drive I own doesn't possess write protection switch. i have been using this drive since last couple years without any issue. After upgrading to Windows 7 read function went on without any hitch. Only when I tried to format, towards the end of the process error msg returns “Windows cannot format usb flash drive " and everything stops.

 

[Brink]

Cimage,

If you haven't already tried it, see if you can use the Clean All command above using a command prompt at boot using your Windows 7 installation disk instead of from within Windows 7.

 

[cimage]

Brink

Unfortunately, I am no geek just a intense PC user. Can you please give me the steps as to how should I go about using command prompt at boot.

Thanks

 

[Brink]

No problem Cimage, here you go.

(OPTION TWO)
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/682-command-prompt-startup.html

and then,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html

 

[cimage]

Thanks Brink, I am currently traveling, I will try this on Monday when I get back.

Once again thanks for your help.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Cimage. Please let us know how it went for you.

 

[xarden]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html

Open command prompt.

Type in command line

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK # (USB Stick)
CLEAN ALL
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
SELECT PARTITION 1
ACTIVE
FORMAT=FAT
ASSIGN
EXIT
EXIT

Should be: FORMAT FS=FAT
or FS=FAT32 if you're that way inclined.

 

[adi19956]

hey, I tried what you said and received this error then in the event log for my details I found this CONFUSED

 

[Brink]

Hello Adi, and welcome to Seven Forums.

It looks like you have a bad block/sector on the hard drive. You might see if running check disk on the drive may help it and allow you to clean it afterwards.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[adi19956]

hey Shawn, thanks for the reply
I tried that and apparently there are no problems... I've done it on two computers, one bought with Windows 7, one upgraded to it from Vista. Neither works. I've tried a USB stick and 3 micro SD cards with a USB converter, nothing works :'(
could it be a problem with 7??? It's just I swear it all worked with previous versions of Windows.

 

[Brink]

Adi,

I must admit that I'm not sure what may be wrong with it. Are you able to format it normally? Do you have any write protection enabled on the USB? Give it a try on another computer. If it still will not work, then the USB flash key may be bad.

 

[adi19956]

tried 3 computers, all running 7, no access to anything but 7 at the moment. In total have tried 11 USB sockets split between the various computers. I would try and find out if it have write protection... but the computers won't let me access it :O arh well

 

[amjo92]

HELP!!

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html

Open command prompt.

Type in command line

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK # (USB Stick)
CLEAN ALL
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
SELECT PARTITION 1
ACTIVE
FORMAT FS=FAT32
ASSIGN
EXIT
EXIT

I don't know if i'm too late to this thread but I have a problem with my USB.
I need to format it but I keep getting an error saying windows cannot preform this task. I tried your method but when i get to "format fs=fat" it says 0% complete.
It then says that the parameter is incorrect.
I don't know what to do can anyone help?

 

[Brink]

Hello Amjo, and welcome to Seven Forums.

It was just a mistake in that post. It should have been the command below instead.

format fs=fat32

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2674-partition-volume-create-new.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[karlsnooks]

amjo,
You can also format fs=ntfs

Depending on my intended use of the usb, i either format as fat 32 or ntfs and the vast majority of the time I use ntfs.

My Win7 DVD is on a ntfs formatted stick. My Win 7PE likewise and my Win 7 Repair Disc is also ntfs.