Can't format USB 3.0 drive

[Steampunk7]

Several months ago I changed the file system of my USB drive from default FAT32 to exFAT (Can't remember why, probably in order to be able to copy large files). Now I can not copy anything on it. I keep receiving 0X80071AC3 error. Of course I looked up internet but to no avail. I tried solutions like these.

But to no avail.

I am not able to format my USB drive back to device defaults. The pop up windows turn grey and the formatting took forever.

When I try to check disk for errors using Properties>Tools I got message that there's no problem. BUT, when I check both "Automatic fix file for errors" AND "Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors" (see pic), the pop up window turns gray and nothing happens.
So, should I throw my USB drive to the garbage and buy a new one?

But this one is almost new, I bought it recently.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[file3456]

You could try Easeus Partition Master. Not sure if it will work. Free partition manager software to resize partitions - EaseUS(R) Partition Master Free

 

[Vineet Garg]

Hi Friends,
Greets.

Steampunk7 :

First of all : You should try it on another PC & another OS.
( Preferably try it on a different PC with Win 10.)

( Do not throw it in dustbin because it would be having some Warranty / Guarantee. For eg. Sandisk pen drives come with 5 years replacement option if it's not damaged physically or by casual handling )

 

[Megahertz07]

Post an image of Disk Manager (C:\Windows\System32\diskmgmt.msc) so we can see the disk partitions of your USB drive.
Don't use external links. Use the paper clip on the Quick Reply window.

 

[Steampunk7]

Here is the scan. USB drive is disk H. Everything is seemingly ok, but I can't do anything. Can't delete files stored on usb drive and can not send/copy files to the drive

 

[Steampunk7]

Hi Friends,
Greets.

@Steampunk7 :

First of all : You should try it on another PC & another OS.
( Preferably try it on a different PC with Win 10.)

I tried it on a friend's PC with Win 10. Same as here.

 

[Megahertz07]

Why is H:: set as active (MBR set as boot able).
- Is it or was it a boot able disk?
- What kind of files are on it.

My suggestion is to copy all files on it to another disk an then clean all partitions and create a new (NTFS or Fat32).
Open a CMD window as Administrator
At a command prompt, type:
Diskpart.exe
list disk
select disk n (where n is the number of USB disk. Make sure to type in the disk number from step two.)
clean
create partition primary
select partition 1
format fs=fat32
assign letter=H
exit.

 

[Steampunk7]

Why is H:: set as active (MBR set as boot able).
- Is it or was it a boot able disk?
- What kind of files are on it.

It is an ordinary USB drive 3.0, 32 GB. It is not bootable disk. There are only two folders on it with jpgs and music, and two pdf files. Nothing important, any of those.

 

[Steampunk7]

My suggestion is to copy all files on it to another disk an then clean all partitions and create a new (NTFS or Fat32).

THAT is precisely the problem with this disk. If you read my initial post you know that I can not do anything with this drive. As I repeated in my posts, I can not delete anything, I can not save or send to it anything, and I can not format it. That's why I started this thread.

 

[Steampunk7]

Why is H:: set as active (MBR set as boot able).
Open a CMD window as Administrator
At a command prompt, type:
Diskpart.exe
list disk
select disk n (where n is the number of USB disk. Make sure to type in the disk number from step two.)

I do not see any disk to select, particularly not N disk.

 

[Megahertz07]

The command diskpart enter the disk partition tool (as you did)
Then you must enter the others commands.

Diskpart.exe (to enter diskpart)
list disk (to list the computers disks,. Take not witch number corresponds to your USB disk)
select disk n (where n is the number of USB disk. Make sure to type correct disk number from step two.)
clean (to erase all partitions on the selected disk)
create partition primary (to create one partition on the selected disk)
select partition 1
format fs=fat32
assign letter=H
exit.

 

[Steampunk7]

The command diskpart enter the disk partition tool (as you did)
Then you must enter the others commands.

Diskpart.exe (to enter diskpart)
list disk (to list the computers disks,. Take not witch number corresponds to your USB disk)
select disk n (where n is the number of USB disk. Make sure to type correct disk number from step two.)
clean (to erase all partitions on the selected disk)
create partition primary (to create one partition on the selected disk)
select partition 1
format fs=fat32
assign letter=H
exit.

I understood your previous post, but I do not know how to list computer disk in CMD promt, particularly not how to select disk since there is not any listed. When I enter "I", which is the USB disk number, I got this:

 

[Megahertz07]

After entering Diskpart you give the others commands

Diskpart.exe (to enter diskpart)
list disk (to list the computers disks. Take not witch number corresponds to your USB disk)
select disk n (where n is the number of USB disk. Make sure to type correct disk number from step two.)
clean (to erase all partitions on the selected disk)
create partition primary (to create one partition on the selected disk)
select partition 1
format fs=fat32
assign letter=H
exit.

 

[Steampunk7]

After entering Diskpart you give the others commands

Diskpart.exe (to enter diskpart)
list disk (to list the computers disks. Take not witch number corresponds to your USB disk)
select disk n (where n is the number of USB disk. Make sure to type correct disk number from step two.)
clean (to erase all partitions on the selected disk)
create partition primary (to create one partition on the selected disk)
select partition 1
format fs=fat32
assign letter=H
exit.

After I selected the disk 4 (the usb drive) I got this list and then there is DISKPART> listed again. As though I haven't already selected the disk 4, which I did.

I do not know (I already wrote that I do not know) how to perform "clean" or "format" operation with CMD. There is no such command and I do not wish to risk doing something irreparable on system disk or other disks which are good.

Never mind. Thank you for your assistance. There is no need to copypaste this chain of instructions again Have a nice day.

 

[Wandering one]

Everything Megahertz07 did NOT put in parenthesis is part of the commands. Has to be entered such as 'select disk 4' not just the numeral 4.
Art

 

[SIW2]

It doesn't understand disk 4.

The word select is part of the command.

select disk 4

It tells you that in the screenshot you posted.

 

[Vineet Garg]

Steampunk7 : There is an easy & safe way to restore your pen drive! We will use Rufus for that.

1.Download Rufus portable.
Home Website
Direct Download Link : rufus-3.8p.exe

2.Disconnect all your USB drives : Pen drives, SD cards, external hard disks. Leave only the problematic pen drive plugged in.

3.Launch rufus-3.8p.exe.

4.Follow The Yellow Markings In The Image :



So, What you have to do is :

(i) Select your Pen Drive > MS-Dos > Start & let it complete. ( Need not think about other things )

(ii) Once completed, close the rufus. Now you will be able to format your pen drive normally and use it as you like.

Let me know.

Thanks & Regards. ...

 

[Steampunk7]

@Steampunk7 : There is an easy & safe way to restore your pen drive! We will use Rufus for that.

4.Follow The Yellow Markings In The Image :

Let me know.

Thanks & Regards. ...

VG, thank you for your advice. For some reason, Rufus freezes at this point (or it doesn't go any further). Maybe I should wait some more, but for the last 20 minutes this is what I got.

 

[Vineet Garg]

Steampunk7 :
1. Cancel the procedure & close the rufus. Just check whether you can format & use it normally.

2. If not,
Download rufus-2.18p.exe

3. Keep only the problematic pen drive connected.

4. Launch rufus & don't check for the latest version!

5. Follow as per below image :



So,
What you have to do is :
Select Pen Drive,
Uncheck 'Create a bootable disk using' & 'Create extended label & icon files'
Click 'Start' & let it complete in 4-5 minutes at the most.

It should not take more than 4-5 minutes.

Let me know.

Thanks & Regards. ...

 

[Steampunk7]

Let me know.

Thanks & Regards. ...

I tried everything, but to no avail. I'll buy a new one.



Thank you all for your time and willing to help.