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Question

USB cannnot be formatted or read

Oct 20, 2015 9:04PM PDT

i bought a flash drive about two weeks ago, it was working i had movies on there and i have formatted it multiple times before and worked fine. i deleted some files and ejected it, nothing i have done before and now i cannot format it or use it. im running on linux too

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Suggestion
Oct 21, 2015 4:28AM PDT

Hi there.

Do you have only Linux as an OS or you have another one installed as well? I'm asking because there is no way to query a USB memory stick for SMART-like parameters; I'm not aware of any memory sticks which support doing so even via publicly-available proprietary software. The best you can do is to check that you can successfully read+write to the entire device using badblocks:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badblocks

You want to specify one of the write tests, which will wipe all data on the stick; make a backup first.

Find the device by looking at dmesg after plugging in the USB stick; you'll see a device name, and manufacturer information. Make sure you're using the proper device!

If the stick is formatted with a valid file system, you may have to unmount it first.

Example syntax, for a USB stick enumerated as /dev/sdz, outputting progress information, with a data-destructive write test and error log written to usbstick.log:

sudo badblocks -w -s -o usbstick.log /dev/sdz

You'll need to repartition and reformat the stick afterwards, assuming it passes; this test will wipe everything on the stick. Any failures indicate a failure of the device's memory controller, or it has run out of spare blocks to remap failed blocks. In that case, no area of the device can be trusted.

Let me know how it went. Happy

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Answer
Don't know if this is the cause/issue but...
Oct 21, 2015 10:35AM PDT

with a flashdrive, it has been my experience that when you delete a file, that space is not free. Flashdrive need to be delete completely then format.

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For me, it's working fine.
Oct 21, 2015 10:48AM PDT

Delete a 1GB file and I have 1GB more free.

I worry about their passage about formatting. I also worry about the lack of detail about the make/model/size of the stick.

Some cheaps don't last long. Formatting, the long format can wear out a stick.

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Then I got cheated...or just don't know the right one to buy
Oct 21, 2015 4:26PM PDT

By the way, I hear you mention Apricorn often so I went and bought one. I must said...that's a the easiest cloning device to use. Too bad it's only for 2.5" er but I did found a way though for 3.5"er. I am still try to figure other way as well.

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Now you know why I mention it often. How much time?
Oct 21, 2015 4:33PM PDT

How much time has it saved me? I've lost count.

PS. After a while, go get their software update on their web site.
Cost? Free.

Post was last edited on October 21, 2015 4:53 PM PDT

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I have plenty of
Oct 21, 2015 4:53PM PDT

of These Drives<br> in various sizes and have deleted files to recover space with no problems BUT they have all been 2.0 .
I haven't ventured into 3.0 yet . It seems like I hear folks whining about 3.0 things .

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Answer
Quality matters
Oct 23, 2015 11:11AM PDT

Some flash drives just aren't the same when quality comes into play. Also, as a flash memory setup, these tend NOT to like constant reformatting. You may damage the build-in and totally unaccessiable I/C that controls what makes that flash what it is. Once that is buggered you pretty much hosed the flash drive. Also, under typical reformatting it really depends again on the actual make-up of the memory IC involved because some just aren't capable of repeated flushing out as it were, in other words, quality again. If as you say you only had it for a short time, use the warranty. Also, movie or TV usage may interject its own propriety build into the flash drive where the PC later has no control to access, basically unknown to it.

tada -----Willy Happy