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Old 07-01-2009, 11:21 AM   #1 (permalink)
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Default Unable to format pen drive

I bought two new 8GB USB pen drives. When i put the first one in my computer a message said i had to format it, so i did. Now it works perfectly. The second one said the same thing but when i tried to format it i got a message saying windows is unable to format drive. It does not give any advice on what i am supposed to do now.
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Old 07-01-2009, 11:56 AM   #2 (permalink)
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When you insert the pendrive again, does the format message appear again?

Does the drive appear in My Computer?

I know you've possibly mentioned this before, but which os is this?
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Old 07-01-2009, 04:28 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by MrDarn View Post
When you insert the pendrive again, does the format message appear again? Yes, when i double click the drive icon

Does the drive appear in My Computer? Yes

I know you've possibly mentioned this before, but which os is this? XP
Now none of them are working. The one that was working now says there is only 8MB instead of 8GB. It asks me to format it but won't do it
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Old 07-01-2009, 04:48 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Apparently it is a RAW not a FAT. I have no idea what this means.
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Old 07-02-2009, 09:23 AM   #5 (permalink)
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Try this:

  1. Insert one of the drives
  2. click start > control panel > Administrative tools(you need to be in classic mode) > Computer Managment
  3. Under the Storage section, choose Disk Managment
    You should see your pen drive listed here. It may not have a drive letter assigned.
  4. Right click your pen drive (ENSURE this is NOT your recovery drive or C:!) and select Format
  5. make sure the settings you want are selected, thin click ok
  6. close all windows, and select the 'safely remove hardware' icon in the system tray next to the clock. Select your drive.
  7. remove the drive for 30 seconds, then insert the drive again.


Does that help?
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Old 07-02-2009, 01:26 PM   #6 (permalink)
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Still no luck. I have taken them back to the shop and traded them for a Samsung instead. I probably should have bought the Samsung first. These cheap pen drives always seem to cause problems.
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Old 07-03-2009, 08:04 AM   #7 (permalink)
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Lol, that was my next suggestion

Pleased you got sorted.

did they explain what the problem could be?
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