Files fail to transfer to usb / flash drive

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by smurph, Aug 4, 2011.

  1. smurph

    smurph Specialist

    In recent times, twice I have tried to copy a group of 2-4 large files to two differing Sandisk 16Gb flash drives, and both failed.
    My PC is new with Win7 (x64) Home (I think).
    Total size of files was 2-3 Gb, with only one file just over 1Gb.
    I have serched the 'net, and see several possible reasons/solutions, but none obvious, except maybe FAT32 vs. NTFS.
    My drives are FAT32.
    If it helps, upon re-insertion into PC, they ask for a scan.
     
    smurph, Aug 4, 2011
    #1
  2. Tueur

    Tueur Sergeant Major

    Not sure why they should do this. do you get an error message? try a full format on USBs maybe
     
    Tueur, Aug 4, 2011
    #2
  3. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    HI

    Have seen this before, from NTFS to a FAT32 USB drive and was a reason I format all my USB drives to NTFS, try formatting one USB drive to NTFS and try again.

    The scan on re-plugging in is due to the failed data transfer and Windows wanting to do a structure of fix scan, to allow it to read the drive correctly.
     
    DavidGP, Aug 4, 2011
    #3
  4. tgell

    tgell Major Geek Extraordinaire

    Hello David,
    Sorry to Hijack the thread. Just wanted to ask your opinion on something. I usually format a flash drive to NTFS if I use it as an install device for Windows but for everyday use I thought it would be a negative because of NTFS being a journaling system and all of the extra writes this would create. Maybe I am wrong on this.
     
    tgell, Aug 4, 2011
    #4
  5. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi tgell

    No probs and to be honest I did think of that many years ago before I started formatting to NTFS and well I kinda thought by the time a USB Flash chips lifespan came to an end I would likely have broken physically that USB pen, so 100k writes or so is not always scientific and I've been using some USB flash drives for years and daily with no issue.

    I do see the pitfalls in maybe not being able to read the drive on some PCs with older Windows FAT32 versions, but for me If that did come about that I needed to use a USB drive on a different PC I could re-format it anyways.
     
    DavidGP, Aug 4, 2011
    #5
  6. smurph

    smurph Specialist

    My home PC using win7 won't let me re-format the drive in any type (FAT32 or NTFS)....HELP!
     
    smurph, Aug 4, 2011
    #6
  7. plodr

    plodr MajorGeek Super Extraordinaire Moderator Staff Member

    plodr, Aug 4, 2011
    #7
  8. smurph

    smurph Specialist

    Thanks, tried that, and:
    1. My PC doesn't have "Optimize for performance", only "Quick Removal" or "Better Performance".
    2. I am only trying to copy files at 700Mb & 1.1Gb, not over 4Gb.
    3. Still fails to accept files, showing error mesage: "An error has occurred. The destination drive does not exist....."

    I can't believe this not a common issue!!
     
    smurph, Aug 5, 2011
    #8
  9. mcsmc

    mcsmc MajorGeek

    I hate to say this, but from what you've been describing, it sounds like the flash drive(s) are faulty. Hopefully you can cash in on the warranty and get them replaced, as it definitely seems like a defective drive issue to me.
     
    mcsmc, Aug 5, 2011
    #9
  10. smurph

    smurph Specialist

    Can anyone help....
    BTW - they work perfect on XP, so its a win7 thing!!
     
    smurph, Aug 30, 2011
    #10
  11. Tueur

    Tueur Sergeant Major

    Can you try it on a different Win7 PC? Im wondering if it isnt your USB port?
     
    Tueur, Aug 30, 2011
    #11
  12. tgell

    tgell Major Geek Extraordinaire

    Did you format the USB flash drive to NTFS as David suggested?
     
    tgell, Aug 30, 2011
    #12
  13. smurph

    smurph Specialist

    I have just re-tested at work, after a quick format into NTFS, and they seem to perform better on the work PC with win7, as I have just transferred 6 large files succcessfully (5 x ~600Mb & 1 @ 1Gb).
    So I am beginning to suspect my USB ports on my home PC (as this is where I would predominantly use them with large files).

    Can anyone suggest a method/software for diagnosing them?
     
    smurph, Aug 31, 2011
    #13
  14. Tueur

    Tueur Sergeant Major

    Try a full format and see if that makes a difference.
     
    Tueur, Aug 31, 2011
    #14

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