usb format

simple i know but i need to format and have no file but no matter what i try i get a system information
it wont delete so the files i want to use wont work because of that directory

thanks

Hi there

@rayzor

3 methods

1) in Windows -- diskpart (as administrator) list disk, select disk xxx clean convert mbr create partition primary format fs=fat32 quick
2) any linux distro -- lsblk mkfs.fat32 -f /dev/sdx
3) any stand alone partition manager e/g gparted or whatever - boot, create new partitin table etc etc.

Cheers
jimbo

rayzor, forgive me, I'm having a little bit of difficulty understanding what you want to do.

If I understand correctly, it sounds like you want to format a USB drive. If that is accurate, I'll give you something to try below.

In my example below, I am assuming that you want to format the entire drive and that you have nothing on the drive that you need to save. I will also assume that we will format the drive with one partition formatted as NTFS.

If all that sounds correct, try this:

(Note that I have sample output below where I show what I see on my system when following these steps)

Open a command prompt and run this command:

diskpart

Once in diskpart, continue with these commands. Comments are included:

list disk < This will list all disks in the system. Note the disk ID, you use it in the next command select disk x < replace "x" with the disk you want to work with. You get that number from the "list disk" command detail disk < Optional. Show more detail on selected disk to make sure you have correct disk. If needed, select a different disk after this clean < This will wipe out the disk. Sometimes you may get an error. If so, run command again. create partition primary < This will create one large partition on the drive format fs=ntfs quick < This will format the newly created partition with NTFS assign < Assigns first available dive letter to the disk exit < Exits from diskpart exit < Exits from the command prompt

Sample:

Microsoft DiskPart version 10.0.22621.1

Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation.
On computer: GODZILLA

DISKPART> list disk

Disk ### Status Size Free Dyn Gpt
-------- ------------- ------- ------- --- ---
Disk 0 Online 7452 GB 1024 KB *
Disk 1 Online 7452 GB 1024 KB *
Disk 2 Online 465 GB 1024 KB *
Disk 3 Online 465 GB 1024 KB *
Disk 4 Online 931 GB 1024 KB *
Disk 5 Online 1863 GB 0 B *
Disk 6 Online 59 GB 0 B

DISKPART> select disk 6

Disk 6 is now the selected disk.

DISKPART> detail disk

SanDisk Extreme USB Device
Disk ID: 00948B12
Type : USB
Status : Online
Path : 0
Target : 0
LUN ID : 0
Location Path : UNAVAILABLE
Current Read-only State : No
Read-only : No
Boot Disk : No
Pagefile Disk : No
Hibernation File Disk : No
Crashdump Disk : No
Clustered Disk : No

Volume ### Ltr Label Fs Type Size Status Info
---------- --- ----------- ----- ---------- ------- --------- --------
Volume 8 H VOLUME 1 FAT32 Removable 2560 MB Healthy
Volume 9 I Volume 2 NTFS Removable 57 GB Healthy

DISKPART> clean

DiskPart has encountered an error: A device which does not exist was specified.
See the System Event Log for more information.

DISKPART> clean

DiskPart succeeded in cleaning the disk.

DISKPART> create partition primary

DiskPart succeeded in creating the specified partition.

DISKPART> format fs=ntfs quick

100 percent completed

DiskPart successfully formatted the volume.

DISKPART> assign

DiskPart successfully assigned the drive letter or mount point.

DISKPART>

-----------------------
END OF SAMPLE

NOTE: I don't show the "exit" in the above sample because the windows will close when I do and so I cannot capture the output.

Let us know if you need further assistance.

rayzor said:

no matter what i try i get a system information

Click to expand...

Windows will always create a hidden 'System Volume Information' folder on any usb or SD card that is plugged into a Windows PC. It creates one when you format a usb, or if you have a usb without one it will create one when you first plug it in. Even my camera's SD card now has one. For a usb stick or an SD card there is virtually nothing in it.

rayzor said:

it wont delete so the files i want to use wont work because of that directory

Click to expand...

I have never, ever, seen reports that this folder prevents further use of the drive. My camera certainly doesn't object.
In what way do you mean 'won't work' ? What errors do you see reported?

Are you formatting it with the correct filesystem? Maybe your device needs FAT32 or ExFAT. If you are using this in a device other than a PC, that device should have its own format routine.

i need to format exfat its for a upgrade disk for syc 3 upgrade disk and nothing else should be on disk or it wont work
thanks

rayzor said:

i need to format exfat its for a upgrade disk for syc 3 upgrade disk and nothing else should be on disk or it wont work

Click to expand...

Yes, that's what Ford say...

Do not create any folder on the USB Flash Drive as this may cause errors during installation.

Click to expand...

However, that's referring to any folder(s) you may create yourself. The hidden system folder System Volume Information should not cause any issues. If it did then Ford would not have recommended PC users to format to ExFat by plugging the usb into their PC.

rayzor,

If you want to do a quick read on the purpose of the System volume information folder, here is a good article on the topic: