8GB flash drive now only 4GB

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Using the same process that I used on my HP Win10 tablet, I tried to create the recovery drive from my HP Win10 (upgraded) desktop. Used a new 8GB flash drive. Got an ambiguous ‘failed’ message. Now the flash drive only shows 4GB of total space.

Can this drive be ‘fixed’? How many more 8GB drives should I buy for the recovery drive? Should I splurge and get a 16?

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Try reformatting the drive as NTFS. That should give you back your other 4GB. Then, try creating the recovery drive again.

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First things first, is your new 8GB flash drive a ‘name’ brand or generic one? Have you tested that it’s not a counterfeit, i.e. masquerading as a larger capacity than it really is? Google “test for fake usb stick” and use one of the utilities shown like H2testw from pendriveapps.com.

Hope this helps…

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Rick is right. I bought 3 supposedly 64GB thumb drives on NewEgg, none of which would hold more than 16GB by file copy. NewEgg attempted to contact the mfr. for a refund, but no reply. NewEgg gave me a credit themselves. Apparently, one can “spoof” the apparent capacity of the drive, but (of course) that doesn’t change the REAL capacity.

Zig

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I purchased an ADATA 64GB flash drive through TigerDirect last year at an “excellent” price.
I didn’t get to use it for 3 months and discovered it was only a 32GB unit.
So there goes the “excellent” price and the timeframe to complain and hopefully get it replaced.
I still did complain to TigerDirect but didn’t get a response.
Now when I buy flash drives I check them immediately.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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You guys nailed it. I ran the test that Rick suggested…, 4GB. And it is an ADATA brand. Hmmmm

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Try formatting the drive with the HP USB Disk Tool.

I’ve seen that do wonders including reviving otherwise dead memory sticks.

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