Memory Stick

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I have a 4GB memory stick that, in Windows Explorer, shows there are no files on it, yet the capacity available under properties shows less than 2GB

Previously this stick was used to back up general MS Office files, pics and music.

Is there anything we can do to clear the stick?

Regards

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From memory stick.com – FAQ:[indent]

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A9. All Memory Stick media are pre-formatted for optimal performance before leaving the factory. You can use your newly purchased Memory Stick media immediately. If you wish to re-format a Memory Stick at a later date, follow the formatting directions for the device with which you are using Memory Stick media.
[Caution]
· Do not try to format Memory Stick media using the standard Windows format tool (found in the “My Computer” menu).
· When re-formatting Memory Stick media, all previously stored data will be erased. To prevent the loss of valuable data, be sure to make back-up copies before re-formatting.

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[/indent]Do you have the manufacturer’s details?

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Second thought – I wonder if it is a limitation with your system…?

MSKB 906472: You cannot format a Memory Stick removable media device by using the FAT32 file system on a Windows XP-based computer – “Additionally, you cannot format a Memory Stick Pro high-capacity device that is larger than 2 gigabytes (GB) at all because there is no option for the FAT32 file system and because the FAT file system does not support storage devices that are larger than 2 GB.

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Unfortunately, my friend bought it on e-bay so no instructions.

Any work around?

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Now that I have the device in my hot little hands I am embarrassed to say that it is a USB Flash memory stick.

and not the flat cards.

My friend has said she has never used it to its full capacity.

I tried to defrag it (just a shot) and the Analysis Properties Volume (I
Volume size = 3.99 GB
Cluster size = 4 KB
Used space = 2.07 GB
Free space = 1.92 GB
Percent free space = 48 %

Volume fragmentation
Total fragmentation = 0 %
File fragmentation = 0 %
Free space fragmentation = 0 %

File fragmentation
Total files = 0
Average file size = 0 bytes
Total fragmented files = 0
Total excess fragments = 0
Average fragments per file = 0.00

Pagefile fragmentation
Pagefile size = 0 bytes
Total fragments = 0

Folder fragmentation
Total folders = 1
Fragmented folders = 1
Excess folder fragments = 0

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Who manufactured it ??? Memorex, Kingston….. ??

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Also… what OS are you running. Some require drivers be installed for use with Windows 98 but not with XP, 2000 or ME.

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Don’t know the make.

The stick has only been used on PCs running Windows XP.

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Plug in the stick and then go to My Computer. Right click on the drive, select Properties>Hardware tab and then look in the list of available devices. That should tell you who made it.

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What is the problem with doing a format of the USB memory? It appears to have a total capacity of aprox. 4 GB.

A completely different matter would be if you couldn’t see a reported total capacity that was equal to expected total capacity. With the use of, for instance Kingston’s software called SecureTraveler, TravelerSafe+ etc. depending on their USB memory model, one can create a hidden “Privacy Zone”, another partition if one like. In that case it can look weird: 700 MB total capacity on a 1 GB mem. since when not mounting the Privacy Zone the OS only finds the public zone, in the example 700 MB. No way it shows 1 GB. On the other hand, when the Privacy Zone is mounted every Windows tool reports aprox. 290 MB total capcity (given the fact that a 1 GB memory formatted has around 990 MB capacity including the software mentioned). But even if someone had used such software, a format would wipe the the memory. In you case the reported total capacity is at least equal to expected.

It looks like a FAT32 4 GB volume with 16 kB cluster size (could also be NTFS 4 kB at 4 GB). If the owner is trying to restore total capacity, and knows that every valuable file has been removed, why not do a format.

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just a long shot, have you checked for hidden files and folders on the stick?

Ken

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Yep, no files or folders

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