Two same formatted 32GB USB thumb drives: One works the other doesn’t. Why?

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I have two Samsung USB (thumb) flash drives.  They are the same type and model.  Both are 32GB. Both are formatted FAT32 and contain the exact same files that I’m using for MP3 playback in my car.

Problem (refer to image)

When I plug the “bad” USB thumb drive into my car USB port, I get “Not Supported Device”.  Yet the other works fine.

The one that doesn’t work, says: “Basic Data Partition

The other that works, says: “Primary Partition”

I’ve tried using DiskPart commands, Windows Disk Management, Linux and deleting the partition and reformatting.

Any ideas appreciated

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I think that means one of the drives is using a GPT (vs MBR) partition table. Referring to your Disk Management screenshot, right-click the “Disk 2” or “Disk 3” block and select “Properties”. Compare the “Partition style” entries under the “Volumes” tab to see if they’re different.

 

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Mike

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Here are the screenshots of both drives

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Mike wrote:

he one that doesn’t work, says: “Basic Data Partition The other that works, says: “Primary Partition” I’ve tried using DiskPart commands, Windows Disk Management, Linux and deleting the partition and reformatting.

Make sure you have a copy of the “Bad” drive data.

In Disk Management:
Select the “bad” drive with the Basic Data Partition (which is GPT)
Right click and Delete Volume
After deletion
Right click the drive and select Convert GPT tp MBR Disk.
Transfer the data back on the disk.

Not sure if you need to reformat the disk after conversion, but it will let you know when you try to add data to the disk.

HTH, Dana:))

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Mike, TechTango

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Using Windows 10 Pro 22H2

Deleted Volume

Then, I don’t see that next step/ option.  Here’s what I see on a right click.

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Right click on the block to the left, where it says “Disk 2”.

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Mike

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After the disk is cleared of any existing volumes, right-click the “Disk x” block on the left and select to convert to MBR. Then go back to the right side of the display and create a volume anew.

 

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Mike, PL1

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For some reason, after deleting the Volume, I never had the option to convert using either block (left or right).

So instead, I used command.com and diskpart using the covert mbr command.  That worked.

Question now:  Is there a standard for a removable USB thumb drive? Why MBR for just MP3 data playback?  And why would one of these wind up GPT?

Baffled for sure.  Thanks so much and I hope this process helps someone else.

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Mike wrote:

Question now:  Is there a standard for a removable USB thumb drive? Why MBR for just MP3 data playback?  And why would one of these wind up GPT?

Most USB drives I’ve seen come with FAT32, and it is the default readable by most systems. There is a limit of 4GB with Windows, so if the files are larger than 4GB, the format needs to be NTFS or exFAT. But in this case, you want it to be readable in your car, so FAT32 is the best option. As for why it was GPT? Hard to say. It’s possible your “new” flash drive was previously used. But that’s just a WAG.

Here is what my system shows when I right click on the USB drive in Computer Management.

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Mike wrote:

Is there a standard for a removable USB thumb drive? Why MBR for just MP3 data playback?  And why would one of these wind up GPT?

Strange that the Covert GPT to MBR option was not there. Maybe a refresh is needed.
Glad you used Diskpart which is another way to convert.

GPT is a newer format to replace MBR and its limits for use in larger drives. GPT is used mostly for boot drives such as a USB boot disk. Your car doesn’t want to boot the disk, just read data. The software in a car usually will accept only FAT, FAT32, or some newer ones accept EXFAT; but should be MBR with a Primary partition.

HTH, Dana:))

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Drcard:)) wrote:

Strange that the Covert GPT to MBR option was not there.

I wonder if it is because the OP deleted the volume, so there was nothing to convert.

ETA: I guess that doesn’t make much sense since it was done via command line.

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Yes that happens where a user deletes the volume instead of reformatting said volume. Rebuild the MBR with CMD is then needed..

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PL1

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PL1 wrote:

I wonder if it is because the OP deleted the volume, so there was nothing to convert.

R-Type wrote:

Yes that happens where a user deletes the volume instead of reformatting said volume. Rebuild the MBR with CMD is then needed..

Not according to Microsoft and their published instructions to convert GPT to MBR:

Convert a GPT disk into an MBR disk

HTH, Dana:))

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PL1

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You need a good free partition manager like AOMEI Partition Assistant.

 

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