How to format a wretched Sony USB?

[mindsweeper]

Hi Guys,

I bought a 2gb Sony drive (

http://www.sony.net/Products/Me...ault/usm-jx.html)

in Japan about 2 weeks ago and I had no problems using it on a XP SP2 laptop. Upon returning home I plugged it into my desktop (Vista 64bit) intending it to be used for ReadyBoost and all hell broke loose. First Vista took an eternity to install the device. After that I was unable to copy or execute any operations on the device for any attempt to do so would result in a very long pause. After the pause, the device is still visible but all the files are gone.

Attempts to format the drive have resulted in Windows telling me the device cannot be formatted. I've even tried using a Mac to format it but to no avail. Sigh I spent $50 on this thing and its giving me problems that cheaper drives don't...

Thanks for any help

 

[ArizonaGeek]

Use Darik's Boot and Nuke to wipe the drive. Then format it in Windows. DBAN will kill everything so make sure you get the right drive and you want to wipe the entire thing clean. You probably only need to do a single pass.

Cheers
Rob

The answer is always "PEBKAC!

 

[wahnula]

Re: Darik's Boot and Nuke

I always disconnect my system drive when I run this utility...just to be safe! I agree that a single pass should be sufficient.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[mindsweeper]

Hello,

Thanks for the suggestions, but this thing is so flaky. When I tell DBAN to format the drive, it pauses for a long time before telling me the drive does not exist! This behavior repeats itself all the time, even when I want to open a folder. I'm thinking of sending it to the Sony repair center...

 

[ArizonaGeek]

If DBAN wont kill it than you're probably correct to send it to Sony. Sounds like there is something else going on with it.

Cheers
Rob

The answer is always "PEBKAC!