128GB Flash Drive Only Formatting Up To 32GB

[Urzu1000]

The title pretty much sums it up. I have a magnum 128GB USB 3.0 flash drive that I've been using for a while. Yesterday, I needed to reinstall Windows 8 but required a copy to be on a DVD or Flash Drive. The flash drive was handy, so I let it copy itself onto there, which required it be reformatted. When it finished, the drive only had 32GB available. I wiped it when I was done, but no matter the formatting type, Windows 8 won't seem to let me format it above 32GB. It doesn't seem to even read the size of my flash drive. Any idea how to get back to my comfortable 128GB of storage space?

 

[popatim]

Check with disk management as often there is just unallocated space not being used and you keep formatting the small partition. If disk management sees the entire drive the delete all the existing partitions and then create a new one using the full capacity.

You can get to disk management by running diskmgmt.msc

 

[mbarnes86]

Hi

Windows XP, Vista, 7 & 8 generally will not format large disks as FAT 32 (eg greater than 32GB)
options NTFS or VFAT

see this guide for doing a format to FAT 32 at command prompt

http://geekdrop.com/content/how-to-format-hard-drive-to-fat32-in-windows-7-or-vista-or-in-general

regards
Mike Barnes

 

[Urzu1000]

Check with disk management as often there is just unallocated space not being used and you keep formatting the small partition. If disk management sees the entire drive the delete all the existing partitions and then create a new one using the full capacity.

You can get to disk management by running diskmgmt.msc

I can see there's disk space unallocated just as you said. However, I'm not finding a way to combine them or delete one of them as you suggested. The "delete" is greyed out.

 

[popatim]

delete the existing partition and the drive should show up as completely unallocated.
Then you can rt click and select new simple volume which should allow you to format the entire drive as one partition.

 

[Urzu1000]

I apologize. I don't think I worded it well before, so there was a bit of confusion. I can't figure out any way to delete the current active partition.
The option is greyed out.

 

[mbarnes86]

Hi

If you can not re partition or format under Windows try booting PC from a Linux Live CD
or look for software on manufactures web site

gparted project recommended

regards
Mike Barnes

 

[rfinnigan]

open a CMD window
run CMD
in DOS run "diskmgmt.msc"
in DOS run "diskpart.exe"
New window opens.

In new window prompt is "DISKPART"
In DISKPART run "rescan"
In DISKPART run "list disk"
My bad USB Stick is listed "Disk 1"
In DISKPART run "select 1"
In DISKPART RUN "CLEAN" should get msg "DiskPart succeeded in cleaning the disk."

Now check the Disk Management window for a "Disk 1" Removable 119.25 GB on line.
Black bar on entire Disk 1 as 119.25 GB unallocated.
In DISKPART run "create partition primary"
Should get msg: "DiskPart succeeded in creating the specified partition"

Now check the Disk Management window for a "Disk 1" Removable 119.25 GB on line
Blue bar on entire Disk 1 as (E "119.25 GB RAW Healthy (Primary Partition)".
Right Click in blue bar space of disk 1 (E in "Disk Management" window.
Select FORMAT
New window opens to FORMAT E: fill in as you like :
Volume label: "USB128"
File system: "NTFS" or "exFAT"
Allocation unit size: "Default"
check "Perform a quick format"
click "OK" Window opens to make sure so just hit "ok" again.
Now check the Disk Management window for a "Disk 1" Removable 119.25 GB on line
Blue bar on entire Disk 1 as (E "119.25 GB NTFS Healthy (Primary Partition)".
Close and Exit DISKPART> EXIT
Exit Disk Management
Exit CMD if it is still running C:|Windows|System32> exit
Check the Win8 "This PC" to verify disk "USB128" is shown with 119 GB free of 119GB.

Worked with my bad format 32GB Cruzer that was really a 128GB.

 

[Urzu1000]

Thank you for that lol. This is a pretty old thread, but it'll be nice if anyone else has the same problem. I became pretty adept at the diskpart commands since I had my primary SSD (with my OS) fail a few weeks ago 😛

 

[royatakshi]

Thanks so much rfinnigan
I did exactly what you mentioned here and it worked like a charm for me, You saved my 30 dollars plus extra 15 dollars to rush the shipping.
The only additional I like to add for others is :

In DISKPART run "list disk"
My bad USB Stick is listed "Disk 1"
In DISKPART run "select 1" I Think I used " select disk" or " select disk 1" I am not going to repeat it anyways.
In DISKPART RUN "CLEAN" should get msg "DiskPart succeeded in cleaning the disk."

To get prompt window or command window in Windows 8 go to start page and type " command prompt" in search bar and choose " command window " and dos prompt opens up for you.
Thanks again
Good luck

 

[SpykerX07]

open a CMD window
run CMD
in DOS run "diskmgmt.msc"
in DOS run "diskpart.exe"
New window opens.

In new window prompt is "DISKPART"
In DISKPART run "rescan"
In DISKPART run "list disk"
My bad USB Stick is listed "Disk 1"
In DISKPART run "select 1"
In DISKPART RUN "CLEAN" should get msg "DiskPart succeeded in cleaning the disk."

Now check the Disk Management window for a "Disk 1" Removable 119.25 GB on line.
Black bar on entire Disk 1 as 119.25 GB unallocated.
In DISKPART run "create partition primary"
Should get msg: "DiskPart succeeded in creating the specified partition"

Now check the Disk Management window for a "Disk 1" Removable 119.25 GB on line
Blue bar on entire Disk 1 as (E "119.25 GB RAW Healthy (Primary Partition)".
Right Click in blue bar space of disk 1 (E in "Disk Management" window.
Select FORMAT
New window opens to FORMAT E: fill in as you like :
Volume label: "USB128"
File system: "NTFS" or "exFAT"
Allocation unit size: "Default"
check "Perform a quick format"
click "OK" Window opens to make sure so just hit "ok" again.
Now check the Disk Management window for a "Disk 1" Removable 119.25 GB on line
Blue bar on entire Disk 1 as (E "119.25 GB NTFS Healthy (Primary Partition)".
Close and Exit DISKPART> EXIT
Exit Disk Management
Exit CMD if it is still running C:|Windows|System32> exit
Check the Win8 "This PC" to verify disk "USB128" is shown with 119 GB free of 119GB.

Worked with my bad format 32GB Cruzer that was really a 128GB.

Thanks! This worked flawlessly but i had to type "select disk 5"