[SOLVED] honked up thumb drives.

WacoJohn

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Apr 16, 2011
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I have a few Sandisk Extreme 3.0 64GB thumb drives. None are useable except one. They have been used in the past for various applications. They are possibly partitioned one way or another. The point is, only one seems to be useable and I would like to get 'em all 'revived'. Most will not be recognized as useable drives or some other failure occurs.

Example:

https://app.box.com/s/kptwkl232pnx9ts9smpayaed8cgocvpk

Disk 5 ... no problem. Disk 6 .. typical of those that don't work.

Hoping there is something I can do to return these devices to useable. Tried deleting partition(s) with W10 disk management ... doesn't seem I can really to anything with that except create a simple volume.

Thanks in advance.
 
Solution
The one that you cannot use has file systems that Windows did not recognize with what appears to be a 8GB boot partition on it. Getting rid of unknown partitions in Windows usually requires manual intervention using the diskpart command-line tool since Windows' GUI drive manager doesn't allow you to touch unknown partitions.

InvalidError

Titan
Moderator
The one that you cannot use has file systems that Windows did not recognize with what appears to be a 8GB boot partition on it. Getting rid of unknown partitions in Windows usually requires manual intervention using the diskpart command-line tool since Windows' GUI drive manager doesn't allow you to touch unknown partitions.
 
Solution

WacoJohn

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Apr 16, 2011
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Try reformatting.

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-format-usb-flash-drive-windows-10

Start with Disk 6.

Update your post as necessary regarding errors and problems.

Thank you Sir. None of the options at that link were applicable
W10 Explorer does not see the problem drive (6). (drive 5 shows up as 64GB E:)
No format option in Disk Management for Drive 6. Can only do New Simple Volume on unallocated partition.
No Delete Volume option in DM.
Powershell option ... way over my head.
 

Ralston18

Titan
Moderator
Seconding @InvalidError

FYI:

Use the following links to first "explore" the drives and then perhaps attempt removing the partitions.

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/list-of-diskpart-commands-windows

https://searchwindowsserver.techtar...t-to-create-extend-or-delete-a-disk-partition

The key is to ensure that any actions that you take are indeed on the desired drive or partition. And that all important data is indeed backed up.

You should always have all important data backed up beforehand in any case. At least 2 x and proven recoverable and readable.

If not, then do backups before working with the diskpart command-line tool.

And look for a knowledgeable family member or friend to help with the tool if you are uncomfortable about trying it all on your own.
 
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