[SOLVED] How long does it take to full format a 1/2 terabyte flash drive? I've been waiting.

[jimmybrown]

I'm trying to convert my Phillips 3.0 fash drive from FS to NTFS using Windows command-line. The flash drive has always been slow. It contains about 150 GB out of 1/2 terabyte of storage. How much longer can I expect to wait? It has been almost 10 hours now and I'm getting nervous. I know that it's still doing something because the flash drive has a flickering light.

 

[popatim]

This entirely depends on the speed of the Flash drive.
A full format writes and reads the entire drive checking for bad sectors.

At this point, your data is erased. I would cancel the full format and do a quick format.

 

[jimmybrown]

The read speed is up to 100 MB/s. The write speed is up to 30 MB/s. When mine is writing though, it usually varies between 20 and zero. People have said that they've done this conversion without losing data, and I'd rather not lose data because I have a couple things that are not backed up.

 

[jimmybrown]

Also, is there a way I can see how much progress is being made? Like how much time is left or the percentage?

 

[USAFRet]

The read speed is up to 100 MB/s. The write speed is up to 30 MB/s. When mine is writing though, it usually varies between 20 and zero. People have said that they've done this conversion without losing data, and I'd rather not lose data because I have a couple things that are not backed up.

Wait....you're doing, from your title, a "full format".
Yet there is (or rather WAS) data on this that you still need?

 

[Lafong]

Also, is there a way I can see how much progress is being made? Like how much time is left or the percentage?

There is no accurate way.

What file system are you converting FROM?

I'm not familiar with the "FS" file system.

You say from the command line. What exact command did you use?

 

[jimmybrown]

I used

CONVERT d: /FS:NTFS /NOSECURITY

I saw that from a YouTube video with lots of comments saying they used it without losing data. I didn't think this would take such a long time.

I'm converting from FAT32.

 

[jimmybrown]

Wait....you're doing, from your title, a "full format".
Yet there is (or rather WAS) data on this that you still need?

I think I'm doing a full format because this is taking a billion years. Not a good idea in hindsight. Should have backed up a few things and then performed a quick format. This is now a waiting game and I'm not 100% certain if I'll get the data back.

 

[USAFRet]

I think I'm doing a full format because this is taking a billion years. Not a good idea in hindsight. Should have backed up a few things and then performed a quick format. This is now a waiting game and I'm not 100% certain if I'll get the data back.

Thats probably a 99.99% no, on getting your data back.

 

[jimmybrown]

I unplugged the flash drive in the middle of formatting because I was just going to quit on it. I put it back in and got a Windows pop-up saying that the flash drive had major issues, so I click on it for a "scan and repair". Windows actually did its job and fixed things, my data is still there! I was able to open them without problems. What a relief, I was getting pretty annoyed. It's still in FAT32 format by the way.

 

[mdd1963]

Thats probably a 99.99% no, on getting your data back.

I largely concur, but, with several more 9's piggybacking onto the right!