USB File Issues

[jeromebernardjames]

Have a number of USB Drives most of which are 4GB. Over the years have been able to download videos to these drives and playback on the Vizio D24-D1. Recently have navigated to the folders of the files only to find that no folders can be opened to view the files. Some intervention is necessary. Work almost exclusively on Windows machines. Seeking guidance on what should be done to these USB drives to make them ready for media files.

 

[InvalidError]

When thumb-drives are no longer responsive, it usually means that something has gone wrong and the drive went into write-protect mode to (hopefully) prevent further corruption. There is very little you can do about it other than attempt to format them to see if that will clear whatever they got stuck on.

 

[jeromebernardjames]

When thumb-drives are no longer responsive, it usually means that something has gone wrong and the drive went into write-protect mode to (hopefully) prevent further corruption. There is very little you can do about it other than attempt to format them to see if that will clear whatever they got stuck on.

Much thanks for the timely reply. Should have specified that videos and images placed in the past can be viewed. What would happen if I moved files to a google account... Is there such a thing as "formating" a USB drive? Would there be required USB 'stuff' that would need to be placed on the drive to make it usable? Continued guidance sought

 

[USAFRet]

"Over the years" regarding USB drives is doing really good.
Hopefully this is not the only copy of these files. Because that would be really bad.

If you can still read those files, move them to elsewhere...anywhere, soonest.

 

[InvalidError]

Is there such a thing as "formating" a USB drive?

Right-click the drive in Windows Explorer, you'll have a "Format" option. If the thumb-drive went read-only due to an internal error, that should reset it.