Jump to content

USB boot prep tool killed my flash drive


MaximilianKohler

Recommended Posts

I can't copy any files to the drive. When I plug in the flash drive I get a popup saying that the drive needs to be formatted before it can be used. Most of the time I can't format it (gives errors - cannot format this drive), but even when I'm able to I still can't copy any files to the drive. I get the error "file or directory is corrupted and unreadable". I can't even run chkdsk on the drive.

I've tried a number of programs to fix the drive: flash_repair 2.0, testdisk 6.14, icaredrs from here: http://freeware-fix.blogspot.com/2013/02/pen-drive-unreadable.html

WinToolKit's USB boot prep reads the drive as RAW format, 1 partition, correct size, bootable false, status OK. Running it through the Quick or Full(format) options don't seem to change anything.

Edited by MaximilianKohler
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hmm, I have xp installed on another partition and under xp the drive showed up properly under the disk management and I was able to format it there.

I copied over my finished win7 install onto the drive but it's not bootable so I guess I'll have to find some other way of making it bootable.

If the original error that I got when trying to use WinCert's USB boot tool has to do with win7 or 64 bit there should be a warning. Not everyone might be as lucky to have an xp partition handy.

I guess I'll just stick to installing Windows7-USB-DVD-tool to make my USB bootable.

Edited by MaximilianKohler
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You do realize that flash media only has so many write cycles and then they die...right?

Try it on a different machine.

If it's dead, then throw it out (or smash it with a hammer to vent your frustration) and buy another one.  They're cheap now.

Edited by Mr_Smartepants
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I did read all your posts, and I also thought it sounded like your USB stick was dying, and your thread title kind of implied...  Glad you got it working.

 

Cheers and Regards

Edited by bphlpt
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...