Windows XP forum: reformat partitioned usb memory stick

by: misandry June 4, 2010 7:42 AM PDT

0 people like this thread

Staff pick

reformat partitioned usb memory stick

by misandry - 6/4/10 7:42 AM

i accidentally deleted the little program thing that hid the secret partition on my USB, so i can't access the files. I don't care about this though. I want to reformat my memory stick so that i have full access to the whole 2gbs, and not just the one gig of the open side of the partition. (leaving one gig on the inaccessible side). I've tried reformatting the usual way, but only the accessible side gets formatted. how do i completely wipe the entire drive so that i can get access to a whole 2gbs of (blank) space?

Report offensive post

Email to friend

Total posts: 10 (Showing page 1 of 1)

Thread display preference:
Collapsed
Expanded

Back to Windows XP

Tracked Track this thread

Try the HP USB Stick Formatter.

by R. Proffitt - 6/4/10 7:49 AM

In Reply to: reformat partitioned usb memory stick by misandry

Last time I used google to find it. I think the words are ...

HP USB MEMORY FORMATTER

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick

Report offensive post

Email to friend

Permalink

only formats one side of partition

by misandry - 6/4/10 8:12 AM

In Reply to: Try the HP USB Stick Formatter. by R. Proffitt

This doesn't solve my problem
- The memory stick is 2GB
- I can only access 1GB because of the secure partition thing
- The software key that enabled me to access the secure 1GB has been deleted
- All the reformat things I have tried just reformat the 1GB side
- I want to totally wipe the drive so that I can have the full 2GB back
- I know this will be blank space. this is what i want.

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick

Report offensive post

Email to friend

Permalink

I'm unsure if you used this tool.

by R. Proffitt - 6/4/10 8:21 AM

In Reply to: only formats one side of partition by misandry

I was able to reclaim the full use of partitioned sticks with this.

Let's say the HP format didn't work for you. Let's get out the next POWER TOOL (emphasis mine) called GPARTED. See google. It's easy to use and what I use for partition work when the Windows Partition Manager won't do.
Bob

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick

Report offensive post

Email to friend

Permalink

I'm sure i used this tool :)

by misandry - 6/5/10 3:32 AM

In Reply to: I'm unsure if you used this tool. by R. Proffitt

i think that perhaps the reason it didn't work is because the partition is a security thing and it's hidden??? anyway, i tried and nothing so far has recognized the full 2gbs that i know are there.....
I'll try gparted now and see how that goes...

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick

Report offensive post

Email to friend

Permalink

gpart too complicated

by misandry - 6/5/10 4:14 AM

In Reply to: I'm sure i used this tool :) by misandry

ok so i recon you are right that gpart will do the job for me. only problem is it's way to technical for me and i haven't a clue how to go about things. The partition i want wiped is on memory stick not hard drive... what now?

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick

Report offensive post

Email to friend

Permalink

GPARTED is not complicated.

by R. Proffitt - 6/5/10 5:25 AM

In Reply to: gpart too complicated by misandry

It's actually easier than the Windows Partitioning tool. And both use the mouse.

Let's get a picture of GPARTED running. http://gparted.sourceforge.net/screens/gparted_7_big.png

Not to offend you but where it has Partition, Delete is too technical? If so I fear that buying a new stick is best.
Bob

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick

Report offensive post

Email to friend

Permalink

gpart problem

by misandry - 6/5/10 2:30 PM

In Reply to: GPARTED is not complicated. by R. Proffitt

heh heh yeah all this trouble for a memory stick.

I downloaded what i thought was gpart but it was a big iso, and then when i virtual mounted it i still didn't get anywhere.

so i haven't actually got the program running. that's the problem...

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick

Report offensive post

Email to friend

Permalink

That's very strange.

by R. Proffitt - 6/5/10 6:07 PM

In Reply to: gpart problem by misandry

The gparted iso I use is gparted-live-0.5.2-9.iso and is 119.4 MB.

It's a liveCD so I'm unsure how mounting it virtually would do any good here. I know this is asking a lot but why not use it like the rest of us?

More at the Gparted site "As a rule of thumb, it is always the best idea to handle partitioning from live CD environment. Not surprisingly, almost every single modern Linux distro ships as a bootable live CD. Not only does this allow you to get a first impression of the operating system and check hardware compatibility before deciding whether to commit the distro to hard disk, it also allows you to perform maintenance operations from the live environment. "
Bob

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick

Report offensive post

Email to friend

Permalink

i'm just useless

by misandry - 6/10/10 7:53 PM

In Reply to: That's very strange. by R. Proffitt

i couldn't burn the iso for some reason. i burnt it but it was just a disk with files.

anyway

i solved my original problem by finding the original partition/security thing on another memory stick. i stuck it on the reformatted one and hey presto it said i needed a password (ie. the original one) and hey presto i had full access to the other side. i guess that's an interesting lesson i.e. reformatting is not as entire and complete when there are hidden partitions.

anyway, i have the full 2gb space now, and i'm happy.

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick

Report offensive post

Email to friend

Permalink

Thread display preference:
Collapsed
Expanded

Back to Windows XP

Tracked Track this thread

Total posts: 10 (Showing page 1 of 1)

More Discussions

Forum Icon Legend

Unread
Read
Locked thread

Moderator
CNET Staff
Samsung Staff
Norton Authorized Support Team
AVG Staff
avast! Staff
Webroot Support Team
Acer Customer Experience Team
Windows Outreach Team
DISH staff

Dell Staff
Intel Staff
Question
Resolved question
General discussion
Tip
Alert or warning
Praise
Rant

You are e-mailing the following post: Post Subject

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

You are reporting the following post: Post Subject

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

You are posting a reply to: Post Subject

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. Please refer to the CNET Forums policies for details. All submitted content is subject to CBS Interactive Site Terms of Use.

Subject title (required, 60 characters max): Message body:

You are currently tracking this discussion. Click here to manage your tracked discussions.

Track this thread and email me when there are updates. Please read before posting

If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem. Also please exercise your best judgment when posting in the forums--revealing personal information such as your e-mail address, telephone number, and address is not recommended.

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem generating the preview. Please try again.

Duplicate posts are not allowed in the forums. Please edit your post and submit again.

Submit Reply Preview Cancel

Thank you, , your post has been submitted.

> Click here to view your post. > Manage your tracked discussions. > Track this discussion. Close

Thank you, , your post has been submitted and will appear on our site shortly.

Close

CNET Forums

Operating systems forums

Popular Forums

Windows XP forum: reformat partitioned usb memory stick

More Discussions

Forum Icon Legend

Old Thread Warning!