Windows

USB Drive Partition Problem

Posted by on Jun 13, 2008 | 4 Comments

Gnomie Apri Swajaya writes:

Hi Chris, My name is Apri (without the L) and i am from Bali, Indonesia. I’ve never caught you live on your Web site, but I subscribe to your videos on YouTube and watch them there. I wouldn’t have been following your videos if you had not made that rant about Windows Vista. Don’t get me wrong; I think it’s a great OS and my father uses it on his laptop.

Anyway, I’ve got a strange problem with my USB storage device. I bought a new USB a few months ago. The brand is NEXUS and it has a 4 gig storage capacity.

The problem is, when I plug in the USB it’s fine and it even includes software that allows you to partition the USB and password it (I guess it also can encrypt). So I partitioned the USB using the software but accidentally erased that software inside the USB while I was formatting (the software was stored on the USB when I got it). I wanted to erase the partition and make it 4 gig again, but I could not do that. I used the computer management tool and it showed that my USB has two master partitions.

I went to Google and got advice to use Partition Magic, Paragon Partition Management, and all kinds of software designed to help, but still no luck.

Can you or any of your readers or viewers help me with this? Is there another USB thumb drive out there that also includes software similar to mine? Anything would be fine and appreciated.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/leftystrat leftystrat

    have you tried any open source software? Clonezilla comes with a partition editor that might help. Also check into file recovery software for flash drives.

    Lastly, try a live linux cd like knoppix or ubuntu. Boot to it and you’ll find a lot of good software for this. Gparted comes to mind.

    Does the drive get recognized? It’s possibly just dead if it doesn’t.

    Good luck.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/theoracle/ the oracle

    Microsoft’s own tools are hopelessly lacking when dealing with screw ups caused by their operating systems -

    so, I would obtain a flavor of Linux that will install ‘live’ and use the partitioning tool to remove the offending partitions, after that the Microsoft disk tools should enable the formatting of the drive.

  • http://www.goretsky.com/ Aryeh Goretsky

    Hello,

    If the NEXUS 4GB USB flash drive came with a driver disc, it is possible a copy of the password protection software is on it as well and can be installed to regain access to the protected partition.

    Failing that, I would suggest contacting the manufacturer to obtain a copy of the software.

    Regards,

    Aryeh Goretsky

  • John

    Guess what !!..
    i m screwed with almost same problem but caused by a diiferent reason. I took an drive image of a 128MB FAT USB and tried to put it on my 4GB Transcend pendrive.(aka NERO BACKITUP). My 4GB USB was tranformed into a 124MB USB. now after so much excersise its still a 124MB flash disc. When i tried some sopisticated partition and recovery tools, its shows 4GB disk size but could not bring that space out for me…
    help me unlock my remaining 3.875 GB..