Member Avatar for umeraziz2002

Hi to all

I have a flash drive of 64 mb Samsung. Last month i formated it using the format utility of its manfacturer CD. And that's it........ its size decreased to 32 mb. I tried my best to recover its size but all in vain.... I tried the format utility of Windows and also disk management tool but no new result...... I think its partition table has been changed......... And very sadly saying i have not seen a partition utility which deals with flash drives............ Is there anybody who can tell me what to do or url of any partition or format utility.

Thnks

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  • 8 Replies
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  • 5 Years Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by usahomegoods

Dani AI

Generated

Short summary and likely causes: the manufacturer utility that ran changed how the USB controller reports the device (not just the partition table). That can be harmless (a partition/MBR problem), or it can be a controller/firmware change, a damaged NAND chip, or — in rare cases — a counterfeit device reporting false capacity. Both ’s Disk Management approach and ’s hardware-failure note are valid: if Windows can still see the full raw capacity the problem is logical; if the controller reports the smaller size the problem is physical or firmware-level.

Non-destructive checks (work from safe to more invasive):

  • Back up any visible data first.
  • Use Windows diskpart to see the raw disk size and remove any stray partition table entries (this is different from the Disk Management GUI).
    open an elevated Command Prompt
diskpart
list disk
select disk X    <-- confirm the USB by size
detail disk
clean            <-- removes partition table (destructive to data)
create partition primary
format fs=fat32 quick
assign
exit

    If diskpart still shows the smaller capacity, the controller/firmware or NAND is at fault.

Verify physical capacity and integrity: run a full-write/read verifier such as H2testw (Windows) or F3 (Linux/Mac). These tools detect fake or re-mapped capacity by writing through the whole reported space and checking for errors.

When to stop and replace: if a physical test fails or the controller reports reduced capacity even after cleaning, replacement (as suggested) is usually the most reliable option. If the drive is from a reputable brand and under warranty, contact the vendor rather than using third‑party firmware tools — those can permanently brick the device.

Recommended Answers

All 8 Replies

Member Avatar for goldeagle2005

It would seem to me that one or more of the semiconductor ICs in the drive have become toast.

There's nothing you can do save get a new drive

Member Avatar for infinitespace

This happened to me when I formatted a 2 gb consiar flash drive and a 2 gb sd memory card for my camera. I was using them as boot drives for linux. Anyway here is how I fixed them.

1. plug in drive
2. go to control panel
3. Select admin tools
4. Select computer management
5. Select Storage
6. Select Disk management
The window will display all disks including flash drives. Right click on each partition selecting delete partition. Delete any and all partitions on the flash drive
7. uninstall the drive
8. Unplug the drive
9. Restart computer
10. After windows had completely loaded plug the drive back in and windows should prompt you to format it. Do it. In the capacity scroll menu check to see that the drive is back tot its appropriate size.

Member Avatar for ariesarehman

@ Infinite Space:

My Flash Drive Kingstone 32gb has size decreased to 2gb.

I have same problem with my 32gb flash drive, i tried what you have stated here..
but there, at diskmanagement, when i right click on flash drive, the format option seems off.
what to do now ?

commented: Zombie -1
Member Avatar for Portgas D. Ace

At about $20 for an 8GB USB, I would simply purchase a new one.

Member Avatar for jingda

Hi guys please take note of the dates the next time. This thread is already 5 years old. Thanks for your understanding

Member Avatar for Roshkj

,

Is your format for the file system is changed?
I think if you go for a low level formating, your problem can be solved. note that after a low level formating it is advisable to do a normal formatting. all the best

Member Avatar for jingda

Guys please create a new thread, i know you guys have a lot of brilliant solutions but post it in a new thread!

commented: Don't use your own account to give yourself rep. -3
Member Avatar for usahomegoods

Purchasing a new one is the best option as everyone here claims. But just in case you still love your old one and want to stay with it , you better try boot time hard drive partition tools.

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