-=PCTechTalk=- Re: Formatting Flash Drives
- From: Gman <gman.pctt@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:04:09 -0400
Don,
The included apps are most likely set to launch manually or by Autorun.
You can easily tell which by looking for an autorun.ini file in the main
directory for the apps. These can be moved elsewhere or just deleted at
will if you have no use for them. Partitioning (or combining the two
partitions) can be done with pretty much any partitioning app, but there is
a question about whether WinXP or Vista will be able to recognize anything
past the first partition. The sticking point for me is the same one you've
hit with the choice of formatting that can be used. I've read that NTFS is
a no-no AND that it works perfectly (and the reasons are all over the
place). I would resist using FAT8 or FAT16 as many modern operating systems
won't be able to read them. You'll get the most compatibility going with
FAT32, which can be seen by Win98/ME as well as all NT based systems from
WinNT 4.0 on up to Vista.
As for your 4GB USB stick, remember the 2GB limitation on FAT32
partitions. Plus, if memory serves me right, there is some other type of
2GB limitation on some type of specific use for these devices, perhaps even
under NTFS. I tried a quick search for it to confirm, but came up short.
Your luck may turn out better, but I still felt it should be mentioned.
Peace,
G
"The only dumb questions are the ones that are never asked"
----- Original Message -----
From: <dsw32952@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, June 13, 2008 5:12 PM
Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- Formatting Flash Drives
> I've seen what appears to be some conflicting information about formatting
> flash drives. This mostly centers on what (or whose) format utility to
> use and whether to use FAT, FAT16, FAT32 or NTFS.
> I'm interested because I have a 1GB Ativa brand drive that apparently has
> two partitions. One about 4MB and full of a U3 launcher and associated
> "stuff", the other with the rest of the GB and about 10% used.
>
> I would like to eliminate all data from both partitions and then install
> my own portable apps launcher and RoboForm password manager in the small
> partition and the applications in the large partition.
>
> So, can I just delete everything without consequences? Can I use Windows
> Explorer>MyComputer>RightClick Drive Letter/Format to format the
> partitions? Use any file system? I suspect that FAT or FAT16 will be
> most practical for compatibility purposes but I would rather use NTFS to
> get the small sectors and save space on the drive.
>
> If I wanted to get rid of the extra partition and have just a single drive
> what utility should/could be used?
>
> Side note: I also have a 4GB SanDisk Flash Drive that is probably set up
> the same and I will want to fix it also.
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