[SOLVED] Cannot (re)format USB pendrive

rm_-rf_windows · 09-09-2017, 04:55 AM

I'm on Linux 10.04.
I'm using GParted
Error details:

Code:

GParted 0.5.1

Libparted 2.2
Format /dev/sdb1 as fat32  00:00:02    ( ERROR )
         
calibrate /dev/sdb1  00:00:00    ( SUCCESS )
         
path: /dev/sdb1
start: 1
end: 120824864
size: 120824864 (57.61 GiB)
set partition type on /dev/sdb1  00:00:00    ( SUCCESS )
         
new partition type: fat32
create new fat32 file system  00:00:00    ( ERROR )
         
mkdosfs -F32 -v -n "" /dev/sdb1
         
mkdosfs 3.0.7 (24 Dec 2009)
mkdosfs: unable to open /dev/sdb1

=================================

Any ideas?

malekmustaq · 09-09-2017, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Cannot (re)format USB pendrive
I'm on Linux 10.04.
I'm using GParted

Current Linux Kernel is only in Version 4 I think. Where did you get that 10?
Of course any USB pendrive can be reformatted as long as it is not locked.

m.m.

michaelk · 09-09-2017, 07:13 AM

10.4 is the Ubuntu version the OP is running.

flash drives do fail. Have you tried deleting the MBR/partition table completely?

rm_-rf_windows · 09-10-2017, 09:10 AM

Yeah, I understand what you are saying, however, I'm using a machine I had 5 years ago and a USB pendrive I had 5 years ago. I don't understand why anything should have changed. I'm working locally.

Yes, I have tried creating a new partition table altogether.

That said, and in general, I haven't had problems with my Ubuntu 10.04 version of GParted. I suspect it may simply be a bug in my version of GParted that only happens with this particular pendrive. I am able to use the pendrive (mount, unmount, format, etc.) using other tools.

Because of this, I am going to close this thread, or mark it "SOLVED" in any case, because this has not continued to be a problem. I have found alternatives.

Many thanks for your response.

RM