Best way to format 8GB USB Flash?

Kenai · 3 Sep 2009 at 15:18

Grabbed an 8GB SanDisk Cruzer Micro Skin the other day and was fiddling around with it today and tested the write speed at around 6.5MB/s and the read speed at around 30MB/s.

My old Cruzer Micro 4GB stick performed around 7.5MB/s but I had formatted that to NTFS a little while back, so I thought I would try the same with my new one, see if it improved a bit, as i've seen comments that the 'Skin' models are quicker.

Did a quick format to NTFS via right click format in Win 7 64, tested again and it had dropped to around 5MB/s write speed. Tried quick format back to FAT32, 4.5MB/s write speed. Full format FAT32 5MB/s, Full format NTFS 5.5MB/s. Read speed was always a constant 29-30MB/s

How can I get it back to performing at 6.5MB/s or have I ruined it forever the moment I decided to format it at all?

(I've been testing the speeds with an app called USBDeview)

JonJ678 · 3 Sep 2009 at 19:04

I zero the drive then format using gparted. I'd probably use fat32 but I hear ntfs is quicker.

Issue may be with windows 7 or with the testing program, the above will make sure it isn't an issue with windows.

Kenai · 6 Sep 2009 at 16:02

I'll give gparted a go, cheers.

SourChipmunk · 10 Feb 2010 at 21:03

Is there a way to partition a USB flash drive using Vista? There's currently a 250MB Linux partition on it and I would like to format it in FAT32. Vista recognizes it, but when I select format it only gives me an option for the 250MB partition. When I open it in Disk Management and attempt to remove the existing partitions so I can get the full 2GB, it says that feature isn't available with removable storage.

I miss fdisk.

bigG · 10 Feb 2010 at 21:06

Try swissknife

SourChipmunk · 10 Feb 2010 at 21:17

Neither swissknife nor Lexar's BootIt (which was recommended to flip the removable bit) recognize the drive. Bummer.

Fire Wizard · 10 Feb 2010 at 21:26

Just to possibly help Raist out, have you tried using Diskpart? I wrote a post in this thread here ( Post #2 ) today regarding the commands for Diskpart to hopefully help Joconnor ( The original thread starter of the thread I have just linked too ) out. Hopefully it will also be able to help you out as well with the small problem which you are currently experiencing.

SourChipmunk · 10 Feb 2010 at 21:33

Fire Wizard that worked absolutely perfectly! Amazing the tools that Microsoft builds in but doesn't tell anyone about (for safety's sake, of course).

I'll buy you a pint next time I'm in town.

Again, no amount of googling skills can match the power of OcUK.