Problems associated with the fact that sometimes a flash drive connected to a computer or laptop does not open, but writes: “Format the disk before use?”, Most likely, are familiar to the vast majority of users. At the same time, sometimes files on the media are visible, but it is impossible to perform any actions with them, however, the most common occurrence is a modified RAW file system, which is, so to speak, a crude structure, and not a file system in the usual sense. How to fix such errors, read on.
The flash drive does not open (writes: "Format?"). What is the reason?
First, we briefly dwell on the causes, and only after their determination we will make the very decision that will quickly eliminate the root cause of this phenomenon. The most common situations are considered to be the following:
- software damage to the controller firmware (for example, if the device was removed from the port incorrectly or at the time of operations with files or formatting);
- spontaneous file system change;
- working file system errors;
- exposure to viruses;
- malfunctioning of ports and USB-controllers due to mechanical damage or when drivers “crash”.
The flash drive does not open (writes: "Format?"). What to do first?
So, let's start with the simplest. Suppose that instead of offering to perform some action when connecting the device to the corresponding port, the USB flash drive writes: “Format the disk?”. It is clear that for some reason the operating system does not determine the medium as efficient and containing information. This may be partially due to short-term crashes of the OS itself. In this case, it is worth trying to connect the USB flash drive to another port or just restart the computer system.
Changing the RAW File System
If this does not help, and the flash drive does not open again, and writes: “Format?”, It is quite possible for it to have software failures, which is most often confirmed by the presence of the same RAW file system on it. At the same time, recorded files and even media capacity are not detected. However, it is good that the device itself is displayed in the system.
You can try to fix this problem by checking the disk, but not with the standard Windows tool, but through the command line, preferably run as administrator. The command chkdsk N: / f is written in it, where N is the device letter in Explorer. The combination “/ x / f / r” (without quotation marks, of course) can sometimes be used as additional verification attributes. It is these commands that not only check the device for errors and eliminate them, but also replace the incorrect file system.
Controller recovery
But we can assume that this did not give an effect, the flash drive does not open and writes: “Format?”. The RAW structure is such that formatting is indeed impossible, as a result of which the system reports that such actions are not applicable to RAW. Apparently, the problem is precisely in the software damage to the controller (firmware). For such situations, there is also a solution.
To begin with, you can use the definition of the VID and PID, for example, in the ChipGenius program, and then use them to search the Internet for the original firmware, download it and install it as the most common driver from an EXE file.
If such actions do not give a result, the flash drive does not open and writes: “Format?”, Here you should use special programs. It is completely optional to use exactly the utilities from the manufacturers of flash drives.
You can use some universal applications, among which the D-Soft Flash Doctor program looks good.
Low level formatting
But sometimes the restoration of the firmware doesn’t have the necessary action either, and the situation again manifests itself in which the flash drive does not open and writes: “Format”? What to do in this situation? The most cardinal, as it is believed, the method is the so-called low-level formatting, which in a sense resembles restoring the controller software environment to the factory state.
To perform such actions, the most powerful HDD LLFT utility is best suited, which is able to detect even the most catastrophically damaged media and recover them within a couple of minutes.
What to do if nothing helps?
Finally, let's assume that not a single technique worked. What else can be indicated as the cause of this phenomenon? Most likely, the drivers of the USB interfaces “flew”.
To fix the problem, you need to call the “Device Manager” and, at least through the use of the standard procedure, update the drivers of absolutely all the devices presented in the list of USB controllers. If the operating system doesn’t perform such a procedure, and even using the search for updated drivers, Windows will inform you that the most suitable software has already been installed, you can use automated programs like Driver Booster or DriverPack Solution, which can independently find the necessary drivers after recognizing the devices and install them into the system without the direct involvement of the user. If this does not give a result, most likely, you will have to check for mechanical damage and USB-ports, and a USB flash drive.