Can't format USB

Rothko

My laptop tells me that I need to format one of my USB sticks but when I try to do this, I get this message:

Windows Can't Format G
Check to see that the disk and drive are connected properly, make sure that the disk is not read-only, and then try again. For more information, search Help for read-only files and how to change them.

I'm not really sure what to do. I'd like to not have to delete the files that are on the USB if possible. Any suggestions to what I can do?

Doylers

http://hddguru.com/software/HDD-LLF-Low-Level-Format-Tool/

My favourite tool for when **** wont format

mordeith

Try the stick on another pc first. If you have the same issues then it's probably corrupt. Try Recuva to see if it can retrieve any of the data. Formating will erase all data on the drive.

Johnboy1951

Rothko wrote: »

My laptop tells me that I need to format one of my USB sticks but when I try to do this, I get this message:

Windows Can't Format G
Check to see that the disk and drive are connected properly, make sure that the disk is not read-only, and then try again. For more information, search Help for read-only files and how to change them.

I'm not really sure what to do. I'd like to not have to delete the files that are on the USB if possible. Any suggestions to what I can do?

If you format it you will lose the files!

Backup first.

Rothko

I'm not sure i I can backup the USB as I can't open it. Whenever I try to, I get the message to format it.

Johnboy1951

Rothko wrote: »

I'm not sure i I can backup the USB as I can't open it. Whenever I try to, I get the message to format it.

I would try it on a different operating system to see if it is recognised.

If not, and there are files on there that are important, then a recovery process would be called for ...... and likely successful if you have not done anything further to the device.

Skerries

there may be a physical lock on the key itself but as said if you format it it will delete everything
if you can try and download a Linux trial disk to see if it it is picked up on that

diskpart