Flash Drive Problems...

Well, I am currently annoyed beyond all belief at a flash drive I just purchased.



Brand: Memorex "Mini TravelDrive?U3 256MB"

Link: http://www.memorex.com/html/products...=150&opento=12



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I uninstalled this "U3" feature for being an annoyance, with their installer thinking it was the problem, but it did not help. The problem, seeing as restoring the U3 feature is impossible at this point, is to simply format the drive and have it retain data. The problem existed before and after the U3 program's removal.

• I understand formatting, etc... but the problem here is, after doing so, removing it from the computer, properly of course, it loses the files upon next inserting.
  
• I have tried FAT, FAT32, and NTFS, all of which were to no avail.
  
• When inserted, 10% of the time, it holds the data, but fails once inserted the other times, thus lowering the odds of my files remaining.
  
• It does allow me to write data, then cut/copy it back properly.
  
• Scandisk has found no problem.
  
• Note that the drive is functioning while plugged in, but loses information upon removal, almost like a RAM chip upon shutdown.

If anyone can point me to a solution, please advise me.

do you use the "safe to remove hardware" option in the taskbar before you remove the drive?

Yes, I used that feature on occasions and not on occasions, along with shutdowns, etc...



I have done everything within standard knowledge on this problem. Third party software excluded, because I do not wish to accidentally acquire CWS or some other object of annoyance.



In other words, can anyone point me in the direction of a program that would DEFINITELY solve the problem? Or, at least diagnose it?

i have a U3 drive, but i am smart and didnt delete it because its important

The U3 software is not important. It is an idiot's guide to using a flash drive, especially for the less technically inclined. Plus, it takes up eight megabytes, valuable space in my opinion, and installs some software upon each plug in, in order to work, as well as forces a virtual drive into existence.

Getting back on track. I need a response, even if it means you tell me that the drive is dead, throw it out. I just want to know if there is some rational explanation.

All U3 does is let you run applications that need registry settings to run on a system where you cannot modify the registry.



Your drive may very well be dead but did you notice if the drive 'held' the files when you safely removed it?

It should still be under warranty, no? RMA it, and pay the small restocking fee.

That about wraps up my thread then. Delete this thread please. Thanks.