Problem with USB Flash Drive

This is my first attempt at using a flash drive. I recently purchased a new laptop, and wanted to carry some files from my old computer over to it, while also having the ability to access them without carrying the computer around. I purchased a white Toshiba 64 GB flash drive.

I have some pictures and video that I wanted to copy onto this flash drive, in two different folders titled "Pics" and "Vids" respectively. A few days ago, I carried over a handful of both short and long video clips (ranging from 0:10 to over 1 hour) and a a bunch of pictures (500-1000 or so). When I plug the flash drive in, both these folders I created show up, and the Vids folder opens up with all the videos I copied into in. However, the Pics file shows an "album cover" (one of the pictures I carried over), but reads "Empty" and when I click on it there is nothing inside.

I tried to carry over some more pictures and videos today, and after my computer is done copying them to the flash drive they all show up and open as they should, but once I remove the flash drive and plug it back in they disappear (the originals from a few days ago DO show up still). I tried plugging the flash drive into my new laptop to see if my current computer was just having some type of error, but I got the same result.

I did a little bit of research and scanned the flash drive for errors by clicking Properties --> Tools -- > Error Checking --> Check Now. This did not solve the problem. I also clicked the option to "Safely Remove" and "Eject" rather than just pulling out the USB when the files were done copying.

 

I tried again today and was able to carry over a few pictures. Instead of dragging them into one of the folders I created on the flash drive, I just dragged them to the flash drive itself (not sure if I worded that correctly, but I am sure you know what I am trying to say).

The pictures are now there, but they will not open. When I attempt to open one, it says that "the format is not supported, or you do not have updates to Windows Photo Gallery"...but if I open the same picture straight my from my computer's hard drive, it works fine. I also tried opening the pictures from the flash drive through Paint, and I got another error message saying it wasn't able to open them.

 

I contacted the seller today (bought it on eBay) and he said try formatting it. I did that, but after 30-45 mins. a window popped up that said "Windows could not format this disk" or something along those lines...

 

Stop playing with this; return this defective drive.

All a USB key does is copy files - if it can't do that; it isn't working (period).


I wouldn't try another Toshiba USB drive either...

(If their HDD's are anything to go by).

 

Do you have a recommendation for a "good" USB drive? I was under the impression that Toshiba was a well-known brand that made quality products, and I was able to get this one for rather cheap, at $25 for a 64 GB unit...not that I need 64 GB; 32 GB would probably be perfect.

 

Wow, that is cheap (but too cheap, I think).

I have used Patriot, Kingston and SanDisk products with good results. Some early Patriot USB keys (64GB's actually) were DOA, but other than that, you're looking closer to $1/GB for a quality memory stick.

 

I've had good success with Mushkin Enhanced Ventura Pro. It's USB 3.0 32GB and 64GB. The Pro is their current top of the line about $48 for 64GB. It's not the fastest but still good speeds. The speeds will play a role in the price for 3.0.

For USB 2.0 the tiny Patriot Axle has been reliable up to 32GB, again not fast. There were numerous bad reviews on early 64GB.

Personally, I wouldn't buy USB thumb drives off of ebay. Too many fakes, fake capacity. Frankenflash drives XD

Test your Flash after you get it. These two programs will write to the entire drive and verify/read what was written. Check Flash (Chkflsh) and H2testw. I use them both interchangeably. Before I use it, I test it. H2testw is the simplest... almost no options. Check Flash can also give you read and write speeds. Oh yeah, they're free!:thumbsup:

Check Flash home:
HOME PAGE OF MISHA CHERKES

Google translate of H2testw home English:
Google Translate

A small review with a GUI screenshot and dl. links to both apps.
3 Tools to Check and Test USB Flash Drive

H2testw a little more in depth:
H2testw English Windows | Fake Flash Memory Information - FlashChipDirector