| USB memory sticks are now an incredibly popular | | | | then its critical you copy it first. Once you've started |
| medium for storing and transporting data of all types | | | | the format process there is no way back so check |
| and sizes. Typical files stored on a memory stick | | | | any copy of the data is done before you start the |
| include personal and work documents, music tracks, | | | | process. |
| photos, media files, backups, portable applications and | | | | Step 2 - Formatting your USB Memory Stick on a PC |
| pretty much anything you can digitize. | | | | Click on the Windows "Start" icon in the bottom left |
| The available storage capacity on a stick now typically | | | | hand corner of your PC and then click on "My |
| exceeds 1GB and its not uncommon for even | | | | Computer" (or "Computer" in Vista or Windows 7). |
| promotional sticks to top 4GB. This is a huge amount | | | | Once you've done this your PC will perform a quick |
| of storage capacity, which is great, but unless you're | | | | scan and show you all of the drives installed or |
| pretty methodical when you use it the memory stick | | | | connected to your PC. You need to identify the drive |
| will very quickly become a cluttered "dumping ground" | | | | that has a "Removable Disk" icon. - click on it to be |
| for data. So much so that unless you start to organise | | | | sure its your USB flash drive. Once you are sure its |
| your data into files and folders subsequently finding | | | | your flash drive then right-click on the "Removable |
| files you need can become a bit of a nightmare. | | | | Disk" label. From here you will see a small drop down |
| Of course you can delete unwanted files but this won't | | | | menu that includes the option to "Format" - click this. |
| deal with the root of the problem so sometimes it | | | | At this point a dialog box will open giving you a couple |
| better to bite the bullet and completely erase all the | | | | of options; Leave the "Quick Format" option |
| data from the memory stick. Before you do this make | | | | unchecked because this will make sure absolutely |
| sure you copy all of the files onto your PC - you'll | | | | everything is deleted and deleted without errors. Click |
| probably want to transfer some of these back onto | | | | the "Start" button on the dialog and wait for your USB |
| the USB flash drives once its been erased of all data | | | | flash drive to be fully formatted. |
| and you've put in place some folders and a file | | | | Step 3 - Re-load your files |
| structure. | | | | Once your USB Memory Stick has been formatted |
| The best way to erase all of the files on a USB flash | | | | you'll have a blank canvas to work with. Its |
| drive (including any hidden files) is to format the drive. | | | | recommended that you then create folders and |
| At the end of the format process it will be completely | | | | sub-folders to copy your saved data back into to and |
| clean of all data and you'll then be able to create | | | | that you then get into the habit of saving your data in a |
| folders and sub-folders to transfer your data back into | | | | structured and organised way. |
| in. | | | | If you're a Mac user you can still format your USB |
| To format you USB Memory Stick just follow these | | | | Memory Stick as follows: |
| simple steps: | | | | Load up the "Disk Utility" program. You'll find this in the |
| Step 1 - Transfer any Data from the USB stick to your | | | | "Utilities folder" which you access via the "Applications |
| PC | | | | folder". Your USB flash drive should be in the list |
| Its important before you format your USB flash drive | | | | showing a white drive icon. Click that icon and select |
| that you first copy the files from it onto a host PC. | | | | the "Erase" tab on the main window to start the erase |
| Formatting your USB memory stick completely erases | | | | (format) process. |
| the memory stick so if you want any of your data | | | | |