USB memory stick not working with Mac

Question

voss_ Author

Level 1

4 points

USB memory stick not working with Mac

MacBook Air 10.9.2

How do I get my USB memory stick to work with Mac?

Shouldn’t this be "plug and play", without me having to reconfigure the USB stick?

I have the following problems:

1) Files get corrupted after copied from Mac to memory stick. After copied back to Mac they cannot be read. Some files may show correct byte size, but at the same time a movie file (<4GB) shows 00:00:00 and won’t play when opened (both when read from USB stick and after copied back to Mac). JPEGs, PDFs and other files show error message upon opening.

2) On the USB stick I see several files and folders with “zero bytes” file size

3) Folders should have subfolders and files, but show only the first mainfolder in the folder tree, the rest is empty.

4) When I try to delete folders or files from the USB stick I get the error message: “The operation can't be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -1407)”. I have tried rebooting and ejecting the stick.

I erased the USB stick from Disk Utility application. It had default format of MS-DOS file format.

I reformatted it to Mac OS Extended format, but I have no idea what I am doing.

I found an article stating the extended format might not be any good solution, it was less stable and not reliable. Why?

PS. None of my files are larger than 4 GB.

I wish for my USB stick to be able to work with both Mac and Win.

Also:

I got a second USB stick with some picture files, but my Mac is not able to detect it.

What do I do?

Please advise me what to do. Thank you for any input.

I apologize if posting this in the wrong group.

MacBook Air, OS X Mavericks (10.9.2)

Posted on Aug 24, 2014 9:24 AM

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Answer 1

Aug 24, 2014 10:35 AM in response to voss_

Hey voss_

I have an Air (Mid 13) to. What I found is that I got the same problem and it wasn't just todo with the hardware of the laptop as many of my friends and co-workers also found the same problems in varying MacBook Air and Pro models.

There are many factors that have lead to this. Have you tried plugging it into another computer that may be Windows or Linux and opening up the files? I have never had good experiences with USB's. If they are not treated properly, meaning using the Safety-Eject feature on Macs and Windows, they do not tend to last very long.

I suggest, you try to find a USB that is already FAT-32 (Windows version of MS-DOS formatting) and try copying test files, like pictures or music. If you are able to borrow a Windows computer for about 5 minutes, run some tests.

Usually I find that the USB has had its time. Try not to format the USB too often, as this diminishes the life of the drive.

I hope this helps

Ab0x

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Answer 2

Aug 24, 2014 10:39 AM in response to Community User

Also, try Google your USB see if there are any compatibility issues.

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Answer 3

voss_ Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 24, 2014 11:28 AM in response to Community User

Hi ab0x,

Thanks for replying to my question.

I confirm safety eject. The USB stick is new and has had minimal level of use. Mac is mid 12.

Other than checking for compatibility issues for the stick - shouldn't USB sticks on Macs be "plug and play", or do I really need to reconfigure the stick before applying it to a Mac? Any input on this would be appreciated.

I am an experienced Win user, but being my first Mac and dealing with this USB issue, I really don't understand what's going on.

As stated previously I do not move files larger than 4 GB and would like to handle the USB stick on both Mac and Win.

Thanks.

voss_

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Answer 4

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Aug 24, 2014 11:33 AM in response to voss_

Here are two articles describing how to format a drive that is compatible for both Mac and PC.

http://osxdaily.com/2012/04/22/format-drive-mac-pc-compatible/

http://www.pcworld.com/article/250431/how_to_share_an_external_drive_between_a_m ac_and_a_pc.html

I suggest that you use the instructions for formatting on a PC.

Note that formatting will delete all data on the drive.

Ciao.

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Answer 5

voss_ Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 24, 2014 12:33 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

Hi OGELTHORPE,

My USB stick was originally formatted as MS-DOS (FAT) as default and out of the box. As I understand this is the same as FAT32 on Win (?)

MS-DOS (FAT) configuration was however what led to all of my problems stated above.

That is why I'm confused.

Before writing to the discussion board, I reconfigured the stick to ExFat, based on some similar research, but an article discussion advised the ExFat not to be a stable nor reliable configuration. I do not know why this issue was mentioned, but several users logged this as an issue of the ExFat.

If you have a USB stick meant for Mac use only, not cross-platform, do you alter configuration from MS-DOS (FAT)?

(Primary use is for Mac backup only, I'm willing to give up the cross-platform requirement)

I also don't understand why my Mac didn't detect a second USB stick, prior used on a different Mac.

Thanks!

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Answer 6

AJB2K3

Level 1

30 points

Aug 24, 2014 12:47 PM in response to voss_

Fat is a 16 bit file system and doesn't support 4GIG
Fat 32 supports files upto 4gig
Efat or Xfat support higher files buts not supported by mac (or at least one of the formats isn't)
Install Macfuze or fuze for mac which will allow access to both WinVista/7/8 files formats including linux formats.

Are you sure your ejecting from windows as well as waiting for the writes to finish and the drive to vanish from finder/My Computer before removing?

JFat (I use the term loosely because I can't remember the Mac and Linux journalised files systems, isn't supported by Windows Vista/7/8

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Answer 7

voss_ Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 24, 2014 1:21 PM in response to AJB2K3

Hi AJB2K3,

The USB stick is no longer used on Win OS, all my problems stated above is related to file movement between Mac - USB stick - Mac.

Stick is removed safely in most cases, and always in case of write operations.

The stick is used for basic backup purpose from Mac, I was hoping I didn't needed a third party application.

None of my files exceed 4 GB limit. All my issues were related to the default MS-DOS (FAT) configuration.

That is why I tried to reconfigure to ExFat, not knowing if it was necessary.

Thank you.

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Answer 8

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Aug 24, 2014 1:47 PM in response to voss_

I suggest that you format the drive ExFAT and do it on a PC.

Ciao.

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Answer 9

AJB2K3

Level 1

30 points

Aug 25, 2014 3:54 AM in response to voss_

Just going off on a random train of thought.

How big is the drive?

What size does osx disk manager report it being?

How Old is the drive?

Has the drive got any bad sectors? if it has then formatting doesn't always cure it.

What make and model usb drive?

I ask these things because not all drives are made the same and there is a limit to how many time a drive can be used.
Have you tried a different USB port?
Have you tried a USB hub?

Try installing Fuze for mac (yeh I know its not official supported software) and see if this helps. (BTW you will need to disable it on book when not in use.)

You say "Mac - USB stick - Mac"
Is this more then one OSX machine or the same machine?

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Answer 10

Nov 19, 2015 5:02 AM in response to voss_

Hi.

Did you ever get an answer to this question?

I'm running an old Macbook pro on Mountain Lion and have exactly the same problem. I've been loading audio and video files onto memory sticks for ages but now it corrupts the data, usually wont eject and takes up the same space.

I've followed every erase/reformat/different computer/different stick solution going but still the same problem. I may go nuts before I find an answer - so any info greatly appreciated

Thank you

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Answer 11

Pe-co

Level 1

4 points

Nov 5, 2016 1:34 AM in response to voss_

B

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