I picked up a USB stick labeled as 128GB from Aliexpress because it was super cheap at only $1. After testing it with ValiDrive, I noticed something odd: it shows up as a 105GB stick instead of the expected 128GB. The layout seems okay, with no bad sectors except for a few at the end. How is this possible? Can I safely format this drive to use the full 105GB (I'd actually prefer 100GB for safety)? Is there any way to reprogram the firmware to reflect the correct capacity?
4 Answers
How much do you value your data? If it's critical, I'd suggest investing in a more reputable drive. These cheap sticks can vanish and lead to losses without warning.
Yeah, it seems like a case where they’re using chips that didn’t meet quality standards for a full 128GB stick. You could use the 105GB, but be cautious. Over time, you might end up losing data if the chip isn't stable. Also, keep in mind that manufacturers often play with measurements, so you may not have a full 105GB in practice.
Firstly, you should definitely test to see if you can write and read the 105GB without any errors. If you can’t verify that all of it works, then you could be stuck with a defective drive. It's better to be safe than sorry with your data.
It sounds like you've gotten a drive that is possibly using defective chips. It’s a common scam where they sell you a cheaper chip that's been trimmed down in capacity. You might be able to use the 105GB for storage after formatting, but I would definitely recommend testing it thoroughly to see if it can handle writing and reading all that data without issues. Just make sure you don’t store anything super important on it until you know how reliable it is.
Exactly! If you're thinking about using it for important files, it's better to find another drive just to be safe.
Right! It’s kind of a gamble with these cheaper options. Always worth checking how much usable space you actually get.