Once the ten attempts are made and the USB drive reformats, can it be used again in the original manner or is it a loss?
1738600
Looks like you can reformat it to original condition. http://www.custompcreview.com/reviews/kingston-datatraveler-locker-g3-16gb-usb3-flash-drive-dtlpg3-review/19900/5/
1738601
After 10 invalid attempts the drive is "locked down" and all user data is NOT ACCESSIBLE (even if you now know the correct password). At this point (after the 10 invalid attempts and drive "lock down") ... you regain access to the USB drive by formatting (initializing) the drive with the in-built software (it loads every time you insert the USB drive). So your original (user) data is LOST after 10 invalid attempt, but the drive is perfectly usable (again) after it has been re-initialized. I would also suggest you get 2 drives of the same type ...copy your critical data to both drives and store 1 drive in another physical location (in case you loose one copy)! Regards, Andrew Acton After 10 invalid attempts the drive is "locked down" and all user data is NOT ACCESSIBLE (even if you now know the correct password). At this point (after the 10 invalid attempts and drive "lock down") ... you regain access to the USB drive by formatting (initializing) the drive with the in-built software (it loads every time you insert the USB drive). So your original (user) data is LOST after 10 invalid attempt, but the drive is perfectly usable (again) after it has been re-initialized. I would also suggest you get 2 drives of the same type ...copy your critical data... » Read More After 10 invalid attempts the drive is "locked down" and all user data is NOT ACCESSIBLE (even if you now know the correct password). At this point (after the 10 invalid attempts and drive "lock down") ... you regain access to the USB drive by formatting (initializing) the drive with the in-built software (it loads every time you insert the USB drive). So your original (user) data is LOST after 10 invalid attempt, but the drive is perfectly usable (again) after it has been re-initialized. I would also suggest you get 2 drives of the same type ...copy your critical data to both drives and store 1 drive in another physical location (in case you loose one copy)! Regards, Andrew Acton « Show Less
1738602
It would be a loss...but contact the manufacturer to be sure. I would not buy this again, as the first one went bad on me, where it would not boot the log-in screen. They sent me a replacement but I am not going to run the risk of losing all my data, so I went with a different method. If you want the one I have I will make you a deal on it...it is still in the blister wrap.
1738603
I believe that it can be reformatted and used again, however, I have never tried it.
57957
Nah it only comes on intermittently, when it does it comes up garbage, i eventually got it to work and managed to recover some files off with recovery software but lost most of the stuff that was on it. Tried formatting etc and regardless of which computer its plugged into, it only connects intermittently and corrupts the data.
350199
You should have no issue, as long as you can open up the laptop and remove the old drive.
1565298
Hi, I'm Jewel with Kingston Technical Support and would like to address your question. All of our USB drives are formatted to FAT32 by default and do not require to be reformatted for use with any particular Operating System. FAT32 is an older file system that is compatible with all current operating systems.
1551812
Yes, it essentially turns the new drive into the old one. I did this on a Acer netbook and it worked fine after swapping to the cloned drive.
938309
Molley, hello: The ability to retrive data from an inoperable hard drive depends on a number of things. The most important factor, in my opinion, is whether you've waited too long to retrieve data; as a result, some or all data files may have become unretrievable. Assuming that you've not waited too long and thereby not compromised data, I recommend that you buy and try the NewerTech universal device. My "external" hard drive (on a Mac platform and OS) had been clicking quietly for a week without engaging; it was unable to back up files as scheduled. I ordered, received, and utilized the NewerTech universal drive adapter. On my first connection and try, the adapter recognized my external hard drive, located all the files on it, and accepted my request to transfer those files to a new external hard drive replacement. I was happily surprised that all files were located and transferred with no loss. There's no guarantee that the NewerTech Universal adapter will be successful. If I were you, I wouldn't wait any longer; neither would I send the drive to a facility that attempts to retrive files because of the cost of doing so; I'd but the NewerTech USB 3.0 Universal device. HTH. Warren
882441
In short, your answer is yes. While formatting the drive, the console may display a statement about perfomance issues. Most probably pertaining to the USB drive's read/write speeds. In my personal experience, writing to the drive is average, albeit a little slow. Reading from the drive, I have yet to see any issues in using this exact USB drive.
1458922
Yep. After using it initially, I couldn't get windows to see it any more so took it apart. The drive is a Toshiba, which gets great ratings on drives. The problem with the errors could be a windows USB3 driver. Still not sure. Might re-assemble it to see if anything has changed.
847436
How did you format it and what type is it? The cheap ones will not work, I found there is actually a big difference in the quality of USB sticks and its no surprise the cheap ones don't even get recognized by MMI....
659195
Mine did not need any reformat. I put 2 drives on it snd they worked without any reformating.
561086
Hi Kevin,I believe that would depend first on the type of corruption. But otherwise, I would say that my experience this device has retrieved files and folders with an almost perfect success rate, with.any failures generally coming first from improper use of the user. Depending on your knowledge level, you shouldn't encounter any major issues. Last note, if it's in your budget, I would suggest upgrading your operating system to Windows 8.1, which makes their use much easier, and for other situations you will to find software that can manage the device efficiently. Very well worth the price and my money very well spent.All the best,Bryan Hi Kevin,I believe that would depend first on the type of corruption. But otherwise, I would say that my experience this device has retrieved files and folders with an almost perfect success rate, with.any failures generally coming first from improper use of the user. Depending on your knowledge level, you shouldn't encounter any major issues. Last note, if it's in your budget, I would suggest upgrading your operating system to Windows 8.1, which makes their use much easier, and for other situations you will to find software that can manage the device efficiently. Very well worth the... » Read More Hi Kevin,I believe that would depend first on the type of corruption. But otherwise, I would say that my experience this device has retrieved files and folders with an almost perfect success rate, with.any failures generally coming first from improper use of the user. Depending on your knowledge level, you shouldn't encounter any major issues. Last note, if it's in your budget, I would suggest upgrading your operating system to Windows 8.1, which makes their use much easier, and for other situations you will to find software that can manage the device efficiently. Very well worth the price and my money very well spent.All the best,Bryan « Show Less
1065914
the flash drive was bad. after many tries and call a guy got on the phone who was very helpful and at the end sent me a new flashdrive already program. I have not had a problem after that
1761416
If this is the case, what happens if the original drive fails? Can you just replace that drive or do you have to reinstall everything?
2205672
There are many format and NTFS file conversation programs available on the web. If you reformat and specify NTFS, you will lose any existing data. Conversion is safer but I'd backup it all anyhow. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb456984.aspx
1443388
Check that the pins in the usb opening havent bent due to inserting at an angle. Format the drive. What happens when you insert it into a computer?
2248024
if you plug it in to use port and it says 4 gig. then reformmating wont help. oppen my computor and right click on the removabe disk it will tell what you how much free space there and a used space add them together it will give you total.(but sounds like to me you got the wrong flash drive)
1089816
I can only tell you about my experience - I was in the process of transferring files to the drive. The transfer stopped about an hour in, and my system no longer recognized the drive's existence. Rebooting did not help. I also tried the drive on other computers, and they failed to recognize the drive also. The return process was fairly painless and my refund was processed very quickly.