Can't format encrypted USB

I encrypted an USB stick with Mountain Lion and saved one single file on it. Now I am unable to delete this file (error -50) and even format the stick, neither via Disk Utility nor terminal command. Is there any other way? Maybe a Windows computer (I don't have one)?
Furthermore, sometimes the password is accepted when I insert the stick, sometimes not. it seems that the new encryption in Mountain Lion is beta. Be careful!
Steffen

I already used the 'dd' command on Linux to write zero's to it and I tried to run DBan on it this night. But that failed as well.
I'm now trying to reset the FDE with the live CD of Lenovo... With no luck. It complains it can't run on a 'real' DOS environment... Which is kind of weird since I boot from that CD and the disk itself is unreadable. So why does it complain about that?
I made a photo of the error: http://www.imagesup.net/?di=5141146011911
I used this live CD: http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/downloads/ds019026

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How can I format my usb install drive?

how can I format mymacbook air software install drive.?, the ones that came with the Macbook Air as the OS is now old I have no Use for the Drive and would like to use it as a stylish usb flash drive.
the one I mean is here
Is it actually possible to format it?
thanks.

It is showing up as a cd drive i should mention it is holding a 10.6 osx and so will not let me erase.
any suggestions?
thanks

Disk Utility Can't format my USB drive

I've got a Transcend 8GB usb drive and i want to erase everything on it but i can't. I know that the best way to do this is the Disk Utility (Because Finder can't erase them too. When I drag and drop to the bin, it says "43 files cannot be deleted")
When i attempt to format, this message appears from disk utility:
What does this mean?
and also, another message appears at the same time.
What does this mean?
I just wanted to format my disk. But i can still see the content in the disk. But can't copy them to desktop.
Please help me!

Happens with corrupt drives may be due to partition table failure. may be a similar post can help you POSIX reports: The operation couldn’t be completed. Cannot allocate memory

I can't format a usb, it says it has no write permissions.

When I open disk utilities the erase button is in grey and can't be clicked... I've tried using terminal and disk utilities, I also triede in a pc but it still says that the problem is I don't have write permission. How can I erase everything for good and reformat my usb? is there a program that can do that?
also when I hit verify disk it says it needs to be repaired but still doesn't enables the repari button.

Ok try the following. In the Terminal run this command:
sudo fdisk -e /dev/disk1
You will see a prompt that looks like the following:
fdisk: 1>
At this prompt, type "auto hfs" and press Enter, and you should see the prompt now look like the following:
fdisk:*1>
Now enter the command "write," and you should see it either say "Writing MBR at offset 0" or give you the following message:
Device could not be accessed exclusively.
A reboot will be needed for changes to take effect. OK? [n]
If this message appears, type "y" and press Enter, and you will then see the "Writing MBR at offset 0" message. Now enter the command "exit" to quit the fdisk utility, and then unmount your USB drive and reattach it to the computer. At this point you should see a message stating the drive is not readable, with options to initialize, eject, or ignore the issue. Choose Initialize, and you should be good to go.
If the drive is not automatically initialized, you should at least be able to use Disk Utility to now partition and erase it for other uses. If not, then the drive may be corrupt to the point where you cannot repartition it with the Mac. In this case, you can try with a Windows PC or another system, and see if that helps restore the drive, or replace the drive.

Can't format external USB hard drive

Hi Guys
I recently bought a Mac Pro, having decided to make the switch from PC, but am having trouble formatting an external 0.5 TB USB hard drive I used with the PC for use with the Mac. The drive was supplied formatted to Windows NTFS and when I first connected it to the Mac the blue LED indicator blinked off - presumably beacause OSX couldn't read the drive? Now, whenever I try to format the drive using disk utility I am presented with a message stating, "The underlying task reported failure on exit". If I try to partition the drive, I get a message stating, "Resource busy".
I am new to Macs and OSX, so imagine a lot of this problem is down to inexperience. I really need the external drive as I'm a musician, and store all my samples and projects on the drive.
Cheers, Dan

AFAIK, NTFS isn't a supported format for an ICBM (Intel-chip-based Mac). You need to remove any data files and reformat it MS-DOS or some such thing. Check Disk Utility's help files and http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303220
Since you're a newcomer to the Mac, you should peruse these before you do anything:
Switching from Windows to Mac OS X,
Basic Tutorials on using a Mac, and
MacTips Learning Centre.
Additionally, *Texas Mac Man* recommends:
Quick Assist.
Welcome to the Switch To A Mac Guides, and
A guide for switching to a Mac.

Can't format a USB drive

I have a USB drive that appears to be quite messed up. Running fdisk on it gives the following:
Disk /dev/sdf: 4040 MB, 4040724480 bytes
125 heads, 62 sectors/track, 1018 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 7750 * 512 = 3968000 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x2c6b7369
This doesn't look like a partition table
Probably you selected the wrong device.
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdf1 ? 249811 488760 925929529+ 68 Unknown
Partition 1 has different physical/logical beginnings (non-Linux?):
phys=(116, 100, 32) logical=(249810, 12, 29)
Partition 1 has different physical/logical endings:
phys=(288, 101, 46) logical=(488759, 81, 59)
Partition 1 does not end on cylinder boundary.
/dev/sdf2 ? 171637 241182 269488144 79 Unknown
Partition 2 has different physical/logical beginnings (non-Linux?):
phys=(357, 32, 43) logical=(171636, 83, 47)
Partition 2 has different physical/logical endings:
phys=(0, 13, 10) logical=(241181, 124, 42)
Partition 2 does not end on cylinder boundary.
/dev/sdf3 ? 69548 249981 699181456 53 OnTrack DM6 Aux3
Partition 3 has different physical/logical beginnings (non-Linux?):
phys=(345, 32, 19) logical=(69547, 2, 18)
Partition 3 has different physical/logical endings:
phys=(324, 77, 19) logical=(249980, 117, 49)
Partition 3 does not end on cylinder boundary.
/dev/sdf4 ? 179952 179955 10668+ 49 Unknown
Partition 4 has different physical/logical beginnings (non-Linux?):
phys=(87, 1, 0) logical=(179951, 119, 36)
Partition 4 has different physical/logical endings:
phys=(335, 78, 2) logical=(179954, 88, 44)
Partition 4 does not end on cylinder boundary.
Partition table entries are not in disk order
I tried using the 'o' option to create an empty DOS partition table, but when I write, fdisk exits with an error.
Command (m for help): o
Building a new DOS disklabel with disk identifier 0xf7f408ba.
Changes will remain in memory only, until you decide to write them.
After that, of course, the previous content won't be recoverable.
Warning: invalid flag 0x0000 of partition table 4 will be corrected by w(rite)
Command (m for help): w
The partition table has been altered!
Calling ioctl() to re-read partition table.
Error closing file
Nothing happens. I've tried clearing the drive with dd:
dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sdf bs=512 count=1
But checking in fdisk reveals that this doesn't have any effect on the disk.
Looking at my logs, I see the following when trying to run dd:
sd 7:0:0:0: [sdf] Unhandled sense code
sd 7:0:0:0: [sdf] Result: hostbyte=0x07 driverbyte=0x08
sd 7:0:0:0: [sdf] Sense Key : 0x4 [current]
sd 7:0:0:0: [sdf] ASC=0x0 ASCQ=0x0
sd 7:0:0:0: [sdf] CDB: cdb[0]=0x2a: 2a 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 08 00
lost page write due to I/O error on sdf
I don't know what to do at this point. Is the drive beyond hope? Do I need to try in Windows? I'd appreciate any help.

I had similar partitions on a couple of USB sticks I purchased a year or so back, I guess the sticks were formatted with Windows in mind. I used parted to remove the screwy partitions:
parted /dev/sdf rm 1
parted /dev/sdf rm 2
(etc 'til all the partitions are removed)
Then create a new primary partition:
parted /dev/sdf mkpart primary ext2 0MB 4040
(where 4040 is the partition size you want in MB)
That's from memory, so check the syntax carefully!

[SOLVED]Formatting the USB after using DD

Hi, I can't format the USB after using DD, but it doesn't work. I zeroed the partition like written in the wiki, but when I try to make the fs it says that the partition doesn't exist. The system doesn't recognize the USB at all. I used the windows version of DD
Last edited by ChessArcher (2014-02-08 18:07:43)

ChessArcher wrote:Hi, I can't format the USB after using DD, but it doesn't work. I zeroed the partition like written in the wiki, but when I try to make the fs it says that the partition doesn't exist. The system doesn't recognize the USB at all. I used the windows version of DD
You need to partition it; why would you use the windows version of anything?

Can an encrypted USB drive be used with the Airport Extreme?

I would like to keep an encrypted USB drive hooked up to my Airport Extreme (A1354) so that I can use it for a hand archive of documents I might need to reference on the road or conveniently within my home, mainly because it would be handier than having to plug and unplug a USB device into whatever computer I'm using, and would allow my wife to do the same with her computer. I know most internet providers provide a service like this, but I figured why not just do this with my Airport Extreme?
I've read posts from people who have taken encrypted USB volumes generated from their MacBook Pro, and plug that USB device into the Airport Extreme. The Airport recognized the device exists, but it is you can't actually use it as an encrypted volume. This seems like a flaw on the part of Apple if you can't do this, as this device is a much more expensive solution that what most wireless routers provide.
Has anybody figured this one out?

Doubtful it's going to work.
Does it see the same disk if it's formatted just Journaled (ie, not encrypted)?
The tehnical article isn't entirely clear . . . it just says Mac OS Extended: AirPort Extreme (802.11n) and Time Capsule: USB storage device supported formats and protocols
It was last modified June 14, 2011, a couple of weeks before Lion was released with the ability to encrypt drives.
Note that ExFAT is supported on Macs effective with 10.6.5, but not Airport Extremes; there's no reason to think encryption is any different.

Hi, i have version 10.6.8 and i am trying to format a usb drive. my computer doesnt have doesnt have disc utility on it anywhere. what can i do?

Hi, Ihave a macbook pro about 2 years old running 10.6.8 and i'm trying to format a usb drive. i dont have disk utility on my computer anywhere, what can i do?

Reinstall Snow Leopard. Or you can try to extract it from the DVD.
How Restore Deleted or Missing OS X Components
A few of the basic OS X installed applications can be restored from the Optional Installs installer located in the Optional installs folder on your Installer DVD. However, if what you need is not there then follow the instructions below.
How to Use Pacifist to Restore Deleted or Missing OS X Components
Insert the OS X Installer DVD into the optical drive. Use a simple utility like TinkerTool to toggle invisibility so you can see invisible items. Alternatively, open the Terminal application in your Utilities folder and at the prompt enter the following:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles Yes
Press RETURN.
To turn off the display of invisible files repeat the above command substituting No for Yes.
The install packages are located in the /System/Installation/ folder on the DVD.
Download the shareware utility Pacifist. Use it to extract a fresh copy of the missing item(s) from the file archives on your OS X installation DVD. The file archives are in the /System/Installations/ folder (use Go to Folder option in the Go menu of the Finder.)
Here are Four Basic ways to use Pacifist (courtesy of George Orville.)
A. Drag a .pkg icon onto the Pacifist window .....proceed to step 7.
B. Click on “Open Package ....” and navigate to package desired and click “Open” in
       the open/save window.....proceed to step 7.
C. Insert Mac OS X installer CD and when it mounts, navigate to .... Menu->Go->Go
       to Folder. In the path field enter or paste ....
/Volumes/disc name/System/Installation/Packages (where disc name is the name of the CD/DVD that you inserted.)
Click on the "Go" button ..... • Drag a .pkg to Pacifist..... proceed to step 7.
The package you'll need will have to be discovered by trial and error, but for most applications you should start with the Essentials.pkg and/or Additional Essentials.pkg.
D. Insert your Mac OS X install disk 1 .... and open Pacifist.
1.          In Pacifist, select "Open Mac OS X Install Packages" ... dialog may appear asking for disk 2, then disk 3 and finally disk 1 again.... {if DVD is not used)...If “Stop Loading” is selected...the procedure will stop!!!
2a. When loading is complete, a new window appears, click the triangle to display contents of each package...Select item and proceed to step 7.
2b.          or click the “Find” icon in the Pacifist window and type the name of the software you need.
3.          In the list that comes back, click the top most entry for the item that you want. ..... that is the one for the English language.
4.          On the top of the Pacifist window, click “verify” .... you will probably be prompted for your password.
5.          Enter checks for.... “verify permissions” and “verify file contents.” and click “verify” ....enter password when prompted.... you will get back output which may look like this:
          20 files were scanned. 20 of 20 files were present on the hard disk. 0 of 20 files had file permissions that did not match those specified in the package. 0 of 20 files had checksums that did not match those specified in the package.
6.          Click “close”. Go to step 7.
Extract or Install........
7.          In the Toolbar (upper left), you now have the option to extract or install. Click a file in the lower list and those two icons will be enabled.
8.          If “Extract to...” is selected.... navigate to the location where the file will be placed, select “choose”, select “extract” in new dialog that appears,authenicate , if prompted, click “OK”.
9.          In the next dialog, click “Extract”.
10.          If “Install” is selected... dialog will appear with the location/path of the installed software. Click “Install”
11.          Type in your password, click “OK”
Pacifist will begin to extract files.
12.          In steps 8/10ß.... you also have the choice to “cancel”
Notes:          Pacifist may find that a file it is installing already exists on the hard disk. Pacifist will present you with an alert panel....
• Stop
• Leave original alone
• Update .....
• Default selection
• Replace .... (Replace option should only be used on full install packages)

How can I formate my 32gb usb drive as single FAT partition on my macbook?

How can I formate my 32 GB USB Drive as a single FAT partition only macbook pro? So I will be able to download windows onto my macbook.
Please put each step I have tried everything and its not working at all.
Thanks

Drive Partition and Format
1. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
2. After DU loads select the USB drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to MBR then click on the OK button. Set the format type to MSDOS. Click on the Apply button and wait until the process has completed.

Can't open encrypted HDD on another Mac

I have backed up my timecapsule to an encrypted external Hard Disk Drive. This worked fine and I can open the encrypted disk and view the contents from my mac running Mountain Lion 10.8.1. The problem is that my password is rejected when I try to open the encrypted HDD on another Mac running Mountain Lion version 10.8.
My password is 14 characters long and I can open the disk on the machine that I originally formatted the external HDD on. I just can't open it from other computers. I am very worried that I won't be able to use my backup in the event that both my Timecapsule and my Mac are damaged.
Any ideas?

I used my USB keyboard on the old mac and I can open the encrypted disk now. Problem solved! Thanks!!!
The only problem now is that I need to keep a spare keyboard offsite with the disk. At least I can stick a note on the drive I suppose.
Thanks again for your suggestion!

[Solved] ^has_journal error for encrypted USB installation

Hi,
I am trying to install Arch on an encrypted USB stick, but i am facing a challenge in the very initial stages.
Its been advised that if installing arch on a USB stick, one should disable journaling. But the command to format to ext4 without journaling fails. Here is what i am doing
# cryptsetup -y -v luksFormat /dev/sda2
# cryptsetup open /dev/sda2 cryptroot
# mkfs.ext4 -O ^has_journal /dev/sda2
the mkfs.ext4 command above gives the following error:
/dev/sda2 is apparently in use by the system; will not make a filesystem here
Instead, when i use the slightly modified version of the original command specified in https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Dm … _with_LUKS, i get the following error:
mkfs -t ext4 -O ^has_journal /dev/mapper/cryptroot
Invalid filesystem option set: install.txt
Can you advise whats going wrong with the mkfs.ext4 command?
Last edited by njathan (2014-08-05 17:44:59)

Hello All,
I have same problem installing the new (2014.08.01) iso to an old EeePC 4G.
I think I'll format a partition booting ubuntu live...
Cheers!

How to Encrypt USB on Mac?

Can you please tell me how to encrypt a USB? I ultumately want to encrypt my sd chip for my android, but thought that I should test it out on a USB first.

on a empty usb stick - once connected to your Macbook - open disk utility.
select your usb - then select which format encryption you want. do realize however, doing it this way, your usb will only work on any macbooks running lion or mountian lion.
if that's not what you want - then download a file encryption software that is compatible to what you want to use it for.

Can I use a usb thumb drive for Time Machine?

Can I use a usb thumb drive for Time Machine backups?

Hello,
Yes you can use a (large) thumb drive. The most common format for a Time Machine backup drive is Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
Hope this will help.

My ipod no longer can be formatted by IPOD UPDATER.

My ipod no longer can be formatted by IPOD UPDATER. It gives me a Cant mount ipod error now as well. It shows up in device manager as Player Recovery Device Class, and other pc's and macs cannot recognize it. Ive tried multiple ports and it does not work. When it is connected to the port it beeps as it should but then it will randomly beep as it is connected.
Also it does not work at all disconnected from the computer. The light doesnt work on it at all and there is no response whatsoever.

Hi Clayton and everybody.
I got same problem with my Shuffle: the iPod doesnt play, it doesn't response to any button, no LED works. When i plug in the USB 2.0 port i've always used before (with any problem), WinXP Pro says "the device would work better in 2.0 usb" even though I have 2.0 usb, and i need to install a new hardware as a player recovery to get the iPod Updater recognizing it as a "recovery mode".
As you said, there is only option to do a Recover, but when it starts the proccess, the USB unmount (DIDU sound argh!), and the iPod Updater tells me "Error when trying to write disc" after a few minutes stuck in the recover proccess. I've tried in 3 different PCs, and same error...
I've been without using my Shuffle for 1 week (since it suddenly stopped playing music, due to low battery I thinked)...much more than 24 hours! And it doesn't work!
Should I keep trying the "recovery mode restore" expecting for a miracle or what? What can i do? Please help, i would like to do anything possible before aplying the warranty...
Thanks! And sorry for my bad english!
PC Windows XP Pro PIV 3,2Ghz, ASUS P4P800 MOBO, 2GB DDR, 6800GT

Can't format encrypted USB

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