"You need to format the disk in drive J: before you can use it"

Anonymous
2009-11-27T14:36:21+00:00

The error message says "You need to format the disk in drive J: before you can use it" I have a removable USB storage drive that i always plugged in to my computer everytime I download movies save disk space on my computer.  Now it want me to format this storage disk.  Also,where it used to label this disk as "Removable Disk", it is not labeled as Local Disk J:. I don't want to format this disk because it will erase all my files and folders on this removable USB storage disk.  Please help me.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2011-01-12T20:05:12+00:00

I had same problem.

And I have an solution for you... The problem is that when you plug in your HD first time, Windows 7 install your HD and associate it to only this USB port (let it be USB port "4") than if you wanna to use it (HD) again, you need to plug it, in the same USB port (USB port "4") where it was installed first time. It is Stupid!!!! But that's how it worked with my HD.

Just try all USB ports that you have on your PC.

Good luck.

Hope it was helpful. :D

PS: the same problem is with all divices you plug in to your pc.

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-10-28T18:18:48+00:00

    I have the same problem too ... first, I tried to do format as proposed by the system itself, but it did not format and stayed the same problem. when I connected the Flash disk to another computer, worked fine ... the same happens with other usb drives and when I tried it again on other computers I found that some files had been destroyed! specific mp3 files were merged together!

    I found a temporary solution to save your files!

    turn off your computer, connect the device usb and open your computer! the device, you probably (if you do not format) will work just fine! IF simply unplugging will have to redo the same thing from the beginning!

    must be a virus or something similar ... anyone find something about let's say because I think reinstalling the windows from start! :(

    write if my temporary solution worked...

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-10-25T18:33:30+00:00

    it did not help me the same mesage is applying

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-10-25T18:08:16+00:00

    it says raw

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-10-25T18:02:02+00:00

    what do i do next

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