Deleting data from a USB memory stick

[Nick]

Are sure it's a failure? I'm not yet convinced - I still suspect "crapware" on the sticks or something that Vista is doing. Andy, I'd be happy to take a look at one - assuming there's nothing too confidential in your "Documents" folder structure.

Valid comment - Many of these sticks install drivers etc. which technically is completely unnecessary as Windows has native drivers for external USB drives (unless you are on a truly ancient version, which you aren't).

It comes down to a cost/benefit analysis - how much time have you spent fighting with these sticks and the value of that time vs. the cost of the sticks...

I have a bin for such stuff. When its gets to a reasonable amount, I cover the bits with thermite and toast it...

[Andy M0FYA]

Are sure it's a failure? I'm not yet convinced - I still suspect "crapware" on the sticks or something that Vista is doing. Andy, I'd be happy to take a look at one - assuming there's nothing too confidential in your "Documents" folder structure.

I had thought about letting somebody else have a look, but there is all sorts of bank account info etc buried in there, so maybe it would be unwise. Many thanks for the offer, though.

Andy

[Andy M0FYA]

Just a brief update to this story - back in post 20 I said I had ordered three Sony 32GB memory sticks from CCL Computers, onto which I duly stored copies of my 'Documents' folder. Perhaps belatedly, yesterday I decided to delete the three months old data and reload the new version.
Absolutely no problem whatsoever with any of the three Sony sticks.
So I have to conclude that there is some common fault with the old ones, doubtless along the lines of one of the suggestions made by you knowledgeable chaps.

Andy