Unbranded Flash Drives Boot OK - SanDisk Doesn't

Discussion in 'backup, imaging & disk mgmt' started by lemonlime, Nov 28, 2019.

  1. lemonlime

    lemonlime Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2009
    Posts:
    29
    I formatted six USB flash drives with Rufus. Three are unbranded (2GB - $1.50 each), purchased
    when I was visiting an electronics flea market. The other three are the ubiquitous SanDisk Cruzer
    Glide (16GB).

    Rufus formats USB flash drives:

    https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/rufus.html

    Using the app PeToUSB, I installed BartPE on all six flash drives. The unbranded flash drives
    boot normally. The SanDisk drives will not boot. All six are new.

    If you are not familiar with PeToUSB read this:

    https://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/PeToUSB.shtml

    The only difference between the unbranded (2GB) and SanDisk drives (16GB) is capacity. There
    is nothing on all six drives, except the BartPE folders and files.

    I hope a forum member can tell me why the SanDisk drives won't boot and how to fix the problem.
     
  2. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2005
    Posts:
    12,111
    Location:
    NSW, Australia
    lemonlime,

    Try putting a Win10 ISO on the SanDisk UFD with Rufus. I have some 16 GB SanDisk UFDs and Win10 boots from the UFD.
     
  3. shmu26

    shmu26 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2015
    Posts:
    1,549
    Another thing you can try is to choose the DD option when flashing the problem drives. Rufus often gives you a choice, and recommends the non-DD option, because then you can use the remaining free space on the drive for regular file storage purposes. However, DD boots better.
    If you use Belena Etcher, it always writes the image in DD format.
     
  4. lemonlime

    lemonlime Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2009
    Posts:
    29
    To create a "perfect app" is probably impossible. Yesterday, I found a flash drive formatting and
    booting app that should get six stars (not five) in all reviews!

    RMPrepUSB fully integrates functions that formally required several apps. Anyone with intermediate
    level computer skills can use RMPrepUSB.

    All three of those "unbootable" SanDisk flash drives were properly formatted and made bootable
    with BartPE. SanDisk drives were tested on four computers. Booting into BartPE was smooth
    and quick.

    RMPrepUSB is freeware. Get it now before it becomes shareware.

    https://www.rmprepusb.com/

    https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/rmprepusb.html
     
  5. zapjb

    zapjb Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2005
    Posts:
    5,553
    Location:
    USA still the best. But barely.
    Glad you're sorted.

    I just wonder if GParted would've worked.
     
  6. sdmod

    sdmod Shadow Defender Expert

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2010
    Posts:
    1,158
    Thanks lemonlime
    Some interesting tools there with extensive documentation.


     
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.