Is there a document the list the Format for usb memory devices as used in mp3 players

NTDEV
1

Hi all,

I recently reformatted my mp3 player (usb memory stick type s1 mp3 payer
Wilson co ltd firm ware 3.0.43 2005hb-Fm184596)
using the supplied formatting tool. This wiped player apart from the
firmware, but now the device reports it is 500mb in size instead of 1Gb.

Q Do usb storage device of this type have boot record similar to the master
boot record on a floppy / hardisk. ?
If not how does the device know to only format 500mb of the available
memory as a usb fat storage device?
(Windows and the supplied format utility only see 500mb available)

OS win 2000 service pack 4 + latest fix / security fixes
256mb ram in the PC.

How can I recover the missing memory / simulated disk space ?

thanks
Robert Fernando

2

Try WinHex and rebuild it carefully. You may need to write a format
utility. This stuff sure isn’t easy and the restrictions Microsoft has
imposed with the 63 * 255 format can cause a large loss of storage space.
The normal maximum loss is 8,225,280 bytes, but it also depends upon how the
drive responds to the read capacity request.

“Robert Fernando” wrote in message
news:xxxxx@ntdev…
> Hi all,
>
> I recently reformatted my mp3 player (usb memory stick type s1 mp3 payer
> Wilson co ltd firm ware 3.0.43 2005hb-Fm184596)
> using the supplied formatting tool. This wiped player apart from the
> firmware, but now the device reports it is 500mb in size instead of 1Gb.
>
> Q Do usb storage device of this type have boot record similar to the
> master
> boot record on a floppy / hardisk. ?
> If not how does the device know to only format 500mb of the available
> memory as a usb fat storage device?
> (Windows and the supplied format utility only see 500mb available)
>
> OS win 2000 service pack 4 + latest fix / security fixes
> 256mb ram in the PC.
>
> How can I recover the missing memory / simulated disk space ?
>
> thanks
> Robert Fernando
>
>
>
>

3

Hi all,
What should a valid boot sector for a 1gb usb memory stick look like ? The
memory stick is being interpreted by win2k as fat16 media.

thanks

Robert Fernando
----- Original Message -----
From: “David J. Craig”
Newsgroups: ntdev
To: “Windows System Software Devs Interest List”
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 4:56 AM
Subject: Re:[ntdev] Is there a document the list the Format for usb memory
devices as used in mp3 players

> Try WinHex and rebuild it carefully. You may need to write a format
> utility. This stuff sure isn’t easy and the restrictions Microsoft has
> imposed with the 63 * 255 format can cause a large loss of storage space.
> The normal maximum loss is 8,225,280 bytes, but it also depends upon how
the
> drive responds to the read capacity request.
>
> “Robert Fernando” wrote in message
> news:xxxxx@ntdev…
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I recently reformatted my mp3 player (usb memory stick type s1 mp3 payer
> > Wilson co ltd firm ware 3.0.43 2005hb-Fm184596)
> > using the supplied formatting tool. This wiped player apart from the
> > firmware, but now the device reports it is 500mb in size instead of 1Gb.
> >
> > Q Do usb storage device of this type have boot record similar to the
> > master
> > boot record on a floppy / hardisk. ?
> > If not how does the device know to only format 500mb of the available
> > memory as a usb fat storage device?
> > (Windows and the supplied format utility only see 500mb available)
> >
> > OS win 2000 service pack 4 + latest fix / security fixes
> > 256mb ram in the PC.
> >
> > How can I recover the missing memory / simulated disk space ?
> >
> > thanks
> > Robert Fernando
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> —
> Questions? First check the Kernel Driver FAQ at
http://www.osronline.com/article.cfm?id=256
>
> You are currently subscribed to ntdev as: xxxxx@ntlworld.com
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com
>

4

How can I tell if the formatting program for my mp3 player / usb memory
stick has divided the available memory / disk space into two drives.
I can see drive 1 as removable disk p:, but cannot see a second partition if
one exists.
OS win 2k service pack 4.
thanks
Robert Fernando
----- Original Message -----
From: “Robert Fernando”
To: “Windows System Software Devs Interest List”
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 6:37 AM
Subject: Re: Re:[ntdev] Is there a document the list the Format for usb
memory devices as used in mp3 players

> Hi all,
> What should a valid boot sector for a 1gb usb memory stick look like ? The
> memory stick is being interpreted by win2k as fat16 media.
>
> thanks
>
> Robert Fernando
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: “David J. Craig”
> Newsgroups: ntdev
> To: “Windows System Software Devs Interest List”
> Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 4:56 AM
> Subject: Re:[ntdev] Is there a document the list the Format for usb memory
> devices as used in mp3 players
>
>
> > Try WinHex and rebuild it carefully. You may need to write a format
> > utility. This stuff sure isn’t easy and the restrictions Microsoft has
> > imposed with the 63 * 255 format can cause a large loss of storage
space.
> > The normal maximum loss is 8,225,280 bytes, but it also depends upon how
> the
> > drive responds to the read capacity request.
> >
> > “Robert Fernando” wrote in message
> > news:xxxxx@ntdev…
> > > Hi all,
> > >
> > > I recently reformatted my mp3 player (usb memory stick type s1 mp3
payer
> > > Wilson co ltd firm ware 3.0.43 2005hb-Fm184596)
> > > using the supplied formatting tool. This wiped player apart from the
> > > firmware, but now the device reports it is 500mb in size instead of
1Gb.
> > >
> > > Q Do usb storage device of this type have boot record similar to the
> > > master
> > > boot record on a floppy / hardisk. ?
> > > If not how does the device know to only format 500mb of the available
> > > memory as a usb fat storage device?
> > > (Windows and the supplied format utility only see 500mb available)
> > >
> > > OS win 2000 service pack 4 + latest fix / security fixes
> > > 256mb ram in the PC.
> > >
> > > How can I recover the missing memory / simulated disk space ?
> > >
> > > thanks
> > > Robert Fernando
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > —
> > Questions? First check the Kernel Driver FAQ at
> http://www.osronline.com/article.cfm?id=256
> >
> > You are currently subscribed to ntdev as: xxxxx@ntlworld.com
> > To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com
> >
>
>
>
> —
> Questions? First check the Kernel Driver FAQ at
http://www.osronline.com/article.cfm?id=256
>
> You are currently subscribed to ntdev as: xxxxx@ntlworld.com
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com
>

5

Hi all,
Further testing has revealed that the device has a vId 10d6 and PId 100
usb mass storage device
ussb2.0 (fs) flash disk
Actions Semiconductor co ltd

Formatted as Generic volume
496mb
fat 16
512 bytes per sec
16 sec per cluster

according to the usb info tool.

thanks
Robert Fernando

----- Original Message -----
From: “Robert Fernando”
To: “Windows System Software Devs Interest List”
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 8:08 AM
Subject: Re: Re:[ntdev] Is there a document the list the Format for usb
memory devices as used in mp3 players

> How can I tell if the formatting program for my mp3 player / usb memory
> stick has divided the available memory / disk space into two drives.
> I can see drive 1 as removable disk p:, but cannot see a second partition
if
> one exists.
> OS win 2k service pack 4.
> thanks
> Robert Fernando
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: “Robert Fernando”
> To: “Windows System Software Devs Interest List”
> Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 6:37 AM
> Subject: Re: Re:[ntdev] Is there a document the list the Format for usb
> memory devices as used in mp3 players
>
>
> > Hi all,
> > What should a valid boot sector for a 1gb usb memory stick look like ?
The
> > memory stick is being interpreted by win2k as fat16 media.
> >
> > thanks
> >
> > Robert Fernando
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: “David J. Craig”
> > Newsgroups: ntdev
> > To: “Windows System Software Devs Interest List”
> > Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 4:56 AM
> > Subject: Re:[ntdev] Is there a document the list the Format for usb
memory
> > devices as used in mp3 players
> >
> >
> > > Try WinHex and rebuild it carefully. You may need to write a format
> > > utility. This stuff sure isn’t easy and the restrictions Microsoft
has
> > > imposed with the 63 * 255 format can cause a large loss of storage
> space.
> > > The normal maximum loss is 8,225,280 bytes, but it also depends upon
how
> > the
> > > drive responds to the read capacity request.
> > >
> > > “Robert Fernando” wrote in message
> > > news:xxxxx@ntdev…
> > > > Hi all,
> > > >
> > > > I recently reformatted my mp3 player (usb memory stick type s1 mp3
> payer
> > > > Wilson co ltd firm ware 3.0.43 2005hb-Fm184596)
> > > > using the supplied formatting tool. This wiped player apart from the
> > > > firmware, but now the device reports it is 500mb in size instead of
> 1Gb.
> > > >
> > > > Q Do usb storage device of this type have boot record similar to
the
> > > > master
> > > > boot record on a floppy / hardisk. ?
> > > > If not how does the device know to only format 500mb of the
available
> > > > memory as a usb fat storage device?
> > > > (Windows and the supplied format utility only see 500mb available)
> > > >
> > > > OS win 2000 service pack 4 + latest fix / security fixes
> > > > 256mb ram in the PC.
> > > >
> > > > How can I recover the missing memory / simulated disk space ?
> > > >
> > > > thanks
> > > > Robert Fernando
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > —
> > > Questions? First check the Kernel Driver FAQ at
> > http://www.osronline.com/article.cfm?id=256
> > >
> > > You are currently subscribed to ntdev as: xxxxx@ntlworld.com
> > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > —
> > Questions? First check the Kernel Driver FAQ at
> http://www.osronline.com/article.cfm?id=256
> >
> > You are currently subscribed to ntdev as: xxxxx@ntlworld.com
> > To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com
> >
>
>
>
> —
> Questions? First check the Kernel Driver FAQ at
http://www.osronline.com/article.cfm?id=256
>
> You are currently subscribed to ntdev as: xxxxx@ntlworld.com
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com
>

6

Windows does not support several partitions on removable media.

Try using DSKPROBE tool from Windows Support Tools and wipe the disk’s boot
sector with zeroes. Then re-insert the disk.

Maxim Shatskih, Windows DDK MVP
StorageCraft Corporation
xxxxx@storagecraft.com
http://www.storagecraft.com

----- Original Message -----
From: “Robert Fernando”
To: “Windows System Software Devs Interest List”
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 11:08 AM
Subject: Re: Re:[ntdev] Is there a document the list the Format for usb memory
devices as used in mp3 players

> How can I tell if the formatting program for my mp3 player / usb memory
> stick has divided the available memory / disk space into two drives.
> I can see drive 1 as removable disk p:, but cannot see a second partition if
> one exists.
> OS win 2k service pack 4.
> thanks
> Robert Fernando
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: “Robert Fernando”
> To: “Windows System Software Devs Interest List”
> Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 6:37 AM
> Subject: Re: Re:[ntdev] Is there a document the list the Format for usb
> memory devices as used in mp3 players
>
>
> > Hi all,
> > What should a valid boot sector for a 1gb usb memory stick look like ? The
> > memory stick is being interpreted by win2k as fat16 media.
> >
> > thanks
> >
> > Robert Fernando
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: “David J. Craig”
> > Newsgroups: ntdev
> > To: “Windows System Software Devs Interest List”
> > Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 4:56 AM
> > Subject: Re:[ntdev] Is there a document the list the Format for usb memory
> > devices as used in mp3 players
> >
> >
> > > Try WinHex and rebuild it carefully. You may need to write a format
> > > utility. This stuff sure isn’t easy and the restrictions Microsoft has
> > > imposed with the 63 * 255 format can cause a large loss of storage
> space.
> > > The normal maximum loss is 8,225,280 bytes, but it also depends upon how
> > the
> > > drive responds to the read capacity request.
> > >
> > > “Robert Fernando” wrote in message
> > > news:xxxxx@ntdev…
> > > > Hi all,
> > > >
> > > > I recently reformatted my mp3 player (usb memory stick type s1 mp3
> payer
> > > > Wilson co ltd firm ware 3.0.43 2005hb-Fm184596)
> > > > using the supplied formatting tool. This wiped player apart from the
> > > > firmware, but now the device reports it is 500mb in size instead of
> 1Gb.
> > > >
> > > > Q Do usb storage device of this type have boot record similar to the
> > > > master
> > > > boot record on a floppy / hardisk. ?
> > > > If not how does the device know to only format 500mb of the available
> > > > memory as a usb fat storage device?
> > > > (Windows and the supplied format utility only see 500mb available)
> > > >
> > > > OS win 2000 service pack 4 + latest fix / security fixes
> > > > 256mb ram in the PC.
> > > >
> > > > How can I recover the missing memory / simulated disk space ?
> > > >
> > > > thanks
> > > > Robert Fernando
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > —
> > > Questions? First check the Kernel Driver FAQ at
> > http://www.osronline.com/article.cfm?id=256
> > >
> > > You are currently subscribed to ntdev as: xxxxx@ntlworld.com
> > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > —
> > Questions? First check the Kernel Driver FAQ at
> http://www.osronline.com/article.cfm?id=256
> >
> > You are currently subscribed to ntdev as: xxxxx@ntlworld.com
> > To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com
> >
>
>
>
> —
> Questions? First check the Kernel Driver FAQ at
http://www.osronline.com/article.cfm?id=256
>
> You are currently subscribed to ntdev as: xxxxx@storagecraft.com
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com

7

Have you tried your USB stick on Windows XP ? There is a big chance that XP restores the error
on your stick , even if W2k is not able to restore it. And yes , an USB drive has a boot sector with
sector , track , cluster information … But the device should provide the ‘real’ size to the OS on demand,
which allows you to format the drive from within XP as well to 1 GB.

Christiaan ,

----- Original Message -----
From: “Robert Fernando”
To: “Windows System Software Devs Interest List”
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 12:15 PM
Subject: Re: Re:[ntdev] Is there a document the list the Format for usb memory devices as used in mp3 players

> Hi all,
> Further testing has revealed that the device has a vId 10d6 and PId 100
> usb mass storage device
> ussb2.0 (fs) flash disk
> Actions Semiconductor co ltd
>
> Formatted as Generic volume
> 496mb
> fat 16
> 512 bytes per sec
> 16 sec per cluster
>
> according to the usb info tool.
>
> thanks
> Robert Fernando
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: “Robert Fernando”
> To: “Windows System Software Devs Interest List”
> Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 8:08 AM
> Subject: Re: Re:[ntdev] Is there a document the list the Format for usb
> memory devices as used in mp3 players
>
>
> > How can I tell if the formatting program for my mp3 player / usb memory
> > stick has divided the available memory / disk space into two drives.
> > I can see drive 1 as removable disk p:, but cannot see a second partition
> if
> > one exists.
> > OS win 2k service pack 4.
> > thanks
> > Robert Fernando
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: “Robert Fernando”
> > To: “Windows System Software Devs Interest List”
> > Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 6:37 AM
> > Subject: Re: Re:[ntdev] Is there a document the list the Format for usb
> > memory devices as used in mp3 players
> >
> >
> > > Hi all,
> > > What should a valid boot sector for a 1gb usb memory stick look like ?
> The
> > > memory stick is being interpreted by win2k as fat16 media.
> > >
> > > thanks
> > >
> > > Robert Fernando
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: “David J. Craig”
> > > Newsgroups: ntdev
> > > To: “Windows System Software Devs Interest List”
> > > Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 4:56 AM
> > > Subject: Re:[ntdev] Is there a document the list the Format for usb
> memory
> > > devices as used in mp3 players
> > >
> > >
> > > > Try WinHex and rebuild it carefully. You may need to write a format
> > > > utility. This stuff sure isn’t easy and the restrictions Microsoft
> has
> > > > imposed with the 63 * 255 format can cause a large loss of storage
> > space.
> > > > The normal maximum loss is 8,225,280 bytes, but it also depends upon
> how
> > > the
> > > > drive responds to the read capacity request.
> > > >
> > > > “Robert Fernando” wrote in message
> > > > news:xxxxx@ntdev…
> > > > > Hi all,
> > > > >
> > > > > I recently reformatted my mp3 player (usb memory stick type s1 mp3
> > payer
> > > > > Wilson co ltd firm ware 3.0.43 2005hb-Fm184596)
> > > > > using the supplied formatting tool. This wiped player apart from the
> > > > > firmware, but now the device reports it is 500mb in size instead of
> > 1Gb.
> > > > >
> > > > > Q Do usb storage device of this type have boot record similar to
> the
> > > > > master
> > > > > boot record on a floppy / hardisk. ?
> > > > > If not how does the device know to only format 500mb of the
> available
> > > > > memory as a usb fat storage device?
> > > > > (Windows and the supplied format utility only see 500mb available)
> > > > >
> > > > > OS win 2000 service pack 4 + latest fix / security fixes
> > > > > 256mb ram in the PC.
> > > > >
> > > > > How can I recover the missing memory / simulated disk space ?
> > > > >
> > > > > thanks
> > > > > Robert Fernando
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > —
> > > > Questions? First check the Kernel Driver FAQ at
> > > http://www.osronline.com/article.cfm?id=256
> > > >
> > > > You are currently subscribed to ntdev as: xxxxx@ntlworld.com
> > > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > —
> > > Questions? First check the Kernel Driver FAQ at
> > http://www.osronline.com/article.cfm?id=256
> > >
> > > You are currently subscribed to ntdev as: xxxxx@ntlworld.com
> > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > —
> > Questions? First check the Kernel Driver FAQ at
> http://www.osronline.com/article.cfm?id=256
> >
> > You are currently subscribed to ntdev as: xxxxx@ntlworld.com
> > To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com
> >
>
>
>
> —
> Questions? First check the Kernel Driver FAQ at http://www.osronline.com/article.cfm?id=256
>
> You are currently subscribed to ntdev as: xxxxx@compaqnet.be
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com
>

8

It there any other way to fix the problem, If I do not have access to XP ?

----- Original Message -----
From: “Christiaan Ghijselinck”
To: “Windows System Software Devs Interest List”
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 2:13 PM
Subject: Re: Re:[ntdev] Is there a document the list the Format for usb
memory devices as used in mp3 players

>
>
> Have you tried your USB stick on Windows XP ? There is a big chance that
XP restores the error
> on your stick , even if W2k is not able to restore it. And yes , an USB
drive has a boot sector with
> sector , track , cluster information … But the device should provide
the ‘real’ size to the OS on demand,
> which allows you to format the drive from within XP as well to 1 GB.
>
>
> Christiaan ,
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: “Robert Fernando”
> To: “Windows System Software Devs Interest List”
> Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 12:15 PM
> Subject: Re: Re:[ntdev] Is there a document the list the Format for usb
memory devices as used in mp3 players
>
>
> > Hi all,
> > Further testing has revealed that the device has a vId 10d6 and PId 100
> > usb mass storage device
> > ussb2.0 (fs) flash disk
> > Actions Semiconductor co ltd
> >
> > Formatted as Generic volume
> > 496mb
> > fat 16
> > 512 bytes per sec
> > 16 sec per cluster
> >
> > according to the usb info tool.
> >
> > thanks
> > Robert Fernando
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: “Robert Fernando”
> > To: “Windows System Software Devs Interest List”
> > Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 8:08 AM
> > Subject: Re: Re:[ntdev] Is there a document the list the Format for usb
> > memory devices as used in mp3 players
> >
> >
> > > How can I tell if the formatting program for my mp3 player / usb
memory
> > > stick has divided the available memory / disk space into two drives.
> > > I can see drive 1 as removable disk p:, but cannot see a second
partition
> > if
> > > one exists.
> > > OS win 2k service pack 4.
> > > thanks
> > > Robert Fernando
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: “Robert Fernando”
> > > To: “Windows System Software Devs Interest List”
> > > Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 6:37 AM
> > > Subject: Re: Re:[ntdev] Is there a document the list the Format for
usb
> > > memory devices as used in mp3 players
> > >
> > >
> > > > Hi all,
> > > > What should a valid boot sector for a 1gb usb memory stick look like
?
> > The
> > > > memory stick is being interpreted by win2k as fat16 media.
> > > >
> > > > thanks
> > > >
> > > > Robert Fernando
> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: “David J. Craig”
> > > > Newsgroups: ntdev
> > > > To: “Windows System Software Devs Interest List”

> > > > Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 4:56 AM
> > > > Subject: Re:[ntdev] Is there a document the list the Format for usb
> > memory
> > > > devices as used in mp3 players
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > Try WinHex and rebuild it carefully. You may need to write a
format
> > > > > utility. This stuff sure isn’t easy and the restrictions
Microsoft
> > has
> > > > > imposed with the 63 * 255 format can cause a large loss of storage
> > > space.
> > > > > The normal maximum loss is 8,225,280 bytes, but it also depends
upon
> > how
> > > > the
> > > > > drive responds to the read capacity request.
> > > > >
> > > > > “Robert Fernando” wrote in message
> > > > > news:xxxxx@ntdev…
> > > > > > Hi all,
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I recently reformatted my mp3 player (usb memory stick type s1
mp3
> > > payer
> > > > > > Wilson co ltd firm ware 3.0.43 2005hb-Fm184596)
> > > > > > using the supplied formatting tool. This wiped player apart from
the
> > > > > > firmware, but now the device reports it is 500mb in size instead
of
> > > 1Gb.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Q Do usb storage device of this type have boot record similar
to
> > the
> > > > > > master
> > > > > > boot record on a floppy / hardisk. ?
> > > > > > If not how does the device know to only format 500mb of the
> > available
> > > > > > memory as a usb fat storage device?
> > > > > > (Windows and the supplied format utility only see 500mb
available)
> > > > > >
> > > > > > OS win 2000 service pack 4 + latest fix / security fixes
> > > > > > 256mb ram in the PC.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > How can I recover the missing memory / simulated disk space ?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > thanks
> > > > > > Robert Fernando
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > —
> > > > > Questions? First check the Kernel Driver FAQ at
> > > > http://www.osronline.com/article.cfm?id=256
> > > > >
> > > > > You are currently subscribed to ntdev as:
xxxxx@ntlworld.com
> > > > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to
xxxxx@lists.osr.com
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > —
> > > > Questions? First check the Kernel Driver FAQ at
> > > http://www.osronline.com/article.cfm?id=256
> > > >
> > > > You are currently subscribed to ntdev as:
xxxxx@ntlworld.com
> > > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > —
> > > Questions? First check the Kernel Driver FAQ at
> > http://www.osronline.com/article.cfm?id=256
> > >
> > > You are currently subscribed to ntdev as: xxxxx@ntlworld.com
> > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > —
> > Questions? First check the Kernel Driver FAQ at
http://www.osronline.com/article.cfm?id=256
> >
> > You are currently subscribed to ntdev as:
xxxxx@compaqnet.be
> > To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com
> >
>
>
> —
> Questions? First check the Kernel Driver FAQ at
http://www.osronline.com/article.cfm?id=256
>
> You are currently subscribed to ntdev as: xxxxx@ntlworld.com
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com
>

9

I’m kind of surprised that the vendor’s own utility messed this all up.
Unless you remove the partitions (e.g., with disk manager) and recreate
it from Windows, the on disk format would not get changed. Also the
simulated geometry should not change. Most (not all) USB devices like SD
and compact flash use 64 sectors per track simulated format. Memory
stick uses 96 sectors.

Try dmdiag to look at the layout on various devices.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/reskit/tools/existing/dmdi
ag-o.asp for Win2K.

[The 63/255 thing is really a BIOS limitation based on extended CHS
addressing
(http://www.storagereview.com/guide2000/ref/hdd/bios/modesECHS.html has
some of the gory details). The BIOS uses these parameters (255 heads!
And 63 sectors per track) to indicate that the device is using fake
geometry. If you took apart a modern disk, you’d be hard pressed to find
more than 4 heads or so - and there are variable numbers of sectors per
track anyway. Unfortunately, the formatting code in Windows is not very
clever and assumes that this represents actual geometry and then it
further tries to get the partitions to fall on “track” boundaries
(multiples of 63*255). To leave 1MB at the end - just in case you
wanted to convert to dynamic disks, Windows then rounds down usually to
the 8MB or so that David points out. So if you were to wipe out the
vendor supplied partitions on a 64MB disk on key and then let Windows
repartition, you’d wind up with about 56MB. At that point there is no
way to get this back using normal Windows tools. You’d need to edit the
partition table using a hex editor. http://www.ata-atapi.com/hiwtab.htm
has details on the table format. The more adventurous can locate the
diskpar.exe (no T) from the Win2k resource kit and have a go with that
but you’d still have the 8MB truncation.]

-----Original Message-----
From: David J. Craig [mailto:xxxxx@yoshimuni.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 8:57 PM
Subject: Re: Is there a document the list the Format for usb memory
devices as used in mp3 players

Try WinHex and rebuild it carefully. You may need to write a format
utility. This stuff sure isn’t easy and the restrictions Microsoft has
imposed with the 63 * 255 format can cause a large loss of storage
space.
The normal maximum loss is 8,225,280 bytes, but it also depends upon how
the
drive responds to the read capacity request.

“Robert Fernando” wrote in message
news:xxxxx@ntdev…
> Hi all,
>
> I recently reformatted my mp3 player (usb memory stick type s1 mp3
payer
> Wilson co ltd firm ware 3.0.43 2005hb-Fm184596)
> using the supplied formatting tool. This wiped player apart from the
> firmware, but now the device reports it is 500mb in size instead of
1Gb.
>
> Q Do usb storage device of this type have boot record similar to the
> master
> boot record on a floppy / hardisk. ?
> If not how does the device know to only format 500mb of the available
> memory as a usb fat storage device?
> (Windows and the supplied format utility only see 500mb available)
>
> OS win 2000 service pack 4 + latest fix / security fixes
> 256mb ram in the PC.
>
> How can I recover the missing memory / simulated disk space ?
>
> thanks
> Robert Fernando
>
>
>
>

10

Assuming I reconstruct the missing info (I think all that need changing is
the partiton length and total number of sector info), in sector 0 of the mp3
player, how do I format the new partition, with out sector 0 being re
written? Player supports fat16 format.

----- Original Message -----
From: “Jeff Goldner”
To: “Windows System Software Devs Interest List”
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 3:51 PM
Subject: RE:[ntdev] Is there a document the list the Format for usb memory
devices as used in mp3 players

I’m kind of surprised that the vendor’s own utility messed this all up.
Unless you remove the partitions (e.g., with disk manager) and recreate
it from Windows, the on disk format would not get changed. Also the
simulated geometry should not change. Most (not all) USB devices like SD
and compact flash use 64 sectors per track simulated format. Memory
stick uses 96 sectors.

Try dmdiag to look at the layout on various devices.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/reskit/tools/existing/dmdi
ag-o.asp for Win2K.

[The 63/255 thing is really a BIOS limitation based on extended CHS
addressing
(http://www.storagereview.com/guide2000/ref/hdd/bios/modesECHS.html has
some of the gory details). The BIOS uses these parameters (255 heads!
And 63 sectors per track) to indicate that the device is using fake
geometry. If you took apart a modern disk, you’d be hard pressed to find
more than 4 heads or so - and there are variable numbers of sectors per
track anyway. Unfortunately, the formatting code in Windows is not very
clever and assumes that this represents actual geometry and then it
further tries to get the partitions to fall on “track” boundaries
(multiples of 63*255). To leave 1MB at the end - just in case you
wanted to convert to dynamic disks, Windows then rounds down usually to
the 8MB or so that David points out. So if you were to wipe out the
vendor supplied partitions on a 64MB disk on key and then let Windows
repartition, you’d wind up with about 56MB. At that point there is no
way to get this back using normal Windows tools. You’d need to edit the
partition table using a hex editor. http://www.ata-atapi.com/hiwtab.htm
has details on the table format. The more adventurous can locate the
diskpar.exe (no T) from the Win2k resource kit and have a go with that
but you’d still have the 8MB truncation.]

-----Original Message-----
From: David J. Craig [mailto:xxxxx@yoshimuni.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 8:57 PM
Subject: Re: Is there a document the list the Format for usb memory
devices as used in mp3 players

Try WinHex and rebuild it carefully. You may need to write a format
utility. This stuff sure isn’t easy and the restrictions Microsoft has
imposed with the 63 * 255 format can cause a large loss of storage
space.
The normal maximum loss is 8,225,280 bytes, but it also depends upon how
the
drive responds to the read capacity request.

“Robert Fernando” wrote in message
news:xxxxx@ntdev…
> Hi all,
>
> I recently reformatted my mp3 player (usb memory stick type s1 mp3
payer
> Wilson co ltd firm ware 3.0.43 2005hb-Fm184596)
> using the supplied formatting tool. This wiped player apart from the
> firmware, but now the device reports it is 500mb in size instead of
1Gb.
>
> Q Do usb storage device of this type have boot record similar to the
> master
> boot record on a floppy / hardisk. ?
> If not how does the device know to only format 500mb of the available
> memory as a usb fat storage device?
> (Windows and the supplied format utility only see 500mb available)
>
> OS win 2000 service pack 4 + latest fix / security fixes
> 256mb ram in the PC.
>
> How can I recover the missing memory / simulated disk space ?
>
> thanks
> Robert Fernando
>
>
>
>

—
Questions? First check the Kernel Driver FAQ at
http://www.osronline.com/article.cfm?id=256

You are currently subscribed to ntdev as: unknown lmsubst tag argument: ‘’
To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com

11

Hi all,
further to my last message this is how dmdiag views my usb mp3 player

---------- \Device\Harddisk2 ----------

\Device\Harddisk2\DP(1)0-0+e (Device)
\Device\Harddisk2\DR13 (Device)
\Device\Harddisk2\Partition0 (SymbolicLink) -> \Device\Harddisk2\DR13
\Device\Harddisk2\Partition1 (SymbolicLink) ->
\Device\Harddisk2\DP(1)0-0+e

---------- ldmsize 2 ----------

63 Cylinders
255 Tracks/Cylinder
63 Sectors/Track
512 Bytes/Sector
11 MediaType
1,012,095 Sectors (total)
518,192,640 Bytes (total)
506,048 KB
494 MB
0.5 GB

0 StartingOffset
522,043,904 PartitionLength
0 HiddenSectors
0 PartitionNumber
0 PartitionType
0 BootIndicator
0 RecognizedPartition
0 RewritePartition

4 PartitionCount
0037d01f Signature

Starting Partition Hidden Total Partition
Partition Boot Recognized Rewrite
Offset (bytes) Length (bytes) Sectors Sectors Number Type
(HEX) Indicator Partition Partition

32,256 522,011,648 63 1,019,554 0
0x0E 1 1 0
0 0 0 0 1
0x00 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 2
0x00 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 3
0x00 0 0 0

518,192,640 Bytes ( 1012095 sectors) Geometric size
9,223,372,036,854,775,296 Bytes ( -1 sectors) True size (measured)
522,043,904 Bytes ( 1019617 sectors) Reported size (Partition0)
9,223,372,036,332,731,392 Bytes (-1019618 sectors) missing/wasted

Am I correct in thinking that two partitions have been created on the device
? and windows 2k sp4 cannot see one of them ?

thanks
Robert

12

Robert Fernando wrote:

Hi all,
further to my last message this is how dmdiag views my usb mp3 player

---------- \Device\Harddisk2 ----------

\Device\Harddisk2\DP(1)0-0+e (Device)
\Device\Harddisk2\DR13 (Device)
\Device\Harddisk2\Partition0 (SymbolicLink) -> \Device\Harddisk2\DR13
\Device\Harddisk2\Partition1 (SymbolicLink) ->
\Device\Harddisk2\DP(1)0-0+e

---------- ldmsize 2 ----------

63 Cylinders
255 Tracks/Cylinder
63 Sectors/Track
512 Bytes/Sector
11 MediaType
1,012,095 Sectors (total)
518,192,640 Bytes (total)
506,048 KB
494 MB
0.5 GB
…

Starting Partition Hidden Total Partition
Partition Boot Recognized Rewrite
Offset (bytes) Length (bytes) Sectors Sectors Number Type
(HEX) Indicator Partition Partition

32,256 522,011,648 63 1,019,554 0
0x0E 1 1 0
0 0 0 0 1
0x00 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 2
0x00 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 3
0x00 0 0 0

518,192,640 Bytes ( 1012095 sectors) Geometric size
9,223,372,036,854,775,296 Bytes ( -1 sectors) True size (measured)
522,043,904 Bytes ( 1019617 sectors) Reported size (Partition0)
9,223,372,036,332,731,392 Bytes (-1019618 sectors) missing/wasted

Am I correct in thinking that two partitions have been created on the device
? and windows 2k sp4 cannot see one of them ?

No. What makes you think that? The partition table clearly shows
exactly one partition, half a gigabyte. The physical data above it (at
ldmsize 2) suggests that, as far as the driver and operating system
know, the device has a total capacity of half a gigabyte. Are you
absolutely certain this device had 1 GB before you reformatted?

Do you have access to Linux? You may be able to use some of the Linux
tools to poke around in this.

–
Tim Roberts, xxxxx@probo.com
Providenza & Boekelheide, Inc.

13

This information make me think there are two partitions on the device

Device\Harddisk2\Partition0 (SymbolicLink) -> \Device\Harddisk2\DR13

\Device\Harddisk2\Partition1 (SymbolicLink) ->
\Device\Harddisk2\DP(1)0-0+e

The device had 1gb and was accessible until corrupt directory listings
generated on the mp3 player when transferring data from the PC to the device
cause it to stop working.

Halving in memory / disk space available after a format is as I am finding
out a common problem with this type of mp3 player. It is not a brand
specific problem.
this player is of the type known as s1 mp3.

thanks
Robert
----- Original Message -----
From: “Tim Roberts”
To: “Windows System Software Devs Interest List”
Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2005 9:09 PM
Subject: Re: [ntdev] Is there a document the list the Format for usb memory
devices as used in mp3 players

> Robert Fernando wrote:
>
> >Hi all,
> >further to my last message this is how dmdiag views my usb mp3 player
> >
> >---------- \Device\Harddisk2 ----------
> >
> >\Device\Harddisk2\DP(1)0-0+e (Device)
> >\Device\Harddisk2\DR13 (Device)
> >\Device\Harddisk2\Partition0 (SymbolicLink) -> \Device\Harddisk2\DR13
> >\Device\Harddisk2\Partition1 (SymbolicLink) ->
> >\Device\Harddisk2\DP(1)0-0+e
> >
> >---------- ldmsize 2 ----------
> >
> > 63 Cylinders
> > 255 Tracks/Cylinder
> > 63 Sectors/Track
> > 512 Bytes/Sector
> > 11 MediaType
> > 1,012,095 Sectors (total)
> > 518,192,640 Bytes (total)
> > 506,048 KB
> > 494 MB
> > 0.5 GB
> >…
> >
> > Starting Partition Hidden Total Partition
> >Partition Boot Recognized Rewrite
> > Offset (bytes) Length (bytes) Sectors Sectors Number
Type
> >(HEX) Indicator Partition Partition
> >
> > 32,256 522,011,648 63 1,019,554 0
> >0x0E 1 1 0
> > 0 0 0 0 1
> >0x00 0 0 0
> > 0 0 0 0 2
> >0x00 0 0 0
> > 0 0 0 0 3
> >0x00 0 0 0
> >
> > 518,192,640 Bytes ( 1012095 sectors) Geometric size
> >9,223,372,036,854,775,296 Bytes ( -1 sectors) True size (measured)
> > 522,043,904 Bytes ( 1019617 sectors) Reported size (Partition0)
> >9,223,372,036,332,731,392 Bytes (-1019618 sectors) missing/wasted
> >
> >Am I correct in thinking that two partitions have been created on the
device
> >? and windows 2k sp4 cannot see one of them ?
> >
> >
>
> No. What makes you think that? The partition table clearly shows
> exactly one partition, half a gigabyte. The physical data above it (at
> ldmsize 2) suggests that, as far as the driver and operating system
> know, the device has a total capacity of half a gigabyte. Are you
> absolutely certain this device had 1 GB before you reformatted?
>
> Do you have access to Linux? You may be able to use some of the Linux
> tools to poke around in this.
>
> –
> Tim Roberts, xxxxx@probo.com
> Providenza & Boekelheide, Inc.
>
>
>
> —
> Questions? First check the Kernel Driver FAQ at
http://www.osronline.com/article.cfm?id=256
>
> You are currently subscribed to ntdev as: xxxxx@ntlworld.com
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com
>

14

1 partition. …\Partition0 is the whole disk, and …\Partition1 is the
one - and the only - partition.

Maxim Shatskih, Windows DDK MVP
StorageCraft Corporation
xxxxx@storagecraft.com
http://www.storagecraft.com

----- Original Message -----
From: “Robert Fernando”
To: “Windows System Software Devs Interest List”
Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 1:58 AM
Subject: Re: [ntdev] Is there a document the list the Format for usb memory
devices as used in mp3 players

> This information make me think there are two partitions on the device
>
> Device\Harddisk2\Partition0 (SymbolicLink) -> \Device\Harddisk2\DR13
> >\Device\Harddisk2\Partition1 (SymbolicLink) ->
> >\Device\Harddisk2\DP(1)0-0+e
>
> The device had 1gb and was accessible until corrupt directory listings
> generated on the mp3 player when transferring data from the PC to the device
> cause it to stop working.
>
> Halving in memory / disk space available after a format is as I am finding
> out a common problem with this type of mp3 player. It is not a brand
> specific problem.
> this player is of the type known as s1 mp3.
>
> thanks
> Robert
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: “Tim Roberts”
> To: “Windows System Software Devs Interest List”
> Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2005 9:09 PM
> Subject: Re: [ntdev] Is there a document the list the Format for usb memory
> devices as used in mp3 players
>
>
> > Robert Fernando wrote:
> >
> > >Hi all,
> > >further to my last message this is how dmdiag views my usb mp3 player
> > >
> > >---------- \Device\Harddisk2 ----------
> > >
> > >\Device\Harddisk2\DP(1)0-0+e (Device)
> > >\Device\Harddisk2\DR13 (Device)
> > >\Device\Harddisk2\Partition0 (SymbolicLink) -> \Device\Harddisk2\DR13
> > >\Device\Harddisk2\Partition1 (SymbolicLink) ->
> > >\Device\Harddisk2\DP(1)0-0+e
> > >
> > >---------- ldmsize 2 ----------
> > >
> > > 63 Cylinders
> > > 255 Tracks/Cylinder
> > > 63 Sectors/Track
> > > 512 Bytes/Sector
> > > 11 MediaType
> > > 1,012,095 Sectors (total)
> > > 518,192,640 Bytes (total)
> > > 506,048 KB
> > > 494 MB
> > > 0.5 GB
> > >…
> > >
> > > Starting Partition Hidden Total Partition
> > >Partition Boot Recognized Rewrite
> > > Offset (bytes) Length (bytes) Sectors Sectors Number
> Type
> > >(HEX) Indicator Partition Partition
> > >
> > > 32,256 522,011,648 63 1,019,554 0
> > >0x0E 1 1 0
> > > 0 0 0 0 1
> > >0x00 0 0 0
> > > 0 0 0 0 2
> > >0x00 0 0 0
> > > 0 0 0 0 3
> > >0x00 0 0 0
> > >
> > > 518,192,640 Bytes ( 1012095 sectors) Geometric size
> > >9,223,372,036,854,775,296 Bytes ( -1 sectors) True size (measured)
> > > 522,043,904 Bytes ( 1019617 sectors) Reported size (Partition0)
> > >9,223,372,036,332,731,392 Bytes (-1019618 sectors) missing/wasted
> > >
> > >Am I correct in thinking that two partitions have been created on the
> device
> > >? and windows 2k sp4 cannot see one of them ?
> > >
> > >
> >
> > No. What makes you think that? The partition table clearly shows
> > exactly one partition, half a gigabyte. The physical data above it (at
> > ldmsize 2) suggests that, as far as the driver and operating system
> > know, the device has a total capacity of half a gigabyte. Are you
> > absolutely certain this device had 1 GB before you reformatted?
> >
> > Do you have access to Linux? You may be able to use some of the Linux
> > tools to poke around in this.
> >
> > –
> > Tim Roberts, xxxxx@probo.com
> > Providenza & Boekelheide, Inc.
> >
> >
> >
> > —
> > Questions? First check the Kernel Driver FAQ at
> http://www.osronline.com/article.cfm?id=256
> >
> > You are currently subscribed to ntdev as: xxxxx@ntlworld.com
> > To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com
> >
>
>
>
> —
> Questions? First check the Kernel Driver FAQ at
http://www.osronline.com/article.cfm?id=256
>
> You are currently subscribed to ntdev as: xxxxx@storagecraft.com
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com