DataTraveler 101 G3 - Support

Some of the flash storage device's listed capacity is used for formatting and other functions and thus is not available for data storage, therefore you will not see the full capacity.

When a flash storage device is manufactured, steps are taken to ensure that the device operates reliably and permits the host device (computer, digital camera, PDA, etc.) to access the memory cells; i.e., to store and retrieve data on the flash storage device. These steps, loosely called "formatting," utilize some of the memory cells within the device and thus reduce the capacity available for data storage by the end-user.

Formatting includes the following operations:

1. Testing each memory cell in the flash storage device.
2. Identifying all defective cells and taking steps to ensure that no data will be written to or read from a defective cell.
3. Reserving some cells to serve as "spares." Flash memory cells have a long but finite lifetime. Therefore, some cells are held in reserve to replace any memory cells that may fail over time.
4. Creating a File Allocation Table (FAT) or other directory. To enable flash storage devices to conveniently store and access customer files, a file management system must be created to allow any device or computer to identify the files stored in the flash storage device. The most common type of file management system for flash storage devices is the File Allocation Table (FAT), which is also used on hard drives.
5. Reserving some cells for use by the flash storage device's controller, e.g., for storing firmware updates and other controller-specific information.
6. Where applicable, reserving some cells for special features. For example, the specification for Secure Digital (SD) cards requires reserved areas to support special copy protection and security features.

FAQ: KDT-010611-GEN-06

Our flash drives are plug-n-play devices. Therefore, additional drivers are not required.

FAQ: KDT-110611-GEN-09

To transfer files larger than 4GB, the DataTraveler must have a NTFS or exFAT file system. Unfortunately, the FAT32 file system is not capable of handling a single file larger than 4GB (to be exact, one byte less than 4GB). Follow the steps below to format the DataTraveler with an NTFS File system:

Warning, all data on the DataTraveler will be lost! Please backup the data on the DataTraveler before proceeding.

1. Type This PC in the Windows search bar. Right-click on the Kingston drive and select Format.
2. Select NTFS or exFAT from the file system drop-down list.
3. Select Quick Format as the Format option and click Start.

Note: macOS X has read-only access for drives formatted with NTFS file system. Additionally, some multi-media devices may not support NTFS.

FAQ: KDT-010611-GEN-05

Unfortunately this unit does not have any security or write protection feature. If you receive a write protection message with this drive, check for the following:

1. Verify that you are allowed to write to removable storage devices. There may be a security setting in the OS that disables write access to removable storage devices.
2. Make sure you have not enabled write protection on the drive by using a third party software.
3. If none of the above apply, the drive may be defective. Contact Kingston Technical Support for further assistance.

FAQ: KDT-011411-PW-08

If you have data on the DataTraveler that is important to you, we strongly recommend that you use one of the two possible ways for data recovery (see below). Kingston does not offer data recovery services. For more information on our warranty policy please visit http://www.kingston.com/company/warranty.asp

1. Contact a company that specializes in data recovery services such as Driver Savers at www.drivesavers.com and Ontrack at www.ontrack.com just to name a couple or you can do a search on Google for data recovery.
2. Go to www.download.com and do a search for data recovery and download one of the many utilities for data recovery which are fairly simple to use. We suggest trying one of the free versions as they work just as well as the paid versions. However for the possibilities for this option to work, the computer must assign a drive letter to the device. Even so it's not a guarantee. If not then option #1 would be your best bet.

KDT-012611-GEN-25

FAQ: KDT-012611-GEN-25

FAQ: KGF-022811-GEN-02

1. The DataTraveler could be conflicting with a pre-assigned drive letter. To resolve, do the following (Do not do this for a "Privacy" drive that assigns two drive letters):

1. Insert the DataTraveler and open "Control Panel". Then open "Administrative Tools".

2. Open Computer Management

3. Select “Disk Management” on the left window pane.

4. Locate the DataTraveler on the right window pane.

5. Right-click on the drive and select “Change Drive Letter and Paths.”

6. Click Change and select a new drive letter from the drop-down box. Then click OK.

2. The DataTraveler may be conflicting with pre-installed software. Disable all applications running in the background prior to installation of the Data Traveler.

3. Make sure Windows, any USB controller drivers and the system BIOS for you computer is up to date.

4. If you have a desktop computer, make sure the DataTraveler is inserted directly into one of the main USB ports on the back of the PC. Front ports, keyboard ports or USB Hubs may not supply sufficient power for the High Speed DataTraveler to function properly.

If none of the above apply, your USB DataTraveler drive may be defective. Please contact Kingston Technical Support for assistance. 

FAQ: KDT-012314-GEN-02

Although it is possible to boot from the DataTraveler, it is not a feature Kingston supports.These drives are intended as storage devices.

FAQ: KTD-082913-GEN-27

Windows assigns new drives to the next available physical drive. It will sometimes take the same drive letter as a network drive for this reason. This is a common problem with removable storage devices.

To resolve this, go to Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Computer Management>Disk Management. Note the drives on the right windowpane. See if the Kingston (x) is recognized. (x) denotes the drive letter that Windows assigned for the DataTraveler.

If the DataTraveler is using the same drive letter as one of the other drives, right-click the Kingston Drive letter and click on "Change Drive letter and Paths".

On the next dialog box click on the "Change" button and assign a drive letter that is not currently being used.

Note: Do not manually change drive letters if you have a "Privacy" Data traveler that assigns two drive letters for the device.

FAQ: KDT-010611-GEN-03

As Windows is unable to format a drive over 32GB with FAT32, the use of third-party software is required. Although we cannot assist in acquiring or using third-party software to format a drive as FAT32, there are a number of free applications that can be found via Google or Bing search.

FAQ: KDT-010611-GEN-14

ReadyBoost is a Windows Vista and Windows 7 feature which has the ability to utilize USB flash drive storage space to improve system performance. The DataTraveler does not support Windows ReadyBoost.

FAQ: KDT-010611-GEN-11

Yes, this DataTraveler is supported by Linux as long as you have Linux Kernel 2.6.x and above.

Please note: If the DataTraveler comes with software, it will not function with Linux. Only the drive itself is compatible with Linux.

FAQ: KDT-011411-DRV-02

To resolve, make sure to insert the drive directly into the USB ports located on the computer. The USB ports found on the keyboard and some hubs may not supply sufficient power to properly operate the Kingston DataTraveler. Also, go to Finder>Preferences>Sidebar to ensure CD, DVD and iPod and External Disks are checked. If you have an Encrypted USB drive, please make sure you have the latest firmware. If the drive has the latest firmware and still is not recognized or not accessible on macOS, please contact technical support for assistance. 

FAQ: KDT-010611-GEN-18

In Macs you first have to empty out the trash can in order to regain the space back. You may have to re-plug the drive back in after emptying out the trash.

Should this not work then a complete format of the device should be done. Please follow these instructions for formatting your Kingston device.

WARNING: Formatting will erase all your data so please make sure you have a copy before proceeding.

1. Go to Go > Applications > Utilities and Open Disk Utility.
2. Choose your drive from the left panel and then click Erase on the right.
3. Select a Volume Format.Choosing MS-DOS File System will allow the drive to work on the Mac and Windows operating systems. If used only in a Mac then select Mac OS Extended as the Volume Format.
4. Click Erase.

FAQ: KDT-010611-GEN-04

This happens if the DataTraveler has been formatted with Microsoft Windows NTFS. To resolve, format the DataTraveler with macOS X using MS-DOS File System.

To format the DataTraveler with macOS, do the following:

1. Click on the "GO" option on the menu bar.
2. Double-click on "Utilities" (If you do not see Utilities, double-click on Applications and then double-click on the Utilities folder.)
3. Double-click on the "Disk Utility" icon.
4. On the Disk Utility Dialog box, click once on the Kingston DataTraveler active partition.
   Note: There will be two listings for the Data Traveler, the first one is the active partition and the second is the volume label.
5. Click the erase tab located on the right side of the screen.
6. Using the Volume Format drop-down, select "MS-DOS File System" from the list.
7. Click Erase.

FAQ: KDT-010611-GEN-08

Windows may not recognize the MacOS Extended or Standard file system. To resolve, format the drive in MacOS DOS so that it can be used in both environments.

WARNING: Formatting will erase all of the data on the DataTraveler. Back up your data before proceeding.

1. Insert the DataTraveler into the Mac OS X machine and wait for it to mount.
2. Click on the "GO" option on the menu bar.
3. Double-click on Utilities (If you do not see Utilities, double-click on Applications and then double-click on the Utilities folder.)
4. Double-click on the Disk Utility icon.
5. On the Disk Utility Dialog box, click once on the Kingston DataTraveler active partition. Note: There will be two listings for the DataTraveler, the first one is the active partition and the second is the volume label.
6. Click the erase tab located on the right side of the screen.
7. Using the Volume Format drop-down, select "MS-DOS File System" from the list.
8. Click Erase.

Be aware MacOS 10.6.5 will support full read and write access to exFAT formatted drives. So formatting the drive using exFAT file system may also resolve this problem. MacOS still has read only access to NTFS formatted drives.

Some devices (MP3 players, digital photo frames, etc) will not read NTFS or exFAT file systems.

Also Windows XP and Vista will require an update in order to access exFAT.

FAQ: KDT-010611-GEN-07