How to Reformat the PNY Optima Flash Drive

Reformatting a USB flash drive deletes all of the data.

A Flash drive stores data in the same manner as a hard drive, although the solid-state memory makes for a faster response when used in a computer. Reformatting a PNY Optima Flash drive will wipe all of the data so that it is restored to its original state. The procedure does not require additional software as the formatting program comes with the computer's operating system.

Instructions

Reformat PNY Optima Flash Drive On A Mac

1. Insert the USB connector on the end of the PNY Optima Flash drive into a USB port on the Mac. Wait for the icon of the PNY Optima Flash drive to appear on the desktop.

2. Open the "Applications" folder. Locate the "Utilities" folder, and launch the Disk Utility program in that folder. You can launch it by double-clicking on the icon.

3. Click on the icon of the PNY Optima Flash drive in the left column of the Disk Utility program's main screen. Click the "Erase" tab at the top of the screen.

4. Leave the name of the PNY Optima Flash drive untouched in the "Name" column. Leave the type of formatting that is listed in the "Format" column unchanged.

5. Click the "Erase" button at the lower right corner of the screen. Click the "Erase" button on the pop-up confirmation window. Wait as a progress bar at the bottom of the Disk Utility program's main screen fills in from left to right. Quit the Disk Utility program after the progress bar has completely filled in.

6. Drag the icon of the PNY Optima Flash drive to the Trash. Remove the PNY Optima Flash drive from the USB port of the Mac.

Reformat PNY Optima Flash Drive On A PC

1. Insert the connector on the PNY Optima Flash drive into a USB port on the PC. Go to "Start," "My Computer," "Devices."

2. Right-click on the icon of the PNY Optima Flash drive that is beneath the "Removable devices & storage" tab in the window that appears. Select "Properties" from the pop-up window.

3. Click on the "Tools" tab at the top of the window. Uncheck the "Quick format" checkbox on the window. Leave the "Name" and "Format type" columns unchanged.

4. Click the "Start" button at the bottom right corner of the window. Wait as a progress bar appears at the bottom of the window and fills in from left to right. Close the window once the progress bar is filled in by clicking the red "X" button in the window's upper right corner.

5. Right-click on the icon of the PNY Optima Flash drive on the desktop. Select "Eject" from the pop-up window. Remove the PNY Optima Flash drive from the USB port of the PC.

References

• Everything USB: Flash Drive, Thumbdrive FAQ

Resources

• PNY: USB Flash Drives