USB Failed to Format--SOLVED

[peterlitton]

BACKGROUND

There have been several discussions about USB drives not formatting in the base station. Many were marked as resolved but didn't (really) have a solution. After several hours of troubleshooting this posts a new, non-documented solution.

Base/Bridge Hardware: VMB4000r3

Firmware: 1.21.1.0_4302_9611cf3

Cameras: 2x Arlo Pro Cameras model H8

Firmware: 1.092.1.0_9_120d8b7

PROBLEM CONDITIONS

Existing, working 32gb USB thumb drives fully functional for 3 years suddenly fail. Arlo App flags them as "Corrupt" and prompts to reformat. Attempts to reformat returns an error. Removing the USB drives and reformatting them as FAT32, default partition size in Windows 10 both Quick and not-quick methods and reinserting in Arlo Base Station does not solve the problem. Same issue.

PROBLEM SOLUTION (WINDOWS)

Two step process

1. Convert a GUID Partition Table (GPT) disk into a Master Boot Record (MBR) disk
2. Create a new simple volume

Step 1: Convert a GPT disk into an MBR disk

Follow Microsoft's Learn > Windows Server post "Convert a GPT disk into an MBR disk"

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/disk-management/change-a-gpt-disk-into-an-m...

Note: For me, using "Disk Management" in Windows didn't work--used Command Line.

Step 2: Create a New Simple Volume

1. In Windows search and open "Create and format hard disk partitions"
2. Click on your USB drive in top window
3. Right click on the resulting USB drive "Unallocated" bar in the bottom window
4. Select "Create New Simple Volume"
5. Follow the Wizard
6. Accept (or input) Volume size as Maximum Disk space
7. Accept or assign drive letter
8. Accept or Select "Format this volume..." with File System="FAT32", Allocation size="Default". Add a Volume Label if you want and Accept or Select "Quick Format"
9. "Finish"

Eject drive using Windows Eject Drive Utility

Remove and insert into Arlo Base Station

USB drive should be recognized

I hope this helps. If there are any questions or issues, please post and I'll respond. Sorry no Apple/Mac support/solution. --Peter

[yomomsmeta]

thank you so much for documenting this!

[Edinburgh_lad1]

This didn't work for me. I believe the issue is linked to bad firmware on SmartHub 5000.