A format the wrong way can make the memory slow or in rare cases render it useless.

A format should only be performed when really necessary, in all other case please take the time, select the files and just delete them. It is important to note that when you get a new SD or USB stick it is already formatted the best way.

Ok, I realise I am starting to sound boring here, so skip the technical crap and we move on to the next part. You see it does not really what file system is used as the controller 'translates' it fit for the memory type used. When you start writing to it the first block is being filled, once full the second is being filled and so on. See it as a tower with the controller at the bottom and the memory blocks on top of it. Here is also the point where all the fakes fool you.

So you have the controller taking your data and shifting it onto the actual memory chips. This is one reason why a 16GB chip never can take the full 16GB, usually between 14.5 and 15.8GB. Some areas of the memory can't be accessed with normal tools as they contain the actual info on the addressing and type of memory. Like a hard drive each flash memory not only contains a memory chip but also a controller to transfer the data.

It does not matter if you have a USB stick or SD card, the only difference is the connection type and the way it is addressed, in most cases you can find the same memory chips in both types. Let me tell you a bit about the way these memory devices actuall work (in simple terms).

Fakeflashtest down