Does a memory stick need formatting when bought new

[R Brennan]

I bought a new memory stick and on inserting into the USB port it says it needs formating, but on formating and completion the computer tells me yhe stick cannot be formated

 

[ulysses35]

Sounds like you have a faalty memory stick - they are usually formatted whne you buy them (FAT32) - have you tried using it on another PC ?

 

[R Brennan]

thank you

 

[ender2003]

In general they probably do not need to be formatted. If the stick comes with proprietary software for launching portable apps, then I usually do format it first.

If you are getting an error about not able to format the stick, then I agree with ulysses35 and recommend trying it in another PC. Check in Disk Management and see if the device shows up there as well.