[gentoo-user] Re: problem formatting new 256 GB USB stick : glances at gparted

[Grant Edwards <grant.b.edwards@gmail.com>]

On 2025-02-18, Michael <confabulate@kintzios.com> wrote:
> On Tuesday 18 February 2025 18:54:07 Greenwich Mean Time Philip Webb wrote:
>
>> So yes, at least 1 of the sticks is unusable & probably both.  I
>> can take/mail them back to the store & ask them to test them with
>> Linux & refund my CAD if they confirm they're defective.
>
> I would refrain from stating anything which could well be outside
> their sphere of knowledge or understanding.  Hence I would not
> mention Linux, ext2, gparted, or anything exotic for the average
> MSWindows user, beyond:

Definitely that. The second they hear "Linux", they're going to say
"Those aren't supported on Linux" and turn their backs. If you push
the issue, they're going to claim the waranty is void because you were
using Linux. Well, that's what would happen in US. Maybe retailers are
nicer in Canada?

> "I just cannot format these sticks - they took many, many hours and
> eventually failed.  They are not like the previous USB sticks I
> bought FROM YOUR SHOP.  Can I please replace them for something more
> reliable AND FASTER.  If need be at a higher price point."

If they start asking questions, just say: "I tried to format them on
my PC. It ran for 10 hours, then failed.".  It doesn't matter what
they ask apart from "cash refund, replacement or credit?", that's your
answer.

I've bought a number of Toshiba and Samsung internal and external SSDs
(M.2 and USB3), and they have absolutely solid.  If possible by flash
products from manufacturers that actually make flash chips. You know
they're not putting the floor sweepings in their own products.

--
Grant