If you want to start listening to music from a third-party drive without any problems, find out in what format to format the flash drive for the radio. The instructions for the audio device will help you obtain this data.
Sometimes the incorrect format is the reason why the car radio refuses to read the media. In other words, before you run out to buy a new flash drive or even change the radio, try formatting the drive. What does the correct format affect and, in general, what are we talking about here? Let's start with theory.
What to do if the flash drive is unreadable?
If a flash drive is not detected, this does not mean that it will need resuscitation. Check if the cause is in the computer connector. To do this, simply switch it to another USB connector. If the reason lies in viruses, then a good antivirus program will automatically detect and remove them.
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Why format and what is a file system?
Below we will definitely tell you how to format a flash drive for a radio in a car with music, and we will provide detailed algorithms. Now let's talk about the feasibility of this procedure.
Any equipment, be it a computer, smartphone or radio, has an operating system. It is thanks to the latter that the device performs its functions. It is the operating system that interacts with third-party media that is connected to the device. It reads the information and, if necessary, downloads or plays it.
This is why it is so important that the car radio's operating system can communicate with your flash drive.
A flash card is a third-party storage device that has its own architecture or file system. This is the way information is distributed on the disk. There are different file systems, the most common today are FAT32 and NTFS. However, there are others. The computer operating system easily recognizes and interacts with almost any media architecture. However, the operating system of the radio is not so “smart” and multifaceted, therefore, as a rule, it can only read one format.
Most modern radios support the FAT32 file system. Less common are devices that work with NTFS. We have already written above; the instructions for the device will certainly help you find out.
So, most often you need to format a flash drive in order for the radio to read it. Formatting in the desired file system will allow you to write information to the drive in a way that the car’s audio system can recognize.
Accordingly, formatting destroys all data already existing on the disk. Therefore, you first need to format the drive and then record music on it.
Possible problems with recorded flash drives
Despite the fact that the process of copying audio tracks to a flash drive is extremely simple, car radios can produce various errors if something was done wrong. Pioneer car radios are especially famous for this, which sometimes even refuse to read the drives installed in them.
Error 23
On the radio display, error 23 is marked as ERROR-23. Most often this problem occurs on Pioneer radios. The reason for its appearance is that the installed drive is formatted in one of the FAT systems, while the radio “understands” only the NTFS system. Solution: reformat the drive from FAT to NTFS as described above;
ERROR-PROTECT
The ERROR-PROTECT message is displayed by the radio immediately after installing the flash drive. This error occurs because the files copied to the flash drive are protected by Windows Media DRM. Despite the fact that such files have the .wma extension and the Windows system itself recognizes and plays them perfectly, the car radio may not be able to do this, since its firmware does not have the necessary software.
Solution: convert protected files from wma to mp3 format using the Format Factory converter program.
- the latest version of the program is downloaded from the developers’ website and installed on a personal computer;
- after double-clicking on the program shortcut, the user will see a start window in which he can select the final audio format. In this case it is mp3;
MP3 format is selected in the upper left corner of the program
The files to be converted are selected and moved into the program using the “Add file” button
Program window where you can specify the destination folder for the converted files
CHECK-USB
The CHECK-USB message appears on the car radio display immediately after inserting the flash drive into the USB port. This error indicates that there is a failure somewhere in the USB power system. Perhaps this happened due to a short circuit in the port itself. Or perhaps the drive is consuming too much energy.
- It is necessary to conduct a thorough inspection of the USB port of the car radio. Foreign objects often get into this port: threads, hairs, ordinary dirt. All this may well cause a short circuit in the USB port and lead to an error;
- If no signs can be found, you must carefully study the instructions for the flash drive, paying special attention to the current consumption. This figure is usually indicated at the end of the instructions and it should not exceed 500 mA (this is the current limit for most USB ports on car radios). Even a slight excess of this figure can cause a CHECK-USB error;
- if it turns out that the flash drive requires a current exceeding 500 mA for normal operation, you should purchase a new flash drive whose current consumption does not exceed the specified mark;
ERROR 19
The ERROR 19 message appears for the following reasons:
- the files on the flash drive have an extension other than .mp3 or .wma;
- the names of folders and files contain Cyrillic characters;
- the files have the appropriate extension, but are stored in many small folders with a high level of nesting;
- install a flash drive into a personal computer, delete all extraneous files from it, and then check the flash drive with an antivirus program (many viruses place executable files on flash drives that are not “seen” by the standard Windows file manager, but which are clearly “visible” to the car radio, which is what leads to an error);
- organize the files on the flash drive by moving them to 5-6 new folders. All junk folders should be deleted;
- if the names of tracks and folders contain Cyrillic, you should rename them using the Latin alphabet;
So, there is no particular difficulty in moving several files from a computer to a flash drive. Even a novice user can do this. But even when writing flash drives, you cannot let your guard down: you should definitely check the file system and current consumption. Without this, the radio simply will not recognize the carrier and all efforts will be in vain.
Formatting procedure
In order for the radio to be guaranteed to recognize a flash drive, its file system format must comply with the FAT32 standard. Of course, some modern equipment of this type can also work with the NTFS file system, but not all radios can do this. Therefore, if you want to be 100% sure that the USB drive will fit the device, you need to format it to FAT32 before recording audio files. Moreover, it is important to perform the process in exactly this order: first formatting, and only then copying musical compositions.
Attention! Formatting involves deleting all data on the flash drive. Therefore, if files that are important to you are stored on it, be sure to transfer them to another storage medium before starting the procedure.
But first you need to check what file system the flash drive currently has. It may not need to be formatted.
The specified window displays all drives connected to the PC, including hard drives, USB and optical media. Find the flash drive you are going to connect to the radio and right-click on its name. In the list that appears, click on “Properties”.
If the “File system” option is “FAT32”, this means that the media is already prepared for interaction with the radio and you can safely record music on it without additional steps.
If the name of any other type of file system is displayed opposite the specified item, you should format the flash drive.
Formatting a USB drive into the FAT32 file format can be done either using third-party utilities or using the functionality of the Windows operating system. Next we will look at both of these methods in more detail.
Method 1: Third Party Programs
First of all, let's look at the procedure for formatting a flash drive in FAT32 format using third-party programs. The algorithm itself will be described using the Format Tool as an example.
Next, a dialog box will open in which a warning will be displayed in English that if the formatting procedure is launched, all data on the media will be destroyed. If you are sure of your desire to format the flash drive and have transferred all valuable data from it to another drive, click “Yes”.
After this, the formatting procedure starts, the dynamics of which can be observed using the green indicator.
After the process is completed, the media will be formatted in the FAT32 file system format, that is, prepared for recording audio files and then listening to them through the radio.
Method 2: Standard Windows tools
The file system of a USB drive can also be formatted in FAT32 using exclusively the built-in Windows tools. We will look at the algorithm of actions using the Windows 7 system as an example, but in general it is suitable for other operating systems in this line.
- Go to the Computer window, where your connected drives are displayed. This can be done in the same way as was described when we looked at the procedure for checking the current file system. Click RMB on the name of the flash drive that you plan to connect to the radio. In the list that opens, select “Format...”.
The formatting settings window will open. Here you need to perform only two steps: in the “File system” drop-down list, select the “FAT32” option and click on the “Start” button.
Instructions for making a USB input in the radio for a flash drive
How to install an output for a flash drive in an audio system with your own hands?
Installing the device into the radio yourself is not that difficult, but it may take some time:
Price issue
The cost of the device will vary not only depending on the manufacturer, but also the volume, as well as other technical characteristics. The cheapest version of a USB drive can cost a buyer today 200 rubles, the most expensive option will cost the buyer about 17 thousand rubles.
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What are the advantages of modern USB drives?
In the last few years, flash drives have been the most popular among car owners, as they allow you to quickly record your favorite audio tracks. This cannot be said about recording audio onto CDs, for which a laptop or computer must at least have a CD drive, as well as a special utility (for example, Nero or DAEMON Tools).
Another advantage of USB drives is their compact dimensions and large amount of built-in memory (flash drives with a memory capacity of 256 GB or more are available on the market).
The main advantages of flash drives: compact dimensions and large memory capacity
However, some car owners are faced with the fact that their car radio refuses to play audio tracks. What to do in this case?
How to determine the required format?
If you don’t have instructions and don’t know where to look in what format to format a flash drive for a car radio, we recommend starting with FAT32. Although this file system is already outdated and has a number of shortcomings, most radio tape recorders interact with it. Especially if you don’t have a very new car (if it’s younger than 2015, for sure).
Newer audio systems either support multiple file systems (including FAT32), or you'll simply have to format the device twice. Well, or look for instructions for the radio on the Internet, read car forums, on thematic websites.
Remember, the only data you need to know for the drive to “become a friend” for the radio is in what format to format your flash drive. Neither the brand of the media, nor the brand of the car radio, nor the size of the recorded information matters. The formatting method is the same for all formats.
