False Positive Validation on SD Card

[Ram2300]

I used ValiDrive ver_1.0.1 to test a 32GB SD card I bought online.
ValiDrive showed Declared size = 31.2 GB
ValiDrive showed Validated size = 31.2 GB
However Windows file explorer Properties say size is < 1 GB (0.99 GB)

There appears to be a flaw in ValiDrive ver_1.0.1 since it validates a Fake SD as being authentic in size.

 

[DarkwinX]

Hi @Ram2300. In windows you are checking the size of the partition not the actual disk size. It could be that you only have a 1GB partition available.

Can you check via disk manager to see if there is any unused space that is not formatted or a drive with no drive letter that accounts for the missing space?

For example.
In Disk Management this drive shows 1GB formatted but 6.21GB unallocated

Drive properties shows only the 1GB for Drive G

Validrive knows theres 7.75GB total

 

[Steve]

“What he said!”
That was exactly what I was getting ready to say. In this case, it does look very much like you have a 1GB FAT partition on a 32GB physical drive. What does the drive say on its body? Does it also claim to be 32GB? If so, and given that ValiDrive would agree, that's what I would believe.

Also note that the properties you posted shows a FAT partition... not a FAT32. That means that it's a FAT16 partition whose maximum size of 4GB, not 32GB. So whatever it was that formatted that thumb drive, for some reason, chose to use a 16-bit FAT rather than a 32-bit FAT.

 

[Ram2300]

Hi @Ram2300. In windows you are checking the size of the partition not the actual disk size. It could be that you only have a 1GB partition available.

Can you check via disk manager to see if there is any unused space that is not formatted or a drive with no drive letter that accounts for the missing space?.....

YES.. YES.. YES.. YOUR Assumptions were Correct.!!! Thanks much for solving the mystery I could not figure out. My sincere apologies for not returning here sooner. I did see your reply via email the day after posting my question. It simply took me time to return to this forum. THANKS again for sharing your knowledge and answering my initial issue.. Attached is image of my Partition Manager that confirms your suggestions were CORRECT. As shown earlier.. My Windows Disk Explorer was only reporting the First Partition (H on the SC card. Your suggestion to use Disk Manager was the key this puzzle.

Best Wishes.. Take Care.. Ram2300

 

[Ram2300]

“What he said!”
That was exactly what I was getting ready to say. In this case, it does look very much like you have a 1GB FAT partition on a 32GB physical drive. What does the drive say on its body? Does it also claim to be 32GB? If so, and given that ValiDrive would agree, that's what I would believe.

Also note that the properties you posted shows a FAT partition... not a FAT32. That means that it's a FAT16 partition whose maximum size of 4GB, not 32GB. So whatever it was that formatted that thumb drive, for some reason, chose to use a 16-bit FAT rather than a 32-bit FAT.

Hi Steve.. MEGA Thanks for your reply..!!! YOU & DarkwinX were both on target with your answers.
ValiDrive remains flawless.. it was my incorrect assumption Windows Disk Explorer reports total disk size.
Now I've learned it only reports the first Partition on a drive. Live and Learn

THANKS also for pointing out my SD card was formatted as only FAT (16). The purpose of this SD card was to install DietPie OS onto it, (an extra small version of Linux OS for a Single Board Computer (SBC). The FAT (16) formatting might have been my fault as well. I recall simply using the "Default" settings when using Windows Format Utility to format this SD card.

But now based upon your keen observations, I think I'll re-format my SD using FAT32 at my first opportunity and pay closer attention to "Default" suggestions when offered by windows.

THANKS much for your keen observations & comments...
Also.. Mega THANKS for creating GRC, SpinRite, Shield's UP, ValiDriv, and ALL your other Cool contributions to computing

Best Wishes.. Ram2300