duplicate files on memory stick

Question

Hi,

Has anybody met a situation where files and folders appear as duplicates on a memory stick?

(memory stick is 8GB FAT32 formatted Silicon Power)

for instance in the same folder.  (showing twice both on Windows 7 and XP)

document1.doc

document1.doc 

In theory this should not be possible (filename uniqueness requirements), so ideas go towards hardware or driver error or usb malware.

Searhced the net, but couldn't find such a curiosity discussed.

Checked for viruses with Microsoft Security Essentials, USB Scan and New Folder Removal tool with no viruses detected.

When trying to copy such a duplicate file the copy process starts twice and asks about overwriting identically named target file.

Answer 1

Sounds like a directory problem, or a corrupt USB drive that's on its way to failing.  I'd back up essential documents, make SURE they're readable, then full-format the drive and see if that resolves the issue.  If not I'd toss it and get another.

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Hi,

Has anybody met a situation where files and folders appear as duplicates on a memory stick?

(memory stick is 8GB FAT32 formatted Silicon Power)

for instance in the same folder. (showing twice both on Windows 7 and XP)

document1.doc

document1.doc

In theory this should not be possible (filename uniqueness requirements), so ideas go towards hardware or driver error or usb malware.

Searhced the net, but couldn't find such a curiosity discussed.

Checked for viruses with Microsoft Security Essentials, USB Scan and New Folder Removal tool with no viruses detected.

When trying to copy such a duplicate file the copy process starts twice and asks about overwriting identically named target file.