I just got a USB flash drive. Plugged it in thinking "cool, what a way to move files around". As it turns out, mine keeps crapping out on me. After adding some files/folders to the drive, I'll go back in to look at them and all I see are a bunch of 00000000.000 folders (128 of them per directory to be exact, all named the exact same thing). It happens inconsistently, and there's nothing I do differently when adding different files. The only way to get rid of these is by formatting the flash drive, which is not very appealing to me of course. I also can't format it in NTFS, as the format fails just before it will complete. Has anyone else ever run into this problem??

flash drives usually don't need NTFS file system. keep it FAT32, if it keeps doing it, use FAT file system. Also, if you take it out without "ejecting" it from the computer, it could be corrupting the data. Usually you can right click the drive and click eject. Try it and post the results. Build-in-Progress: NZXT Nemesis Elite Athlon 64 3200 Abit An8 OCZ EL PE Rev2 DDR400 X800PRO flash to 800XT PE A-TOP ATX12V 500W PSU

No dice. I actually can't format as ntfs, so my only option has been to format as fat32 (which succeeds). The corrupted files will show up without even ejecting the flash drive at some points; but either way, I always 'eject' it from the computer first rather than just yank it out. thanks though. Any other thoughts?

your flash drive is FAKE!!!!!! its a duplicate drive. normally such drives are available in market at almost 40-50% price of a original drive. it has nothing to do with NTFS / FAT. I bought one & it had same problem, so i asked for rplcmnt, similar problem with other. these kept on repeating with 4 drives. Finally i gave it off & bought a drive which has genuine warranty.