memstick.ind and mstk_pro.ind files are needed for testing.
 

It must be from PSP with latest firmware upgraded and files from 4GB memory stick.

These files will be created on empty memory stick when it is inserted to PSP.

> memstick.ind and mstk_pro.ind files are needed for testing.
The files are empty (ie. zero length). Sometimes the files are hidden (and sometimes read-only)

They don't contain any useful information. They are not necessary for the proper functioning of the memory stick.
In general you shouldn't be writing code that relies on them.

Cliepet,

If they are empty and meaningless. Can you explain this?

I formatted my 4GB stick from memory reader with FAT16, then put it at UX50. Then it says it will have to format it and I say "yes", it fails.
However it created those 2 files on stick.
Also, if I copy thoes 2 files from FAT32 to FAT16 formatted media. My UX50 recognizes and works fine. HUH?

I'm not writing a codes. I'm just trying to find out those files from PSP and copying over my FAT16 formatted 4GB stick to see if they are working on UX50 as FAT16 instead of FAT32.

maybe .ind means indicator.... the system detect the file to know what kind of memory stick you inserted.

Agreed. For my program, I do the same thing. I make it create random files so that an updater program will see them and run. Without those files, the updater will not run. I think its the same.

JAmerican

> I formatted my 4GB stick from memory reader with FAT16, then put it at UX50.
Sorry - the largest universally compatible FAT16 partition is 2GB
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q118335

If you are formatting it on the PC, it will probably format it FAT32 - or creating an incompatible cluster size [sticks can technically support multiple partitions, but the CLIE will only read the first one. There are ways of breaking the 2GB barrier on a PC (see that technote) but AFAIK the CLIE can't handle them]

If you have a working 4GB stick (ie. working on the CLIE), please run "CHKDSK" on the stick and report what it says.

----
> Then it says it will have to format it and I say "yes", it fails.
Hard to understand what is exactly happening.
After a failed format, who knows what state it is in.

Or to put it another way - if you have a stick that is working - delete any .IND files - and it should continue to work just as well (unless running a program that relies on the file). The lower level file system determines the kind/size of memory stick at a lower level.
---

Cliepet,

We are all at same page here. However golalmo is saying that he is running his stick with FAT16 on UX50 for his 4GB. So that's why I opened this thread. In my knowledge, FAT16 only supports upto 2GB. However golalmo is saying 4GB with FAT16, I have to get those files and test if he send them to us. I don't know what has been changed on initializing stick on PSP with updaged firmware.

http://www.1src.com/forums/showthre...t=101452&page=4

i have the 4gig stick formatted with my psp with both of the files, but the problem is that they are 0kb in size and therefor i'm getting an error when trying to copy the to my pc.
any idea how to copy them?

p.s. my psp is f/w 2.00 and no, i'm not intend to upgrade it to the latest f/w for this test.

Just a slight tangent:

The Official 'Standard' for FAT16 specifies that 32kB is the maximum size a file cluster can be, but there is nothing stopping it being higher.
Now, in DOS and many implementations of FAT16, this arbitrary limit is in place, so for them the limit *is* 2GB per partiton.

HOWEVER, in Windows NT, Microsoft realised that they could push the cluster block size up to 64kB so they did, doubling the maximum capacity to 4GB - All versions of Windows based on NT (NT3.51, 4, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista) can and do support 4GB.

Support of the 64kB extension to FAT16 is spotty at best, but Linux and MacOSX both support it, at least in their most recent versions.

If Sony used a reference FAT16 driver, it's very likely it only supports 2GB, but since people have discovered that a 4GB stick works in FAT16 I must admit I'm intrigued.

Alas I don't have a boat-load of cash to burn on a 4GB MS to test this theory for myself, but if it's true I will be very happy :D

> i have the 4gig stick formatted with my psp with both of the files, but the problem is that they are 0kb in size and therefor i'm getting an error when trying to copy the to my pc.
You should be able to drag-and-drop them using the regular windows explorer. Some programs don't like copying zero-length files.
The actual size or content doesn't matter. Right click on the top-most folder and select 'New', 'Text Document' -- then rename it to "MEMSTICK.IND" or whatever.

----
BTW: The PSP *does* support FAT32. So formatting a 4GB Stick on the PSP is unclear which one it will pick.

Repeated request:
> please run "CHKDSK" on the stick and report what it says.

>i have the 4gig stick formatted with my psp with both of the files, but the problem is that they are 0kb in size and therefor i'm getting an error when trying to copy the to my pc.
any idea how to copy them?


That's weird since I was able to copy and paste both files on FAT32 and FAT16. (Yes, they are all 0kb as well.)

sony psp is fat16, tho it able to read fat32 formatted stick.
even so, it support NO MORE then 4gb.
read lik-sang review. they made test with datel 4gb hd.

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I'm expecting my 4Gb Sandisk MSPro to arrive any day now, and I want to know if I should try to format it on my UX50, on my PC (Windows 98 SE), or alternatively I could take it to Future Shop and try to get one of the salesmen to format it for me on a PSP. Which option gives me the best chance of using the full 4 Gb?

If I try to format on my UX50 and it fails, is the MS toast, or can I just re-format by another method, and at least use 2 of the 4 Gb? Any suggestions?

> can I just re-format by another method, and at least use 2 of the 4 Gb? Any suggestions?
My suggestion is to sell the 4GB stick and get two 2GB sticks (and hopefully some money left over). There are FAT32 hacks that will give you larger capacity but less functionality (ie. no builtin player apps). Remember the CLIE was not designed for sticks larger than 2GB

http://rapidshare.com/files/6374772/PSP4GB.zip
(click on "Free" on the right bottom, then on the next page type the letters in the box and press Download.)


these are the files generated by the psp firmware 1.5 on a 4GB MS. Couldn't verify if those work with the clies as i haven't my 4GB stick yet. It should arrive tomorrow tho.

Not working on a 4Gb MS (not DUO one). I hace it, and the CLIEs are not able to read it. Any suggestions?

didn't work on a 4GB sandisk ultra II memory stick pro duo either. I went down to the local electronics store and had my stick formated in a psp. I turned aut the PSP didnt actually changed the filesystem so i ended up with a fat32 stick with some psp files on it. Maybe one have to format it to fat16 prior to formating in a psp. Formating it to FAT16 using XP without additional steps will not make the stick work in my TH55. (However it made the stick work in a P910i smartphone which also only supports FAT16, it failed formating there though)

Here is was I discovered in my various attempts on making it work using the memstick.ind and mstk_pro.ind files:
First thought was the file date and attributes have to be set correctly as this themes to be the only way as information could be coded into these files. No luck.
As the clie recognizes the stick without these files i don't think they are the key.

So i will try the psp approach further or formating on a sony vaio notebook...