Need to format AGAIN

[NZBob]

I love my little Neo, but it is frustrating that almost every time that I plug it into my PC, it says that it can't read it and it needs formatting! I can download the photos and video with wifi 'Quick Transfer' to my phone, but the PC doesn't read it. If I format it AGAIN using DJI Fly, it becomes available again to the PC, but after the next flight it is likely to need formatting again!

I thought that I had it worked out, I realised that I had problems if any of the drones were 'on' when plugged in to the PC, so I was careful to only plug them in when the drone was off. I also was careful to always 'eject' the drive before unplugging, but again today, "This drive needs formatting!"

I would prefer to download them direct to my PC as the transfer is much faster, and my editing software is there.

Anyone know any magic way to make this reliable?

 

[GFields]

I have never been asked by my PC to format or reformat the NEO. I would start by using a different cable and/or USB port

 

[NZBob]

I have never been asked by my PC to format or reformat the NEO. I would start by using a different cable and/or USB port

Thanks. I have tried two cables, the DJI original and another high quality one. My new PC only has one USB-C port on the front, but I suppose that I could try one on the back...
I could also try a USB-A (3.0) to USB-C cable to connect it. The USB-C with either cable works fine with my Air 3s and I can transfer videos quickly.

 

[Kilrah]

Never had that happen either, on or off. I'm always using A to C.

 

[NZBob]

I had the same problem yesterday with my Air 3s. I am suspecting that it is the USB-C port on the front of the computer that is possibly too fast for the drone to be reliable. I have formatted again, and will try a USB-A to C cable for a while. The USB-A port is only USB 3.0 (5 Gbps, while the USB-C is at least 20 Gbps). The USB-C port and cable work perfectly for connecting my phone and downloading photos/video, so I think the port and cable are fine. We will see.

 

[NZBob]

Ok, so far so good. After several flights and downloads to my PC, I have had zero problems when using the slower A to C.
USB is supposed to negotiate the speed, but the drone seems unreliable when pushed too fast. Reliability is better than speed.

 

[NZBob]

Back to the same problem, even using A to C. I tried a different (older) computer which rather than just saying that it needed formatting, said that the card had an invalid directory. Talked to DJI and they said that I should format the card (and internal storage), using my computer, to make sure that it was formatted in a standard way that my computer would like. Thewy said that after that, it would be fine to re-format after transferring all the files, using the drone. I have now formatted them all, plugged into my computer C to C. I could give them all a name (label) too doing this way, so it is easier to see which is which when plugged in. So far so good, but we will see after a few cycles

 

[ryguy80]

I would avoid deleting files on the Neo's internal storage which can cause problems. After a session, I take the files I need off the Neo then format the internal drive using the DJI Fly app.

 

[NZBob]

After formatting the drives using my computer and giving them names, I have had no further problems

It could be that the version of Windows 11 Pro that I am using is just particularly fussy. Anyway, happy camper again!

 

[Chrislaf]

I would avoid deleting files on the Neo's internal storage which can cause problems. After a session, I take the files I need off the Neo then format the internal drive using the DJI Fly app.

I do the same.

Chris