If this is a Sony memory stick for a Sony camera you should format it in
the camera. If not this is just one more issue you have with Vista.
That is unless the memory stick is defective or incompatible in some way.

Having a dual boot system I do not have these types of problem with
Linux but any thing can happen with Windows.

The thing I really miss about Windows is better printer compatibility
(only with my Canon IP4000 and not with my HP) and Gimp being a distant
second to Photoshop but still good enough. Gutenprint dialogs in Gimp
are not match for Windows.

But everything else is better including the scanning software that
allows me to create mulipage PDF files with my Epson scanner. I could
not do this with the Epson software for Windows. I did need to hunt for
a special driver for my model of Epson scanner but once I found it
everything works great. The scanning software does have some rough
edges but once you know the idiosyncrasies it is great.

andrea wrote:[color=blue]
> "azrene10" wrote:
>
>[color=green]
>> i have the same problem telling me i need to format then it says it was unable to complete format and now i can not use the flash dives i purchased
>> I can't get Vista to work with my memory stck, it recognizes the stick, then
>> wants to format it and then refuses to format it. There is data on the stick
>> and I cannot access it with Vista. I really hate Vista, nothing seems to work
>> with the way it should.
>> "Favian" wrote:
>>
>>[color=darkred]
>>> If I insert a memory stick into my memory card hub, windows vista will
>>> automatically assume that the stick is not formatted, and will suggest that
>>> I format it. The problem here, is that there is data on the memory stick,
>>> vista does not bother checking the contents of the memory stick. (Typically
>>> in XP, it will scan the contents of the memory stick, and present me with
>>> some options depending on the contents)
>>>
>>> I foresee someone assuming there is no data on their memory cards/sticks,
>>> even though there is, and taking vista's suggestion of formatting the card
>>> and thus erasing their data.
>>>
>>> This was never an issue in XP, only in VISTA.
>>>
>>> Any comments/suggestions regarding this? Similar experiences?
>>>
>>> Please fix it microsoft.
>>>
>>>[/color][/color][/color]