2017 X5 RSE USB Question

[tnikolov]

Hey guys, does anybody know if our F15's have a limit on the USB drive they can read? I've just got a 128GB USB Drive, spent an hour and a half to fill it up with content and the car would not see it.

When I insert the flash drive it's led light would go off for a couple of seconds and then it would go dark again. The car would show no sign of seeing the USB drive at all.

A little stuck here, any help would be appreciated!

[TallTrees]

Originally Posted by tnikolov

Hey guys, does anybody know if our F15's have a limit on the USB drive they can read? I've just got a 128GB USB Drive, spent an hour and a half to fill it up with content and the car would not see it.

When I insert the flash drive it's led light would go off for a couple of seconds and then it would go dark again. The car would show no sign of seeing the USB drive at all.

A little stuck here, any help would be appreciated!

It will read 128GB. In fact I have a 256GB USB3 in the front console. Most likely a problem with the file format. Try NTFS

[ajob]

Good news: just try again with more patience!

First time I thought too that it was not working, then I found out the car takes many minutes (10 - 20) to just read & organize the files, but only the first time you plug it in.

Also, for reasons unknown, the car seems to digest certain brands faster. In my case from faster to slower, all "microthumb" 128 GB USB 3.0, NTFS with identical contents, about 2000 flac music files and some 50 videos in various fomats:

- Samsung
- Sandisk
- Lexar

[TallTrees]

Originally Posted by ajob

Good news: just try again with more patience!

First time I thought too that it was not working, then I found out the car takes many minutes (10 - 20) to just read & organize the files, but only the first time you plug it in.

Also, for reasons unknown, the car seems to digest certain brands faster. In my case from faster to slower, all "microthumb" 128 GB USB 3.0, NTFS with identical contents, about 2000 flac music files and some 50 videos in various fomats:

- Samsung
- Sandisk
- Lexar

Good point, I only use ultra fast USB3 sticks(I hate waiting). A very large slow device will take quite some time for the system to process.

The Corsair 256GB Flash Voyager Gs is very fast. Also the Patriot 128GB Supersonic Magnum Series works great. I have about 95GB's of flac over 3000 individual songs, the X5 processes changes quickly.

For the rear USB I'm using SanDisk 128GB Ultra Fit USB 3.0.(so the kids don't kick it getting in and out of the car). It's working very well albeit for movies not music so not nearly as many files. But I believe it wouldn't matter.

[tnikolov]

Originally Posted by TallTrees

It will read 128GB. In fact I have a 256GB USB3 in the front console. Most likely a problem with the file format. Try NTFS

That's a bit of a problem, since all at home is a Mac and I don't have a way to format/mount NTFS. I'll look around and try with a Windows VM if nothing helps.

[tnikolov]

Originally Posted by TallTrees

Good point, I only use ultra fast USB3 sticks(I hate waiting). A very large slow device will take quite some time for the system to process.

The Corsair 256GB Flash Voyager Gs is very fast. Also the Patriot 128GB Supersonic Magnum Series works great. I have about 95GB's of flac over 3000 individual songs, the X5 processes changes quickly.

For the rear USB I'm using SanDisk 128GB Ultra Fit USB 3.0.(so the kids don't kick it getting in and out of the car). It's working very well albeit for movies not music so not nearly as many files. But I believe it wouldn't matter.

Waited for it for 20 minutes, nothing happened ... :/

[Mistertmac]

I use a Samsung 128 GB in our 2017 F16.
I opened it, popped it into my iMac and transferred video and music files, and it plays fine in the RSE.

[teodorjelev]

I put Sony 2TB hard drive with 3.0 usb and wait about 3 min to load all 60,000 mp3 but after last update before it starts in less than 15 minutes

[tnikolov]

OK guys, after changing numerous flash drives all exhibiting the same problem I finally found the culprit - Media files should not be put into subdirectories. Everything (mkv, avi, m4v) should be placed under the root folder of the USB Flash drive. This works perfectly. The minute there's subfolder, the content inside that is not visible at all.

Took me a while to figure this out.. hope I help someone else with the info

[TallTrees]

Originally Posted by tnikolov

OK guys, after changing numerous flash drives all exhibiting the same problem I finally found the culprit - Media files should not be put into subdirectories. Everything (mkv, avi, m4v) should be placed under the root folder of the USB Flash drive. This works perfectly. The minute there's subfolder, the content inside that is not visible at all.

Took me a while to figure this out.. hope I help someone else with the info

That's weird, I have all of my stuff in folders and it works properly.

[artem123]

Originally Posted by tnikolov

That's a bit of a problem, since all at home is a Mac and I don't have a way to format/mount NTFS. I'll look around and try with a Windows VM if nothing helps.

Oh, you can format thumb drive on Mac any way you want with disc utility.

[alphaod]

Originally Posted by artem123

Oh, you can format thumb drive on Mac any way you want with disc utility.

But not into NTFS which I don't think works on the cars anyways since it's owned and used exclusively for Windows.

[stewy604]

Have you tried a FAT32 format?

[Jenya B]

not sure if it helps but this info from bmw service book regarding card compatibility





Use of a micro SDHC card
!
An update using a micro SDHC card may only be carried out with the engine stopped and the car at a standstill.

A micro SDHC card can be used for diagnostic purposes and for updates. A micro SDHC card is required for this
purpose (not supplied with the retrofit kit). It must be formatted in "FAT" format.
Insert the micro SDHC card into the card slot in the control unit.
The micro SDHC cards manufactured by the following are recommended:
– Intenso 4 GB Class 4
– Samsung 16 GB UHS Class 1
– SanDisk 8 GB Class 10
– Toshiba 8 GB Class 4
– Transcend 4 GB Class 4
– Transcend 8 GB Class 10
If a micro SDHC card which has already been used for other purposes is used, it must be formatted before
you use with the "SD Formatter 4.0" tool from the SD Association (download from https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_4/).

[tnikolov]

Originally Posted by stewy604

Have you tried a FAT32 format?

FAT32 has a file size limitation of 4GB.. which might be a problem. It is a problem for me for sure, cause most of my files are above that size.

Originally Posted by alphaod

But not into NTFS which I don't think works on the cars anyways since it's owned and used exclusively for Windows.

Mac's Disk Utility cannot format NTFS, nor do Macs can mount NTFS at all.

[artem123]

Originally Posted by tnikolov

Mac's Disk Utility cannot format NTFS, nor do Macs can mount NTFS at all.

Ok, ok. I stand corrected, however all I should have said was: OS X can default read NTFS disks, but not write to them. Possible solutions/options: NTFS for Mac OS X (10 Days Trial): I use this one, and it does the job very well. When the driver is installed, you format your NTFS disks with Disk Utility where you select Windows NT Filesystem as the format.
Sorry for not being clear first time.
And yes, i am aware it is not Mac support forum)))
Best of everything to all.

[tnikolov]

Originally Posted by artem123

Ok, ok. I stand corrected, however all I should have said was: OS X can default read NTFS disks, but not write to them. Possible solutions/options: NTFS for Mac OS X (10 Days Trial): I use this one, and it does the job very well. When the driver is installed, you format your NTFS disks with Disk Utility where you select Windows NT Filesystem as the format.
Sorry for not being clear first time.
And yes, i am aware it is not Mac support forum)))
Best of everything to all.

you're absolutely right i installed a Windows VM, formatted the drive in NTFS, copied the data.. to see it not working again. Luckily I found out it's the folders that's causing it...