1TB USB drive will not retain data

I run an older computer, PC compatible, roughly from 9 or 10 years ago, running W10 (Pro, i think) with all updates. Lately i have consecutively gotten several (three of them) 1TB USB "thumb" drives. In every case they will store up to about 100 - 175 MB of data, but when i exceed that i suddenly find directories with no files in them at all, exactly like all the files within the directories were deleted, but the directories were left intact.

I did try to format the first one, first a quick format, and after that failed a full format that took two to three days to complete. Still had the same issue.

I first blamed the drives, as this experience has been one drive at a time over the last month or so, but now, three drives in a row, i suspect my hardware. The vendor refunded my money and i got yet another drive from them, but now i feel like i am the problem, not them.

How do i diagnose if it is me or not? I do not have access to any more recent computer off-hand, which would have been my first step. To note, i do believe these are all USB 2 as is my computer, but i have made mistakes in my assumptions before. I apologize for my lack of knowledge-

This is the drive - Amazon.com

Many thanks for your kind support and knowledge!!!

I suspect it is a fake - it nay have some capacity, but unlikely 1TB at that price. Have you read the reviews? - not just the 5-start ones - although one of them rated the device 5 stars merely to ensure his warning gets read! The behaviour of appearing to work OK until a 'large' amount of data has been stored is typical. It means most users won't notice, at least not immediately.

See this for details: Be aware of fake 2TB USB sticks on Amazon that can cause data loss - Myce.com

That is 4 years old, but they didn't stop: this from earlier this year: That cheap 2TB USB stick is probably fake - here’s how you know | The Star

Just read reviews, i feel like an idiot. I almost always will check them first, but i guess i just didn't think.

Thank you both for your responses and education!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY NEW YEAR, and pray all this Covid stuff goes away, both actual and political!