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USB data stick has been in the wash!
cooldudecol
Posts: 784 Forumite
in Techie Stuff
My USB data stick has been in the wash and now it doesn't work.
Is there anyway of retreiving the files from the stick?
Or is there perhaps a temporary file stored on my PC from when I accessed the file from last week?
Is there anyway of retreiving the files from the stick?
Or is there perhaps a temporary file stored on my PC from when I accessed the file from last week?
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Comments
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Hello there.
It all depends really on what the condition looks like inside, are you sure it was completely dry when you tried it? it could work if it was properly dry, e.g. airing cupboard.
I doubt there would be a temp file on your PC, usually, when a program like microsoft office saves a document successfully to a device, it erases the temp file. Other than that, windows doesnt cache contents of memory sticks.
You could also try taking the cover off the usb stick, open it up and have a look at the terminals for corosion/water damage.0 -
Dry it off for a couple of days before you even ATTEMPT it
Make sure its COMPLETELY dry before plugging it in:idea:0 -
Open the thing up or place in oven for ten mins at 30deg There is not much in there to go wrong just a couple of chips and a socket, glue or tape together.0
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I did the same thing and I left it on the heater a few hours and it worked ok after that. It was my OH's work stick and I was petrified I had broke it but he never knew.:j little fire cracker born 5th November 2012 :j0
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USB sticks have a habit of going into people's washing machines, and come out working fine - but only if you let them dry out properly!Everybody is equal; However some are more equal than others.0
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Just make sure it is dry before plugging it in, when you are happy that it is dry, clean the USB terminals with a cotton bud and some alcohol/white spirit, this will remove any conductive mineral that may have set on the copper terminals.Since when has the world of computer software design been about what people want? This is a simple question of evolution. The day is quickly coming when every knee will bow down to a silicon fist, and you will all beg your binary gods for mercy.0
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If it doesnt work from what you've already tried, I know PC World have a data recovery service they offer, but I think its about £50..0
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Just want to say thanks for your all of your help. I've let it dry out and it does work
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cooldudecol wrote: »Just want to say thanks for your all of your help. I've let it dry out and it does work
Now that the panic is over. Probably an ideal time to look into backing up procedures etc.
Best non-technical way to think of it is "don't put all your eggs in one basket"."She is quite the oddball. Did you notice how she didn't even get excited when she saw this original ZX-81?"
Moss0 -
scottishchick27 wrote: »I did the same thing and I left it on the heater a few hours and it worked ok after that. It was my OH's work stick and I was petrified I had broke it but he never knew.
Nice one - what they don't know can't hurt them!0
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