USB Flash Drive just died on me- HELP!

Deni_zen

My USB flash drive has just died on me - it flashes when I stick it in the port but then I can't access any files. PANIC! It has a lot of recent work that I haven't backed up yet!

Can someone advise me what to do?

Thanks

Deni

CrustyMcMuffin

Open up windows explorer(I'm assuming your on windows). In the address bar type e:\ and you might be able to access the files that way.

Note e:\ is the default drive for a temporary device, if you already have an e:\ drive, two cd drives for example, then use f:\

Deni_zen

Hello Crusty

I tried that and still no joy - any other suggestions?

Deni

CrustyMcMuffin

Are you on XP? If so try:

Start > Control Panel > Add Hardware

The wizard will do a quick sweep for any new devices and might pick it up this way.

Also if on XP, does the Safely Remove Hardware option pop up in the task bar?

Deni_zen

Hi Crusty

The safely remove hardware icon does appear.

The wizard could not locate the driver for the memory stick....I have tried it in two pc's now and it doesn't respond in either of them.

Deni

CrustyMcMuffin

Well it's good the safely remove hardware icon appears but not good it doesn't work in another PC, do you have any other usb devices plugged in and are they working?

Next thing to try is to plug the usb drive in right click on 'My Computer' and select 'Manage', click 'Disk Management' & look for 'Removable Media' with the exact disk space your pen drive has. Right-click on it and select 'Change/Add drive letter and paths' and assign any available drive letter to it and try browsing to that new drive letter.

If that doesn't work then right-click on 'My Computer' and select 'Properties', go to 'Hardware' and select 'Device Manager' - are there any yellow exclamation marks there?

Deni_zen

Hi Crusty

Blimey - I tried what you suggested and no luck! No exclamation marks and another memory stick works fine in a usb port.

Thanks for your help so far...

Deni:eek:

wonderfullife_2

Hi
Do these things have a lock on them or protected in any way?, also when you plug it in and go into My Computer does it show up in there.

Deni_zen

Hi wonderful

No it's not protected and it doesn't show up in my computer as it normally does when I put it in the port. I'm not sure if there is anyone I can take it to to have it checked....any ideas?

Deni

wonderfullife_2

Hi
It sounds like its dead to me, but just to be sure I'd reboot the pc and try it again, I've just looked at the net and here's what I get

Q. A USB flash drive with important data appears to have "fried." What are your recommendations for recovering the data?

A. Whenever you experience data loss due to accidental erase or corruption immediately STOP using the USB flash drive. Try to retrieve the data is through recovery software, such as Image Rescue 2 or Image Recall 2, which are available at computer retail stores

Have a look here and see if this is any good.

http://www.shareup.com/Image_Recall-download-26284.html


Hope this helps

Deni_zen

Hi All

Thanks for all your advice:A ... I managed to get the problem sorted today! hoorah!

Turns out there is a little lock switch on the side of the pen which was switched the wrong way!

Feel a bit daft but very happy!

Deni:D