How to Fix Your Flash Drive

This article describes how to fix the common file reading problems with your flash drive.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Courage:)

1. USB flash drives are very common these days, almost everyone has one to take their photos, music, business documents, etc. with them and they are great for data storage. These small gadgets are very handy but can be very unreliable, too. So, I will try to help you to fix the common file reading problems that might occur with your flash drive.
   
   Flash memory is considered insulated from jerks and related damage. However, the files in the flash drives can easily be corrupted. I have a Corsair brand which I have been using for the last couple of years and recently my laptop and computer stopped reading the drive. I wasn’t able to even browse the drive and reach any of my files. Here are some suggestions that you can use to solve problems like these:

2. If you can see the contents of your flash drive and have a problem with only one file, transfer another copy of the file with a renamed version - it may work.

3. 

   If your flash drive data is still getting corrupted, go to (My) Computer, right click the removable drive (your flash drive), then go to properties, then Tools tab. Run Error Checking and Scan for errors and fix them. The files that are corrupt or in bad sectors already will not work but at least the new transferred files should work.

4. 

   If step 2 fails, you need to format your flash drive. Formatting will delete all the data from your USB drive and make it fresh and hopefully remove all errors.
   
   To format your flash drive, go to (my) computer, right click removable drive and select and format the drive.
   
   In the Format window, first, select the file system. Then just select “Quick Format” and “Start” and all data will be deleted and hopefully all errors are now gone.

5. Sometimes formatting does not work either (like in my case)
   Then you have 2 options:
   (a)Throw away your flash drive and get a new one
   (b)Or try something crazy
   
   I decided to use the second option. Remember this is a crazy option and there is no guarantee that it will work for you. Maybe your drive is dead for good but if you are planning to throw it away why not give it a try.
   
   - Put the flash drive into the freezer:) I am not joking. Leave it in the freezer for couple of hours. And reconnect to your computer and see if it works. My flash drive came back to life with all the files after this step.
   
   Good Luck

Tips & Warnings

• It is an important precaution not to remove the flash drive while the data is being transferred. After you finish any data transfer always remove the flash drive by going to ‘Safely remove hardware. First, stop the flash drive and when it says it is safe to remove it, then remove it.
• Please try all these steps at YOUR OWN RISK. I take no responsibility for your actions. There is no guarantee that it will work and you may end up losing all your data or making your drive unusable.

[offgrid]

on 1/28/2009 Great information here. Thanks 5 * and Recommended.

[wizardofodds]

on 1/28/2009 Great article. Again, something my husband would do so I would not have to.. 5* :)))