How to Fix a Memory Stick

Sony Memory Sticks are removable flash media used for storing data from phones, cameras, and even the PSP game system. While flash memory cards are convenient, they have a tendency to become corrupted if they are used continuously over a long period of time. When the Memory Stick is corrupted you will be unable to open or modify any of the data on the card. Memory Sticks can be repaired by either reformatting the card back or using repair software.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Memory card repair software
• Memory card reader

1. Insert the Memory Stick into the appropriate slot on your computer's memory card reader, and access the card with your computer.

2. Try opening and modifying multiple files on the Memory Stick to ensure that the problem does not lie with only a single corrupted file. Close the window if all of the files are not working properly.

3. Navigate to one of the Resource links that offers a Memory Stick repair program. Download and install a program such as "Memory Stick Data Recovery" or "Memory Card Repair" if you don't already have a similar program on your computer.

4. Within the repair program, click the "Browse" or "Upload" button. Scroll through the list of available devices and select the drive letter for the Memory Stick. Click "OK."

5. Click the "Output" option. Click the drive letter for the Memory Stick if you want the repaired files to be saved back onto the memory card, or choose a folder on your hard drive if the files should be saved to your computer.

6. Click "Start" and wait for the program to attempt to repair the Memory Stick and recover the corrupted files. Open one of the files on the memory card to see if the repair process was successful.

7. Exit the recovery program if the Memory Stick is still not functioning properly. In the Windows Start menu, navigate to "My Computer."

8. Locate the Memory Stick's drive letter. Right-click the drive letter and choose "Format." Click "Start" to format the Memory Stick back to its factory settings.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also format the Memory Stick directly from your PSP if you don't have a card reader. Push the "Home" button and select "Settings." Select "System Settings" and then choose "Format Memory Stick."
• Not all computers include a built-in card reader. You can acquire an external card reader through computer parts or electronics stores and attach it to a USB port on your computer.
• When you format the Memory Stick all of the data it contained will be permanently deleted.

References

• Formatting Memory Sticks
• Formatting Memory Stick With PSP
• Using Memory Card Repair Software

Resources

• Memory Stick Data Recovery Software
• Memory Card Repair Software