Probably not left in ours modern society those who would not use USB drives, MP3 players and other devices that use flash memory. And surely everyone has encountered various problems regarding these media: “Device not recognized”, “No access”, “The system cannot finish formatting” and so on, etc.
In this article we will try to answer the main questions that owners of damaged USB drives face - flash drive repair and resuscitation. We will describe the most common user mistakes along with real advice and the sequence of actions in certain cases.
But first, it’s worth clarifying some nuances. Restoring and repairing media are different things, which means the approach and results will differ from each other. Repairing a flash drive with your own hands is fraught with data loss, but in the end you can get a fully functional device that will serve you for a long time. for a long time(at correct use), and the recovery process only includes the return of information without “surgical” intervention.
Symptoms of a damaged USB drive
- Not detected by the operating system.
- Message like: “the drive is copy protected.”
- The flash drive is “not visible” on more than 3 computers.
- The LED does not light up or blinks.
- Windows Explorer cannot display the content.
- The file system recognizes the device as a virtual drive or does not see it at all.
- The structure of directories and files is damaged (noted when attempting to format).
- Every second or third attempt to install the drive ends with the message: “unidentified USB device.”
The list of problems when flash drive repair is required is quite impressive, but the basic approach is quite universal and can generally be reduced to just two main steps.
If you are able to read similar drives on the same computer on which you are trying to work with a problematic flash drive, then the problem rests only with the media. There may be a problem with the USB connector, a damaged port (this is the reason Kingston flash drive repair always starts) or a faulty memory chip.
First of all, you should try reading your drive on another computer. Some types of flash drives are sensitive to USB connectors; they need a special receiver to work correctly. If the media is readable on other computers, then some “upgrade” of your USB port may be required.
If none of the options produces results, then you can try to read the device as clean as possible. operating system without installed drivers, software and other programs that may conflict with the flash drive. To do this, just start the system in safe mode, where all devices operate in their basic state. If in this case the flash drive is visible and the information is readable, then the problem should be looked for in third-party software, and not in the drive.
If even this method could not bring any results, then the problem is in the software part of the drive. Also, before repairing a USB flash drive, you need to understand that there are frequent cases of factory defects and the end of its service life, i.e. rewrite cycles are exhausted (for a standard drive this cycle is limited to approximately 100 thousand records). In these cases, you need to contact the manufacturer or simply change the flash drive.
DIY flash drive repair
In principle, all drives are created in the same key and are similar to each other. When resuscitating a flash drive, a complete flashing of the device and subsequent formatting may be required.
Determining VID&PID
The key to solving the USB drive is the controller, the thing is quite tricky and complex, but without this part the repair will become much more difficult. The main catch is that all flash drive manufacturers use different models and types of controllers, and there can be intertwined not only their own, but also other people’s developments along with some kind of know-how. Therefore, it is not always possible to determine exactly which controller is in front of you the first time.
You can go the barbaric route and gut the keychain, then you will know exactly what and “how” is in front of you, but this method is probably not to everyone’s liking. Therefore, it is better to resort to third-party software, since programs for repairing flash drives are not that uncommon. Let's look at several useful utilities that determine the flash drive controller (VID&PID).
ChipEasy
A simple, useful and intuitive program for resuscitating flash drives. The interface is extremely user-friendly and translated into Russian.
The utility is able to recognize the manufacturer along with the model of the USB storage device. Great for Transcend and Kingston brands. If you need to repair a flash drive yourself, then the first step is to master this product.
FDIE (Flash Drive Information Extractor)
The utility is “tailored” mainly for Silicon Power media. Will give all the necessary information about VID&PID, controller, model and type of USB drive. One of the main advantages of the program is the detail of the information: the flash drive repair utility will compile all the data, summarize it if desired, and display the result in a convenient list.
There is also a non-professional version of the translation into Russian in free access, although you can do without it - the program has a sparse and quite understandable interface.
CheckUDisk
The program is distinguished by its high speed of scanning information from the media for subsequent determination of VID&PID. Data granularity to determine the controller and media type is performed at a level similar to FDIE.
The program for repairing flash drives is simple, understandable and has a friendly interface similar to ChipEasy. If you wish, you can download an amateur version of the Russified product if you encounter any problems with the translation.
Flashing
After one of the above utilities can point you to the VID&PID, you need to find the desired program for flashing and subsequent formatting on the official websites of manufacturers. But here, too, not everything is so simple. Repairing a flash drive consists of two parts: firmware and format, but some types of devices are simply not designed for flashing, in which case you can simply hang the keychain with the flash drive on the wall and go to the store for a new one.
Rare types of flash drives
Little-known or extremely high-capacity USB drives are more problematic to recover than their standard counterparts. Repairing a flash drive of this type is often accompanied by hardware problems such as bad sectors. In such cases, the media is connected as a second HDD through a special recovery adapter, then the data recovery procedure is carried out using the methods described above.
Summarizing
High-quality and at the same time free repair of a flash drive is a very transparent procedure, which can not help you in all cases. If your device has valuable information or is expensive in itself, it makes sense to contact a specialized service center, where smart specialists will help you not only save information, but also give a second life to your flash drive. Otherwise, no one can guarantee you positive results, and you will act only at your own peril and risk.
Always remember simple rules storing information: copies and more copies. Buy two flash drives and reserve space on your hard drive for copies. The time spent on the backup procedure is not commensurate with the time spent on restoring and repairing any media.
Good day everyone!
You can argue, but flash drives have become one of the most (if not the most) popular storage media. It is not surprising that there are quite a lot of questions regarding them: especially important among them are the issues of recovery, formatting and testing.
In this article I will present the best (in my opinion) utilities for working with drives - that is, those tools that I have used myself many times. The information in the article will be updated and expanded from time to time.
The best programs for working with a flash drive
Important! First of all, if you have problems with a flash drive, I recommend visiting the official website of its manufacturer. The fact is that the official website may have specialized utilities for data recovery (and not only!), which will cope with the task much better.
For testing
Let's start with testing drives. Let's look at programs that will help determine some of the parameters of a USB drive.
H2testw
A very useful utility for determining the actual volume of any media. In addition to the storage capacity, it can test the actual speed of its operation (which some manufacturers like to overestimate for marketing purposes).
Check Flash
A free utility that can quickly check your flash drive for functionality, measure its real read and write speed, complete removal all the information from it (so that no utility can recover a single file from it!).
In addition, it is possible to edit information about partitions (if they exist on it), make backup copy and reanimate the image of an entire media partition!
The speed of the utility is quite high and it is unlikely that at least one competing program will do this job faster!
HD Speed
This is a very simple, but very convenient program for testing flash drives for read/write speed (information transfer). In addition to USB drives, the utility supports hard drives and optical drives.
The program does not require installation. Information is presented in a clear graphical representation. Supports Russian language. Works in all Windows versions: XP, 7, 8, 10.
CrystalDiskMark
One of best utilities to test the speed of information transfer. Supports various media: HDD (hard drives), SSD (newfangled solid state drives), USB flash drives, memory cards, etc.
The program supports the Russian language, although running a test in it is as easy as shelling pears - just select a carrier and press the start button (you can figure it out without knowledge of the great and mighty).
An example of the results can be seen in the screenshot above.
Flash Memory Toolkit
Flash Memory Toolkit - this program is a whole set of utilities for servicing flash drives.
Full set of functions:
- a detailed list of properties and information about the drive and USB devices;
- test to find errors when reading and writing information to the media;
- quick data clearing from the drive;
- search and recovery of information;
- backup of all files to media and the ability to restore from a backup copy;
- low-level testing of information transfer speed;
- measuring performance when working with small/large files.
FC-Test
Website: xbitlabs.com/articles/storage/display/fc-test.html
Benchmark for measurement real speed reading/writing hard drives, flash drives, memory cards, CD/DVD devices, etc. Its main feature and difference from all utilities of this kind is that it uses real data samples to work.
Of the minuses: the utility has not been updated for quite some time (problems with newfangled media types are possible).
Flashnul
This utility allows you to diagnose and test USB Flash drives. By the way, during this operation, errors and bugs will be corrected. Supported media: US and Flash drives, SD, MMC, MS, XD, MD, CompactFlash, etc.
List of operations performed:
- reading test - an operation will be carried out to determine the availability of each sector on the media;
- recording test - similar to the first function;
- information integrity test - the utility checks the integrity of all data on the media;
- saving a media image - saving everything that is on the media into a separate image file;
- Loading the image into the device is similar to the previous operation.
For formatting
HDD Low Level Format Tool
A program that has only one task - to format the media (by the way, hard drives are also supported HDDs, and solid state drives - SSD, and USB flash drives).
Despite such a “meager” set of capabilities, it is not for nothing that this utility is in first place in this article. The fact is that it allows you to “bring back” to life even those media that are no longer visible in any other program. If this utility sees your drive, try low-level formatting it (attention! all data will be deleted!) - there is a good chance that after this format, your flash drive will work as before: without failures and errors.
USB Disk Storage Format Tool
A program for formatting and creating bootable flash drives. Supported file systems: FAT, FAT32, NTFS. The utility does not require installation, supports USB port 2.0 (USB 3.0 - does not see. Note: this port is marked in blue).
Its main difference from the standard tool in Windows for formatting drives is the ability to “see” even those media that are not visible by standard OS tools. Otherwise, the program is quite simple and concise, I recommend using it to format all “problem” flash drives.
Format USB Or Flash Drive Software
The utility will help in cases where the standard formatting program in Windows refuses to “see” the media (or, for example, will generate errors during operation). Format USB Or Flash Drive Software can format media into the following file systems: NTFS, FAT32 and exFAT. There is a quick formatting option.
I would also like to note the simple interface: it is designed in a minimalist style, it’s easy to understand (the screenshot is shown above). In general, I recommend it!
SD Formatter
A simple utility for formatting various flash cards: SD/SDHC/SDXC.
The main difference from standard program, built into Windows - is that this utility formats the media in accordance with the type of flash card: SD/SDHC/SDXC. It is also worth noting the presence of the Russian language, a simple and understandable interface (the main program window is shown in the screenshot above).
Aomei Partition Assistant
Aomei Partition Assistant - great free (for home use) “combine”, which provides a huge number of functions and capabilities for working with hard drives and USB media.
The program supports the Russian language (but is still set to English by default), works in all popular Windows operating systems: XP, 7, 8, 10. The program, by the way, works according to its own unique algorithms (according to at least, according to the developers of this software), which allows it to “see” even “very problematic” media, be it a flash drive or HDD.
In general, a whole article would not be enough to describe all its properties! I recommend you try it, especially since Aomei Partition Assistant will save you not only from problems with USB drives, but also with other media.
Recovery programs
Important! If the programs presented below are not enough, I recommend that you familiarize yourself with a large collection of programs for data recovery from various types media (hard drives, flash drives, memory cards, etc.): .
If, when connecting the drive, it reports an error and asks you to format it, do not do it (it is possible that after this operation, it will be much more difficult to return the data)! In this case, I recommend reading this article:.
Recuva
One of the best free programs to recover files. Moreover, it supports not only USB drives, but also hard drives. Distinctive features: fast media scanning, quite high degree search for “remains” of files (i.e. the chances of returning a deleted file are quite high), simple interface, step by step wizard recovery (even complete beginners can handle it).
For those who will be scanning their flash drive for the first time, I recommend that you read the mini-instructions for recovering files in Recuva:
R Saver
Free* (for non-commercial use in the USSR) program for recovering information from hard drives, flash drives, memory cards and other media. The program supports all the most popular file systems: NTFS, FAT and exFAT.
The program sets the media scanning parameters independently (which is also another plus for beginners).
Program features:
- recovery of accidentally deleted files;
- possibility of reconstruction of damaged file systems;
- recovering files after formatting the media;
- data recovery using signatures.
EasyRecovery
One of best programs for data recovery, supports a wide variety of media types. The program works in all versions new Windows: 7, 8, 10 (32/64 bits), supports Russian language.
One cannot fail to note one of the most important advantages of the program - the high degree of detection of deleted files. Everything that can be “pulled out” from a disk or flash drive will be presented to you and offered to be restored.
Perhaps the only negative is that it is paid...
Important! About how to return deleted files in this program you can find in this article (see part 2):
R-STUDIO
One of the most popular programs for data recovery, both in our country and abroad. A large number of different media are supported: hard drives (HDD), solid-state drives (SSD), memory cards, flash drives, etc. The list of supported file systems is also amazing: NTFS, NTFS5, ReFS, FAT12/16/32, exFAT, etc.
The program will help in the following cases:
- accidentally deleting a file from the trash (this happens sometimes...);
- formatting the hard drive;
- virus attack;
- in the event of a computer power failure (especially important in Russia with its “reliable” power grids);
- in case of errors on the hard disk, if there is large number damaged sectors;
- if the structure of the hard drive is damaged (or changed).
In general, a universal harvester for all kinds of cases. The only negative is that the program is paid.
Remark! Step-by-step data recovery in R-Studio:
Popular USB flash drive manufacturers
It is, of course, unrealistic to collect all manufacturers in one table. But all the most popular ones are definitely present here :). On the manufacturer’s website you can often find not only service utilities for resuscitating or formatting a USB drive, but also utilities that greatly facilitate the work: for example, programs for archival copying, assistants for preparing bootable media, etc.
Note! If I have left anyone out, I suggest using the tips from the instructions for restoring the functionality of a USB drive: . The article describes in some detail how and what to do to “return” the flash drive to working condition.
This concludes the report. Good work and good luck everyone!
Data on a flash drive can be lost for many reasons, you can even accidentally delete it. It doesn't matter why you lost necessary files– in some cases they can be restored. To do this, you need to download USB Flash Drive Recovery for Windows 10. This is one of the most powerful utilities similar class. When analogues fail, this program restores files. It can even restore what was deleted relatively long ago.
Download USB Flash Drive Recovery to recover files
USB Flash Drive Recovery is a magical assistant that can truly restore what has been deleted. Reviews about USB Flash Drive Recovery are such that people literally idolize the utility. But there is nothing magical in the program; it works according to a simple algorithm. But you don't need to understand it, since all your interaction with the utility occurs through a convenient graphical interface. It's in Russian, and all the functions are so simple that you won't have to bother with recovering deleted files.How to recover a file deleted from a flash drive
To recover a file that you deleted from a flash drive, you need to download USB Flash Drive Recovery. This utility is installed on a computer, then the device on which you want to recover data is connected to the computer. Next, follow the onscreen instructions. You can recover any types of files, any size:- Music;
- Photo;
- Movies;
The utility works with flash drives that have been formatted in most popular formats. Even if you formatted the flash drive, the utility will still be able to recover some data. And if you don’t have problems with the flash drive yet, we recommend creating a backup copy of it. This way you won't have to restore anything. For quick and comfortable interaction, you can use
In this article, you will learn about programs that can recover data on a flash drive, as well as configure settings so that there are no problems with flash drives in the future.
It is possible to correct various errors flash drives by setting up drivers, connecting the flash drive to different ports, and so on. But if this no longer helps, then you need to apply more effective methods and use third-party programs.
I’ll say right away that using such programs to recover flash drives does not always solve, but rather aggravates the problem. Therefore, the choice is yours. This risk is yours and yours alone.
In the article on flash drive repair, we will talk about such popular flash drive manufacturers as Kingston, Adata, Silicon Power and Transcend.
Free programs for recovery and repair of flash drives
UtilityJetFlash Online Recovery forflash drivesTranscend
This utility was previously called JetFlash Recovery Tool, now JetFlash Online Recovery. This is the official utility.
Working with this utility is quite simple: connect the flash drive, run the program and then proceed as the flash drive recovery wizard tells us.
There are two options:
- You can fix the flash drive and save all the data on it.
- You can repair the flash drive and erase all data on it.
Depending on your luck, if the first option doesn’t help, then move on to the second.
Download the utility for free JetFlash Online Recovery
(downloads: 25269)
UtilityUSB Flash Drive Recovery forflash drivesSilicon Power
The utility is freely available on the manufacturer's official website. You can also download it from our website.
Silicon Power
(downloads: 20987)
Kingston flash drive and its repair
If you have a Kingston flash drive (quite common among users), then you can use the utility from the official website of the Kingston manufacturer.
Download free utility for flash drive Kingston
(downloads: 13552)
Now let's go through utilities and programs that are not a product of a specific manufacturer.
Program for data recovery from flash drive D-Soft Flash Doctor
The program is free. Reviews about it are very flattering, so it can help you recover data from a flash drive.
How can I determine which program is suitable for my flash drive?
It happens that a person does not know what kind of flash drive he has. Therefore, we suggest that you use a program that will determine the memory controller you are using - Chip Genius. The VID and PID parameters will be indicated there, they will be useful to you.
As a result, you will be given search results.
In the Chip Model column you will see which other flash drives, besides yours, use the same controller. The Utils column offers utilities for flash drive recovery. Next, look for the proposed program and use it.
In our world, almost everything breaks, and Silicon Power flash drives are no exception. The damage is very easy to notice. In some cases, some files begin to disappear from your storage device. Sometimes the drive simply ceases to be detected by the computer or any other device (it happens that it is detected by the computer, but not detected by the phone, or vice versa). Also, the memory card can be detected, but not opened, and so on.
In any case, it is necessary to restore the flash drive so that it can be used again. Unfortunately, in most cases you will not be able to recover any information and it will be permanently deleted. But after this, the USB drive can again be fully used and information can be written to it without fear that it will be lost somewhere. It is worth noting that removable media from Silicon Power very rarely last long after restoration; they still have to be replaced.
You can restore Silicon Power removable media using the programs that the company itself released. Besides this, there is something else software, which helps in this matter. We will analyze proven methods that have been tested by users from all over the world.
Method 1: Silicon Power Recover Tool
The first and most famous utility from Silicon Power. It has only one purpose - to fix damaged flash drives. Silicon Power Recover Tool works with removable media with Innostor IS903, IS902 and IS902E, IS916EN, and IS9162 series controllers. Its use is extremely simple and looks like this:
Method 2: SP ToolBox
The second proprietary program, which includes as many as 7 instruments. We only need two of them. To use Silicon Power ToolBox to recover your media, do the following:
The program can now be closed.
Method 3: SP USB Flash Drive Recovery Software
The third program from the manufacturer, which recovers flash drives from Silicon Power with great success. In fact, it performs the same process that users usually do using the iFlash service. Read about what it is and how to use it in the lesson on restoring Kingston flash drives.
Meaning of use of this service is to find the right program and use it to restore the flash drive. The search is carried out using parameters such as VID and PID. So, USB Flash Drive Recovery independently determines these parameters and finds the required program on Silicon Power servers. Its usage looks like this:
Using this tool also does not make it possible to save the data contained in the drive's memory.
Method 4: SMI MPTool
This program works with Silicon Motion controllers, which are installed in most Silicon Power flash drives. SMI MPTool differs in that it performs low-level recovery of damaged media. You can use it as follows:
- program and run it from the archive.
- Click on the button Scan USB" to start scanning your computer for a suitable flash drive. After this, your media should appear on one of the ports (column " Items"on the left). Click on it in this column to highlight it. Actually, if nothing happens, it means that the program is not suitable for your carrier.
- Next, click the “ Debug" If a window appears asking you to enter a password, enter the number 320.
- Now click the button Start" and wait for the restoration to complete.
In some cases, it helps if you do the above steps several times. In any case, it's worth a try. But, again, don’t expect data to be saved.
Method 5: Recuva File Recovery
Finally, we have reached a method that allows us to restore at least some of the damaged information. Only then will it be possible to restore the functionality of the device itself using one of the utilities described above. Recuva File Recovery is not SP's own development, but for some reason it is owned by this company. It is worth saying that this is not the same program that is familiar to all of us. All this only means that Recuva will be the most effective in working with flash drives from Silicon Power.
To take advantage of its capabilities, read the lesson on our website.
Only when you choose where to scan for deleted or damaged files, select the option “ On my media card"(this is step 2). If the card is not detected or no files are found on it, start the whole process again. Only now select the option “ In a specific location" and specify your removable media according to its letter. By the way, you can find it out if you go to “ My computer"(or simply " Computer», « This computer" - it all depends on the version of Windows). 
Method 6: Flash Drive Recovery
It is too universal program, which is suitable for most modern models of removable storage media. Flash Drive Recovery is not developed by Silicon Power and is not listed among the recommended utilities on the manufacturer's website. But, judging by user reviews, it is extremely effective in working with flash drives from this manufacturer. Its usage looks like this:
In addition to Recuva File Recovery and Flash Drive Recovery, you can use TestDisk, R.saver and other utilities to recover data from damaged media. The most effective such programs are listed on our website.
After the recovery of lost data has been completed, use one of the above utilities to restore the functionality of the entire drive. You can also use the standard Windows tool to check disks and fix errors. How to do this is shown in the lesson on restoring Transcend flash drives (method 6).
Finally, you can format your removable media using other programs or the same standard Windows tool. As for the latter, you need to do the following:
- In the window " Computer» (« My computer», « This computer") right-click on your flash drive. In the drop-down menu, select “ Format…».
- When the formatting window opens, click on the " Begin" If it doesn’t help, start the process again, but uncheck the box next to “ Quick…».
Also try using other disk formatting programs. The best of them are listed on our website. And if this doesn’t help, we won’t recommend anything other than buying a new media.
