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USB flash drive in water???

Titipapounet Posted messages 2190 Status Member -  
VDebomame Posted messages 4 Status Member -
Hello,

I read something on the Web, but I didn't dare!

My USB drive is no longer recognized, I managed to recover some docs with PC Inspector File Recovery, but not the most important ones.

Apparently, putting the drive in water, letting it dry, could work, or also putting it in the freezer.

Has anyone ever tried this? Or is it a joke?

Thank you for coming to my rescue
Configuration: Windows XP Internet Explorer 6.0

8 answers

Answer 1 / 8
Claude Lachance Posted messages 33456 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   1 035
 
Hello Titipapounet
It's a big mistake this story about the wet key!
And don't do a clear CMOS because your USB key is not recognized (that's just as strange).
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Titipapounet Posted messages 2190 Status Member 50
 
I suspected it a little, that's why I didn't do it, by the way they sell waterproof keys now, it's probably not for nothing!
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Titipapounet Posted messages 2190 Status Member 50
 
Here, I tried the freezer: it didn't work!

The only software that was able to recover some information for me (but not the right ones, of course!) is: PC Inspector File Recovery.
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okdoee
 
You can put memory in the freezer, but the one used in USBs is useless; moreover, it needs to be protected against humidity, and it's meant for more professional purposes.

Otherwise, yes, the software should logically be able to recover information from a USB stick that has been submerged in water; of course, the stick must be recognized on your PC, and it must work (so it shouldn't be wet...)

So don't speak too soon.
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Urf
 
5 years later, thank you for your comment, I think it was essential to bring up the topic for this...
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Claude Lachance Posted messages 33456 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   1 035
 
Hello

Since we brought up the issue...

Well! My knowledge was lesser back then than it is now, but in both cases, the risks of permanently damaging your key are enormous and this should only be done as a last resort. It's always best to try software manipulations first. I've seen the freezer trick work: never the wet key, but I imagine the principle is the same. The success rate must be about the same as hitting your key with a hammer. Sometimes, by moving things around, it can work again! ;-)

First, never write on a damaged key: it can permanently alter your data.

When a key is not recognized, ideally, you should find a friend with a Linux partition or simply use a Linux Live CD: half the time, you can manage to identify and recover your files (just drag them onto your hard drive). Otherwise, recovery software can do a good job: there's a long list --- here--- and you often need to use several before achieving a result. If that doesn't work, you can still recover a boot sector from a similar healthy key (using a tool like HDHacker) and inject it into the damaged key (some of the mentioned software can do this job).

Here, we probably formatted too early if the key was recognized. You need to use several software tools before you get there. If you're in a hurry to recover your key, image it first (if possible) with a tool like USB ImageTool that an experienced individual can then use to possibly recover the data. But as a last resort, reformatting is often all that is left to do. A small tool like this one can be useful in these circumstances (depending on the OS you have).

Since the key was recognized, physical maneuvers were completely unnecessary here.

And hello charming Titipapounet, if you pass by here again.
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