Inaccessible USB drive
LN59470
-
Anonymous user -
Anonymous user -
Good evening, I just spent 2 hours non-stop reading discussions, manipulating things, and nothing works - The USB key is detected by the computer, its little light turns on but the computer cannot read it (please insert a disk). I tried changing the drive letter, formatting it (even through the control panel: no media available for this disk), checking it with PCprotect, short-circuiting it with a metal blade and NOTHING CHANGED...
I really want to reuse this key which is only a few months old - this led me to this point: overnight, the key became unreadable
What happened to it? It hasn't moved from its USB port
What operating system am I using? WINDOWS 8.1
Thanks to anyone who can help me :)
I really want to reuse this key which is only a few months old - this led me to this point: overnight, the key became unreadable
What happened to it? It hasn't moved from its USB port
What operating system am I using? WINDOWS 8.1
Thanks to anyone who can help me :)
3 answers
LN59470
Posted messages
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Status
Member
Hello and thank you for your help - However, I don't see how to post my screenshot on this post.
Hello LN59470,
A look here https://www.commentcamarche.net/infos/25913-ccm-inserer-une-image-dans-une-discussion/ will provide you with the answer :)
Without knowing the details of Disk Management (I assume the drive has switched to RAW), it would be impossible to make any valid suggestions. For this reason, and as a first step (if the drive is physically detected by the PC), I'm sending you an article that discusses some alternative methods to recover data: https://forums.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich-37640569-recuperer-des-donnees-sur-disque-dur-et-cle-usb, just in case.
By the way, when you say that the USB drive is unreadable, does that mean it remains inaccessible from Computer (due to an error message appearing when you try to access it) or does it not even show up there?
Let us know what happens next, please :)
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If you found the answer to your question, feel free to click on Resolved to help other members with the same issue ;)
A look here https://www.commentcamarche.net/infos/25913-ccm-inserer-une-image-dans-une-discussion/ will provide you with the answer :)
Without knowing the details of Disk Management (I assume the drive has switched to RAW), it would be impossible to make any valid suggestions. For this reason, and as a first step (if the drive is physically detected by the PC), I'm sending you an article that discusses some alternative methods to recover data: https://forums.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich-37640569-recuperer-des-donnees-sur-disque-dur-et-cle-usb, just in case.
By the way, when you say that the USB drive is unreadable, does that mean it remains inaccessible from Computer (due to an error message appearing when you try to access it) or does it not even show up there?
Let us know what happens next, please :)
--
-----
If you found the answer to your question, feel free to click on Resolved to help other members with the same issue ;)
Thank you for the links - I don’t have the image icon so unfortunately I can't provide a screenshot of the disk management
Indeed, when I insert the USB stick, the detection sound is emitted, the red light stays on - In the devices and drives, I click to open it, and a message appears asking me to insert a disk ...
I tried the data recovery software but it asks me to insert a disk into the drive: the USB stick is there with its red light on though.
Indeed, when I insert the USB stick, the detection sound is emitted, the red light stays on - In the devices and drives, I click to open it, and a message appears asking me to insert a disk ...
I tried the data recovery software but it asks me to insert a disk into the drive: the USB stick is there with its red light on though.
To take a simple screenshot, just press the print screen key on the keyboard, open Paint, paste, and save as, it’s not more complicated than that.
Hello,
A° test n°1
Plug into another USB PORT -
B° test n°2
Plug into another PC
C° test n° 3 use
D° test n°4 plug in another removable drive into the same port
check if it’s a USB hub problem with the PC
USB Hub Driver Update Software?
1° PC not powered on, do not plug in the targeted USB key
2° Turn on the PC, then reach the desktop.
Metro display press the Windows key and the D key to switch to Desktop display
3° Plug in the USB key watch for AUTORUN you may have disabled AUTORUN for example to prevent a virus from spreading in your registry from a removable drive. -> you need to fiddle with a special file, so I’ll abandon this lead.
4° After plugging in the USB key, you will need to access ADMINISTRATOR mode to use DISKPART
Press the
5° type the syntax DISKPART
C:\Windows\system32>
wait a few seconds
6° type this after ->DISKPART>
DISKPART will display all the volumes, you just need to find the removable drive and check its size " you know you have a key example of 16 GB DISKPART will display it
Be careful to check especially under FS -> its format if you have the format
Example
C: System
D: CD/DVD ROM drive
E: USB removable drive
7° I’m out of luck USB its format RAW
it uses the letter E
I’m still on D..... with a blinking dash DISKPART>_ I do not close the command prompt I close D.......
DISKPART>
Exiting DiskPart...
8° USB is on E
CHECK DISK -> disk checkup -< diagnose the disk sectors
bad sectors? CHECK DISK Windows System will attempt to restore them
type the syntax C:\Windows\system32>
between chkdsk and /r a space
between /r and e: a space
the system will start a scan on the selected device and announce the color
you will have plenty of info
Windows has checked the file system without finding any problems.
Stronger than CHECK DISK internal command use the external mode a software like TEST DISK
PS:
Unknown USB key under DISKPART the key really has a problem
Faulty key?
Windows update?
Fiddling Administrator?
no idea then use test N°2 -> the key is still not recognized on another station so YES USB deterioration
Dropping the key
Damaged key unplugged without going through the STORAGE icon The USB key is detected by the computer, its small light is on why does the light blink or turn on? Something is powering it isn’t it so a current even if it’s weak is flowing between PC and removable drive.
Unplugging a removable drive directly without going through its beloved desktop "icon" STORAGE DEVICE magic formula "Eject" yes it can damage a removable drive.
Very rare but it can happen ->
USB key really doesn’t like magnetic fields for example placing a USB key very close to a H.P Marshall :) or Sound BAR.
A° test n°1
Plug into another USB PORT -
B° test n°2
Plug into another PC
C° test n° 3 use
DISKPART
D° test n°4 plug in another removable drive into the same port
check if it’s a USB hub problem with the PC
USB Hub Driver Update Software?
1° PC not powered on, do not plug in the targeted USB key
2° Turn on the PC, then reach the desktop.
Metro display press the Windows key and the D key to switch to Desktop display
3° Plug in the USB key watch for AUTORUN you may have disabled AUTORUN for example to prevent a virus from spreading in your registry from a removable drive. -> you need to fiddle with a special file, so I’ll abandon this lead.
4° After plugging in the USB key, you will need to access ADMINISTRATOR mode to use DISKPART
Press the
Windowskey and the
Xkey, choose Command Prompt (Admin)
Microsoft Windows [version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) ...... Microsoft Corporation.
C:\Windows\system32>
5° type the syntax DISKPART
C:\Windows\system32>
diskpartthen press ENTER
wait a few seconds
Microsoft DiskPart version 6.1.7601
Copyright (C) ....... Microsoft Corporation.
On the computer: .....
6° type this after ->DISKPART>
list volumepress ENTER
DISKPART will display all the volumes, you just need to find the removable drive and check its size " you know you have a key example of 16 GB DISKPART will display it
Be careful to check especially under FS -> its format if you have the format
RAWformat not recognized by Windows System it prefers FAT/NTFS
Example
C: System
D: CD/DVD ROM drive
E: USB removable drive
7° I’m out of luck USB its format RAW
it uses the letter E
I’m still on D..... with a blinking dash DISKPART>_ I do not close the command prompt I close D.......
DISKPART>
exitthen press ENTER
Exiting DiskPart...
8° USB is on E
CHECK DISK -> disk checkup -< diagnose the disk sectors
bad sectors? CHECK DISK Windows System will attempt to restore them
type the syntax C:\Windows\system32>
chkdsk /r e:press ENTER
between chkdsk and /r a space
between /r and e: a space
the system will start a scan on the selected device and announce the color
you will have plenty of info
Windows has checked the file system without finding any problems.
Stronger than CHECK DISK internal command use the external mode a software like TEST DISK
PS:
Unknown USB key under DISKPART the key really has a problem
Faulty key?
Windows update?
Fiddling Administrator?
no idea then use test N°2 -> the key is still not recognized on another station so YES USB deterioration
Dropping the key
Damaged key unplugged without going through the STORAGE icon The USB key is detected by the computer, its small light is on why does the light blink or turn on? Something is powering it isn’t it so a current even if it’s weak is flowing between PC and removable drive.
Unplugging a removable drive directly without going through its beloved desktop "icon" STORAGE DEVICE magic formula "Eject" yes it can damage a removable drive.
Very rare but it can happen ->
USB key really doesn’t like magnetic fields for example placing a USB key very close to a H.P Marshall :) or Sound BAR.
Hello FISQ, and thank you very much for your attention - I followed your procedure and here are the results:
- Test on another USB port = NO RESPONSE
- Plugged into another PC = NO RESPONSE
- Another drive on the same USB port = DRIVE DETECTED
- Used Diskpart with command prompt (admin) = Drive E - Removable Type - Size 0 - Media Status 0
chkdsk is not recognized as an internal or external command, an executable program or a batch file.
I don't want to lose my drive but I'm honestly starting to lose hope :S
- Test on another USB port = NO RESPONSE
- Plugged into another PC = NO RESPONSE
- Another drive on the same USB port = DRIVE DETECTED
- Used Diskpart with command prompt (admin) = Drive E - Removable Type - Size 0 - Media Status 0
chkdsk is not recognized as an internal or external command, an executable program or a batch file.
I don't want to lose my drive but I'm honestly starting to lose hope :S
You didn't specify its format using diskpart!
Okay, restart, there's an error, sorry
I had copied and pasted from another post. It's not chksdk but chkdsk that will be recognized by the system.
So start over from scratch, yes, execute diskpart then exit diskpart.
Here's the correct syntax
C:\Windows\system32>chkdsk /r e:
Respect the space in the syntax
Press Enter, double-check the drive letter; if your USB stick is F, then it will be f:
I repeat, RAW format is not recognized by Windows
FAT/NTFS will be recognized.
Check disk will attempt to restore damaged sectors; sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
Check disk will notify you with a report after the process.
You're welcome!
Okay, restart, there's an error, sorry
I had copied and pasted from another post. It's not chksdk but chkdsk that will be recognized by the system.
So start over from scratch, yes, execute diskpart then exit diskpart.
Here's the correct syntax
C:\Windows\system32>chkdsk /r e:
Respect the space in the syntax
Press Enter, double-check the drive letter; if your USB stick is F, then it will be f:
I repeat, RAW format is not recognized by Windows
FAT/NTFS will be recognized.
Check disk will attempt to restore damaged sectors; sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
Check disk will notify you with a report after the process.
You're welcome!
It hasn't moved from its port!
So, does it stay plugged in all the time?
Use a removable drive only to import/export and then eject it from the toolbar icon Storage device.
We can rule out Windows System & USB Hub from your machine.
Short-circuiting it with a metal blade is not the best of
solutions.
If it's not a shock or hardware defect
then I suppose it's a micro
electrical shock.
I'm also ruling out the security of the drive.
Have you tried using the TestDisk software?
So, does it stay plugged in all the time?
Use a removable drive only to import/export and then eject it from the toolbar icon Storage device.
We can rule out Windows System & USB Hub from your machine.
Short-circuiting it with a metal blade is not the best of
solutions.
If it's not a shock or hardware defect
then I suppose it's a micro
electrical shock.
I'm also ruling out the security of the drive.
Have you tried using the TestDisk software?