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I would like to ask if you know how to fix a corrupted USB? I've tried the diskpart command but it didn't work. The media is write protected.

Do you have any idea that is much better? I need to fix it because I have important files in my flash drive. I really need to retrieve it.

I saw that the file system is seen as RAW and is unaccessible. I tried error checking, but it requires you to format it. I tried data recovery software but all files come out corrupted. My USB is Imation 4GB. Any suggestions?

Renan
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Erico Yan
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9 Answers9

11

You can try TestDisk (free, cross-platform, and open source) - it works on almost all drives on a system, regardless of whether or not the drive is internal or external. You can use TestDisk to rewrite any partition tables found on the drive - it can even find corrupted or missing partitions and then repair the partition table.

Alternatively, you can also use TestDisk to simply recover the files without repairing the partition table (if you just want to format and start from scratch). TestDisk can also overwrite/recover the MBR or boot sector if that's corrupted as well. I've had success using it to copy files off of corrupted partitons/drives.

Breakthrough
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I encountered the same issue just a few minutes ago. My USB flash drive was working fine at home then suddenly it was not recognized by any computers in the office. When attempting to access it, I always get the prompt to reformat.

To resolve the issue, I click "Yes" on the do you want to format prompt then closed the next window (I did not click on the START button to start the format process). Received an error stating that Windows cannot format the drive. Unplugged the drive from the USB port then plugged it again.

Oliver Salzburg
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rgr
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diskpart is, in my experience, unreliable sometimes. It would show some filesystems as RAW when actually they are just not recognized, either because diskpart cannot do it, or because it didn't work, for some reason.

I suggets trying GParted. You can get it as a live-CD (or live-USB) and see if it detects your USB filesystem better.

Silver Quettier
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On Windows, I just tried ZAR (Zero Assumption Recovery) with its free "Image Recovery" function.

All my files have been recovered, even those deleted.

It help very much but some files can't be recovered That's what I discovered when i use demo version

Community
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jkf2
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GParted is one of my favorites....Found as an iso itseld, also part of the Parted Magic cd...

Disk Genius has also worked for me in the past for somewhat corrypt partion tables (fixed disks and usb flash drives).

DeemV
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Most probably your USB device's memory unit is broken or there is problem in connection between flash memory controller IC and flash memory IC.

Operating system recognizes it as USB memory unit. This means that USB interface IC (memory controller) is working. However, operating system does not get any information about USB device's memory (capacity, partitions, any bits from flash memory).

One thing you could do is taking apart you USB device and try to examine if there is any burn marks (usually small grey or white dots/circles in IC surface). Also look for bad copper wires and for bad connections between wires and components.

If memory IC (usually biggest IC in board) in board looks okay you could try to resolder it or change it to another board. Look from google about soldering surface mounted ICs if you want to try it.

Sampo Sarrala
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Try chkdsk (from within a Windows system).

Open a command prompt with administrative rights and type: chkdsk p:\ /F where p stands for the according volume letter. /F stands for the option to repair found errors.

slhck
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GNU
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Disk Drill did a decent job for me of detecting and extracting "recoverable" files. There is a limit of 500MB in the free version, but you can easily prune unwanted files to get within their limit [or upgrade to Pro - it is a good idea to support developers who create tools you find useful].

As a general rule, avoid using removable drives for business or personally critical files. And take regular backups of important files. It is time-consuming to do, but can usually be automated or started while you do something else. And when the inevitable disk failure does happen, those backups can turn into a lifesaver.

AlainD
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I have the same problems and have tried so many methods but finally this one is working. Use this software to low-level format the USB and it will remove write-protected.

It's called, "HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool", and the main website is here.

Screenshot

ss of tool

It's free for personal use (speed is capped at 180 GB per hour which is 50 MB/s).

slm
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Bill
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