Damaged blocks on the USB stick. Recover SD cards and USB flash drives in Windows environment. Recovery using built-in Windows utilities

Choosing the best programs for recovering flash drives. We will tell you how to restore a usb flash drive, reanimate it using free utilities.

Flash drive - a small device for storing information (documents, music, videos, files), convenient for carrying and connecting to a USB port, removing from a computer, laptop. Contains a controller and special chips that store information inside the microcircuits.

Sometimes we copy files and forget about them, and when we remember, we find that valuable files are either erased or deleted irrevocably. Either the device is broken, you formatted the partitions. What to do, often the digital flash drive (most often the controller in it) breaks down, generates errors, the flash drive does not open on the PC - not even a month will pass. One day the flash drive may need to be restored. The reason that maybe:

  • incorrect, careless operation of the flash drive
  • incorrect formatting of the storage medium
  • a low-quality flash drive bought on the market or cheaply from a Chinese (probably by mistake)
  • physical or software failure of the flash drive (the most likely reason)
  • also, an incorrectly removed USB flash drive from a computer or laptop can serve as a reason for inoperability. This happens when an impatient user literally rips the flash drive out of the USB socket while copying or transferring files.

There are many reasons when it is necessary to restore a flash drive that does not open on the computer or is recognized with read errors. Fortunately, to date, specialists from service centers will help you return valuable files and restore the device's functionality without problems and errors. Recovery software will return files safe and sound, or at least partially reanimate data on a usb flash drive. The cost of the flash recovery procedure is not so little money, which makes you think about self-recovery of a usb flash drive. Alas, free utilities are not always useful.

For a flash drive, sd memory cards, all the symptoms and consequences of deleting digital information are equally characteristic. This can be an accidental erasure, unconscious or deliberate deletion of files from a USB drive, damage to the structure, physical or mechanical damage to the controller or memory chips ... One way or another, but restoring a flash drive and sd card is more than an urgent task for PC owners. Therefore, first of all, read the contents of this section.

The flash drive does not open: we study the symptoms of damage

In the section on recovery, we will talk about the main problems associated with recovering information on flash and secure digital storage. As a rule, this is due to hardware or software damage to the flash drive - if it does not come off or is not recognized correctly. Sometimes the memory wears out, sometimes the controller fails. And the usb controller drivers have nothing to do with it. In some cases, you can solve the problem yourself and, as a result, save files on a flash card or repair a chip, a device, ignoring reading errors on the computer. Here are just some of the symptoms that indicate a drive failure:

  • The PC does not see the USB flash drive in the list of readable devices
  • the flash drive is not displayed when connected to a laptop or computer (OS does not matter)
  • the flash drive is not readable: although the files can be seen on the usb drive

Help with the contents of the "Flash Recovery" section

  • A small guide related to the question of how - finding the reasons why the card does not work or the PC does not see the USB flash drive on a par with other disks (the device is not recognized, reads with problems, requires formatting, freezes, gives an error when copying to the card, etc.) flash -storage device. Diagnostics of malfunctions is important in such situations, because, without identifying the disease, it is impossible to cure the patient, or even easily ruin his life, wielding the wrong tools, using the wrong methods and programs that can revive the drive. In this article, we analyze the causes of damage and possible symptoms that lead to the need to recover a flash disk, secure digital, controller, memory chip and flash card.
  • We try (using the instructions and utilities posted on the site) and at the same time qualitatively - how to solve problems with our own hands - fix a breakdown on the sd card, reanimate the controller, format it correctly, solder a loose contact or memory chip, scan information and process bad sectors on flash "ke, sections with reading errors. True, the described methods require a certain skill and experience in using these tools.
  • if it does not open on the computer or is not displayed correctly. What is "VID & PID", how does this abbreviation stand for and what to do when the device is not recognized or opened. Explanation of terminology, without which it is difficult to imagine recovery for flash drive, data and digital information on it.
  • - testing of 5 solid programs, each of which has remarkable peculiarities when working with memory or a drive chip.

Recovery of a usb flash drive and memory card. Formatting utilities

One of the best ways to reanimate a Jetflash flash card is to reformat it again, at a low level. As a rule, such measures are taken when the flash drive cannot be read. If possible, you should ask the memory manufacturer (say, A Data, Seagate, Transcend SD, Datatraveler, etc.) if they have proprietary utilities or fresh drivers for reconstruction. Scroll through this section for help and you will see several articles on the topic of low-level drive formatting. Fortunately, Windows 7 and above provide tools for formatting flash devices without using third-party computer applications. One of these programs for a flash drive is the HP USB Disk Storege Format Tool.

Diagnostic formatting of a flash card in the HP USB Disk Storege Format flash drive recovery software

Utility for recovering a USB flash drive HDD Low Level Format Tool

Many people know that the HDD Regenerator program is used to help revitalize hard drives (HDD), but not many people know that it is also suitable for such a device as a flash drive. The essence of the program is the detection of bad bad sectors on the device with the subsequent processing of the information received, depending on the controller and memory model, at a low access level via usb. The result is a working device that can copy files without read and write errors. This greatly contributes to the recovery of flash drives if the computer does not see them. The HDD Regenerator program is supplied with instructions for recovery, in addition, on the recovery site you can find a guide on using the utility and correct formatting (see through the search). You can download the USB flash drive recovery program directly from the link on the HDD Regenerator overview page "a.


We open and diagnose a problematic USB flash drive in the HDD Low Level Format program

By the way, in other sections on the Softdroid website you will find other programs for recovering flash drives (for example, Flash Recovery or JetFlash Recovery Tool), but we advise you to first study all the information collected in this section. We hope that after the measures taken, the computer will see your USB flash drive.

Why don't you indicate the cost of the product before downloading the USB recovery program and installing it?

Answer... You can download all the mentioned programs for flash drive recovery on the official website. Only reviews are published on Softdroid - we have no physical ability to update information on the cost of the products presented. When you download the trial version of the program, it is free. Next, see the information about the cost from the developer, or at the end of the trial period, you will receive a notification.

Ask us a question about flash drive recovery

Site specialists will help you recover data. You ask a question - we answer it for free (you will receive an answer by mail).

The question may not be related to file recovery. The main requirement is to describe the problem in detail, formulate it so that you do not have to decipher your message.

Flash Drive Information Extractor - a program for obtaining information and diagnostics of a usb flash drive

Information about the flash drive (model, manufacturer, firmware version) helps to better understand the device, its features. In turn, this allows you to diagnose, restore files or fix the device.

How to Recover Deleted Files from USB Flash Drive: Step by Step Guide

One of the painful problems associated with deleting files relates to a flash drive. Let's talk about how to recover deleted files from a flash drive using Unformat. What free software to install on a computer, what program, besides Unformat, is effective when working with a USB flash drive. The methods described below will be relevant for usb drives, memory cards, sd cards of digital cameras in the Windows environment. We will try to help you even if the situation is difficult.

What to do if the computer does not see the USB stick? We solve problems and fix errors

If the file system of the memory card / usb flash drive is incompatible with the computer OS, the contents of this memory card will not be displayed when connected to a PC. Accordingly, you will not be able to work with the device until you correct the format. In addition, there are a number of other reasons due to which the computer does not display a usb flash drive (sd card) as a separate drive in Explorer.

How to restore a USB flash drive with your own hands: instructions for owners of flash drives

In this article I want to tell you how to recover a USB flash drive: about all the available methods for recovering damaged, non-working, faulty, faulty USB drives. I offer the most complete instruction, which includes all available methods, as well as programs that optimize flash drive recovery.

Do-it-yourself USB flash drive repair: fixing hardware and software problems

What if the computer does not see the USB flash drive? We agree: the question is painful and often asked. Another of the popular questions that the owners of a flash drive face is repair as a result of a breakdown. The USB-drive has its own peculiarities of repairing the controller, memory, failed: in some cases, the storage device is not detected by the PC. What if the flash drive is not detected on any computer? This manual describes an operation to reanimate an "invisible" flash drive for correct recognition on a computer.

Review of programs to restore the performance of a usb flash drive

Errors in the operation of USB flash drives are not common. Almost all of them boil down to the inability to read or write the necessary information into the device's memory due to software damage.

Specialized programs provided by device manufacturers will help you to fix the problem and restore the memory card.

To restore the work of noname flash drives and those that do not have their own recovery software, the built-in Chkdsk and formatting system are suitable.

Choosing the best program to recover deleted files from a usb flash drive

Damaged your portable USB stick or memory card? These best-of-breed programs will help you save and recover information, and here you will find out what is the essence of data recovery from a USB flash drive. Apps include Undelete 360, CardRecovery, PhotoRec, Recuva Professional and other candidates. You will also learn how to reanimate the USB flash drive of each of the programs.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free 11 - free data recovery software

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard supports a variety of SSD data deletion scenarios. We will run the Recovery Wizard and explain step by step how recovery is performed. There are limitations in the free version of Easeus Data Recovery Wizard Free, let's tell you more about them. With the help of the EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, you can recover files, deleted information from a formatted disk, laptop or removable devices like a USB flash drive or SD card for free.

Where to download PhotoRec for free (for Windows)

The free PhotoRec program is designed to recover multimedia data on HDD, USB sticks, SD cards and other storage devices. Review of PhotoRec recovery functions, scan options. Where to download PhotoRec for Windows and other OS.

Step by step instructions for recovery of USB flash drives in which I will try to answer the question in an accessible language How to recover a USB flash drive independently and effortlessly.

It happens that you help a person, and then he rasryndit to everyone that you are so good and there are already crowds of thirsty people for help. This is approximately how it turned out when I restored several flash drives colleagues.

Now the people carry not only their own flash drives, but also flash drives their friends, acquaintances and relatives. Well, at least someone else dragged a bottle of beer or a cookie - figurines.

It’s not difficult for me to help, but when I suggest you learn how to do all this yourself, you refuse. Next time I just sew them off. If you do not want to study, walk by.

I finish with the lyrics and go directly to the topic of the post ..

If your flash drive stopped be defined like a disk does not want formatted, does not allow the information to be recorded or something else happened to it, BUT it has no mechanical damage, then you should know that all is not lost. Most likely bug controller and you have to tinker with it a little. This procedure takes about 5 minutes.

I must say right away that there is no universal programs for recovery of all varieties flash drives... You will need to find exactly the one that can work with the controller of your flash drives.

First, we need to define VID and PID non-working flash drives.

Determine VID and PID for flash drive recovery

Stick uSB flash drive into your computer and run device Manager. StartExecute - mmc devmgmt.msc.


Then go to the section USB Universal Serial Bus Controllers.


Find your own in the list uSB flash drive... Usually, everyone flash drives have a name USB storage device.


Press the right key on the device and open Properties.

Go to the tab Intelligence.

In the drop-down list, select the item Instance code devices or Equipment IDs.

In this window we see PID and VID.

Search for a program to recover a flash drive

We go to the website FlashBoot.ru and enter the received VID and PID.


Click on the button Search.

In the results, we look for our manufacturer and model of the flash drive. I have this Kingston DataTraveler 2.0.


The right column will contain the name of the program we need or a link to it.

All. Now search Google for the program by name or download from the specified link. Launch and follow the instructions. Usually, in such programs for recovery there is only one button, so you shouldn't have any questions.

That's all!

If you have any questions - ask in the comments.

Cure for the Flash Drive! (software repair of BAD blocks)

Good day!
The reason for writing this article is my two Kingston sticks.
One of them was not used for quite a long time, and when I decided to use it, it turned out that it was not possible to write data to it! Using the HD Tune 3.5 utility, it was found out that a decent part of the surface is marked as unreadable! Attempts to format using Windows did not lead to anything, due to the fact that when formatting a USB flash drive, only service information is created. Low-level formatting was required, a utility for this was found without problems using Google. The format was produced and it worked.
A few days ago, when trying to copy sources from a second flash drive, a message was issued that it was impossible to copy such files. Moreover, you could delete these files! The first thought is that BAD blocks have appeared.
Checking the flash drive with HD Tune 3.5 did not reveal any BAD s!

The reason for the unreadability of the files remained undetected for several days, until I came across the HDD Scan 3.2 utility.



The surface test carried out with its help immediately revealed the presence of BADs, which actually explained the unreadability of the files! In addition, the reason for the failures in the speed of writing and reading files immediately became clear, these are sectors with an access time of more than 150 ms.







To eliminate them, the previously found utility for low-level formatting HDD Low Level Format Tool was used.



After the end of formatting, a surface test was carried out using the same HDD Scan 3.2.







BAD blocks were eliminated, we also managed to get rid of slow sectors, which eliminated gaps in write and read speed.

Output.
Using HD Tune for surface testing is not recommended, it gives incorrect results, so it is better to use other utilities such as HDD Scan or similar.
To disinfect BAD blocks, you must use low-level formatting utilities. In addition to eliminating bad sectors, it eliminates clusters with long access times, which ultimately eliminates read and write speed gaps.
Using a similar method, you can return to work as if it were not working flash drives, but it is worth remembering that it is no longer worth trusting such media, the wear process that has begun can no longer be stopped and over time the number of bad sectors will grow and eventually the time will come when the media can no longer be used ! The time of complete failure depends on the intensity of using the flash drive!
This technique and a set of software can be used not only for flash drives but also for hard drives, both portable connected via USB and stationary with an IDE and SATA interface.

Best regards - StrateG-1.

We express our opinion

Broken sectors are an integral part of our digital life. Many of us are already accustomed to this kind of crash from time to time, but a new user who sees an error message while connecting a removable disk to a computer can lead to panic. Removable drives store a small amount of data in each of their sectors and sometimes it happens that one of them gets damaged. Such sectors are called broken.

In this article, we are going to walk you through the steps required to fix bad sectors on a flash drive or any larger storage medium connected to your computer. This method will require using a device with Windows operating system installed on it.

Logical - storage space that is not working properly. The operating system, while trying to read the sector data, receives an correction error code that does not match the content. Then the system marks it as broken and stops using it for storing information. Such drives can be recovered by overwriting the disk (low-level formatting).
Physical - physically damaged media space. Such damage cannot be repaired.

So how do you fix bad sectors in a removable storage device? Fortunately, there are several ways you can help you deal with this crisis.

Eliminating bad sectors using Windows Explorer

The first and most important troubleshooting method is Windows explorer... An easy-to-use interface will allow you to check the media connected to your computer for bad sectors and eliminate them.

Note: We used Windows 10 to run the disk analysis utility. The Windows 8.1 user interface is similar, however it may differ from Windows 7.

Troubleshooting steps:


Recovering bad sectors using CMD in Windows

If the UI-based utility does not resolve the issue, try using the Windows Command Prompt. Check Disk is used to perform an operation to check the connected media for errors. To open CMD in administrator mode, right-click on the Start button and select Command Prompt (administrator).

Use the following command to test your drive:

chkdsk C:

Here C is the path / drive letter assigned to your media. You will need to write the symbol corresponding to your drive (in our case, this is E). Open My Computer to see the correct drive letter.

To correct errors on the media, enter the following:

chkdsk / f E:

The command will help you find and eliminate the broken sectors:

chkdsk / f / R E:

The Check Disk utility will recover any “logical” bad sector present on the removable drive. Restart your computer when the recovery process is complete.

The above methods will work for SD cards, MicroSD cards (connected with an adapter) and for external / internal hard drives.

If you need to restore and save information in advance, the Starus Recovery tools will help you. You can download and try programs for recovering deleted data on removable storage absolutely free! The functionality of each program has a preview window. This function will help you make sure that a specific file is not damaged or overwritten, which means it will be successfully restored.

Perhaps every user sooner or later faces the problem of the performance of the flash drive. If your removable storage device stops working normally, do not rush to throw it away. In case of some failures, performance can be restored. Let's consider all available ways to solve the problem.

It should be said right away that all procedures are performed quite simply. Moreover, the problem can be solved without even resorting to some unusual means, but just use the capabilities of the Windows operating system. So let's get started!

Method 1: Check Flash Program

This software effectively checks the performance of a flash device.

  1. Install the program. To do this, download it from the link above.
  2. In the main window of the program, follow a few simple steps:
    • in chapter "Access type" select item "Like a physical device ...";
    • to display your device, in the box "Device" click the button "Refresh";
    • in chapter "Actions" check the box "Reading stability";
    • in chapter "Duration" indicate "Infinitely";
    • press the button "Start".
  3. The check will begin, the progress of which will be displayed on the right side of the window. When testing sectors, each of them will be highlighted with the color specified in the Legend. If everything is in order, then the cell glows blue. If there are errors, the block will be marked in yellow or red. In the tab "Legend" there is a detailed description.
  4. At the end of the work, all errors will be indicated on the tab "Magazine".
  5. Unlike the built-in CHKDSK command, which we will discuss below, this program erases all data when it checks a flash device. Therefore, before checking, all important information should be copied to a safe place.

    If after checking the flash drive continues to work with errors, then this indicates that the device is losing its performance. Then you need to try to format it. Formatting can be normal or, if that doesn't help, low-level.

    Our lessons will help you to complete this task.

    You can also use standard Windows formatting. The corresponding instructions can be found in our article on how to record music on a USB flash drive for a car radio (method 1).

    Method 2: CHKDSK utility

    This utility comes with Windows and is used to check the disk for file system problems. To use it to test the health of your media, do the following: