I have a USB stick which, when plugged in, generates a warning advising it needs reformatting.

I’m not sure why it has suddenly started to refuse to play, but I don’t want to reformat and potentially lose all my stored files etc etc.

The data (or drive) is RAW according to disk management.

I’ve tried various free data recovery programs but haven’t had any success.

Does anyone have any recommendations on how to recover the data (and yeah, I’ve learnt my lesson yet again on backing up).

Also, I’m considering going ahead and reformatting and trying to recover the data that way. I have read it’s possible to recover after formatting as the data will not have been over written (yet).

However, I’m not 100% sure on this.

Any help appreciated 2007 3.6 TDV8

Try a different USB port and a different computer just in case it's the computer.

An a magnetic disc, depending on the type of re-format you can still retrieve some of the data - because it often just wipes the index area - however, I don't think reformatting will make it better / easier to recover the data as the recovery programs just ignore the index and scan the whole thing - however, could make it worse

With a USB drive things are a little different as it has flash memory and not a magnetic disc, so it is easier to corrupt the whole thing.

If the data is important to you - and it won't work on a different PC, then I'd pay a recovery expert rather than risk making it worse.

I agree with Alistair, do not reformat the drive.

Although in theory reformatting erases the file allocation table (FAT), once that's gone, it is harder and requires more in-depth analysis to rebuild the FAT and potentially recover missing data.

I suggest getting hold of something like Norton tools that will allow sector analysis.

The good news is that your pc is recognising that a drive is there at all. It is possible that the drive became unreadable after it was removed during a read/write session was not complete. This happens when a drive is not ejected before physical removal. The ejection process makes sure the session is completed properly before the drive is ready for removal.

Mike

Ok. Thanks for the advice

I have a feeling I pulled the stick out without safe ejecting. Pretty sure nothing was writing on it though.

So far I’ve tried half a dozen free trial software recovery programs with no joy.

I’ll have a lot ok at the Norton one you mentioned 2007 3.6 TDV8

If you are using Windows 7 then try the following first to repair the USB Drive:
1. Insert the USB drive into the USB port of your system.
2. Go to My Computer>Removable Disk Icon.
3. Right click the Removable Disk Icon and open its Properties.
4. Click on the Tools tab.
5. Click “Rebuild” button.

If that doesn't work try running CHKDSK on the USB drive from a windows command prompt:
1. Open start menu and type in CMD in search box
2. Right click CMD and run as administrator
3. Type in chkdsk H: /f /r /x and hit Enter (replace H: with the drive letter of your USB.)

Good luck  2017 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography
2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster - Gone, but not forgotten