Jan302011

Why is my USB drive not recognized on any computer?

SuperBlooper057 asks:

My 2 GB USB pen drive is suddenly not being recognized on any computer or device. It was working perfectly fine, but all of a sudden it seems to be bricked. It receives power (it gets warm), but the indicator light doesn’t light up.

Tagged: computer hardware, usb flash drive

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7 Answers -

0 votes

Anonymous

January 31, 2011

Hi
You can try a linux pc or a mac one or another desktop flavor so that to see it can be recognized.

try MPTool-2007103-Fix-Usb-key to fix your usb key
http://www.bloggybloggy.com/randomdownloads/MPTool-2007103-Fix-Usb-key.zip

for a tutorial
http://www.myblog.bloggybloggy.com/usb-key-fix-mptools-11-05-2008/

also
ChipGenius
http://host.hackerbox.org/download.php?file=b90b1e80d3868f8c70a1ef6d394482ec

AlcorMP(081208)
http://host.hackerbox.org/download.php?file=2e46c99b2b179e9bed1ea8687e87529a

0 votes

FIDELIS

January 31, 2011

Hello, first thing you want to try is recover any files you may have on flashdrive. Try using this software:
http://diskdigger.org/download
http://www.piriform.com/recuva

Have you tried updating the driver?
– windows key + Pause/Break,
– Click Hardware Tab,
– Click Device Manager,
– Find the Universal Serial Bus controllers entry,
– Highlight an entry >> right click >> select update drivers.

You can try changing the drive’s assigned letter:

– start,
– type DISKMGMT.MSC on search box,
– press enter,
– Find drive letter for USB drive you are using,
– Right Click >> pick Change Drive Letter and Paths,
– Press the Change button,
– Pick a different letter that is not in use,
– Press Ok,
– Unplug the drive, plug it back in
– Check to see if flash drive appears with new letter.

Have you tried plugging the flash drive on usb port on the back? Sometimes if you plug in a flash drive on a USB hub or the front USB header it will not be recognized. If you have tried different computers and it does not show, it is definitely telling you there is something physically wrong with your flash drive.

If you do not use the safe removal on your task bar before removing the drive, it might have gotten corrupted…but it would still show as an unknown device.

Try doing the following:
– Turn off your computer,
– Unplug the computer from outlet
– Wait a few minutes.
– Plug computer back to outlet.
– Start your computer and plug the flash drive.

You can also try uninstalling the drivers in device manager for usb devices and root hub. As a final suggestion I would try reformatting the drive:

– Click Start
– Computer
– Right-click the flash drive
– Select Format

SuperBlooper057

Sorry maybe I didn’t clarify enough, but my USB key won’t function on ANY device, including Windows, Linux, I even tried on my modded Wii! Others USB drives do work with all of ports on all of those devices.

ha24: Is there any way to actually recover the files before formatting? It seems like the process would work, though.

January 31, 2011

0 votes

Bobbyzeeark

January 31, 2011

hi, maybe your device is write protected.

0 votes

Anonymous

February 1, 2011

Hi
Try USBDeview
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/usb_devices_view.html
Install it reboot with luck it will now be recognised as “found new hardware” and will be reinstalled!!!

if your system succeed in recognizing the usb key then there are some tools that can help in recovering files Before/after format.

Ontrack easy recovery
http://www.ontrackdatarecovery.com/home-users/

Data Recovery Wizard
http://www.easeus.com/resource/recover-quick-format.htm

O&O UnErase 6
For a free licence
http://www.oo-software.com/home/en/special/kfjsk8/index.html

freeware
Recuva
http://www.piriform.com/recuva

FreeUndelete
http://majorgeeks.com/FreeUndelete_d4407.html

Glary Undelete
http://www.glarysoft.com/products/utilities/glary-undelete/