Computer Hope
Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: ImnoGuru on August 15, 2019, 05:28:35 AM
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I have a 128 gb Kingston usb that has files on it. Yet when I insert it Windows shows it as corrupted.
I dont know what the files are, its from so long ago. ( I have an approximate idea. )
I wanted to know if there is a way to open the files to find out what is on the usb. Everything is rather garbled but it does show about 9 folders & several other files.
This a screenshot of explorer.
Thank you ImnoGuru.
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You can try repairing it by right-clicking on the drive, selecting properties, then tools, and then with error checking click on the check tab if running Windows 10.
Or run scandisk on the drive from an earlier version of Windows to see if that will correct this. It might be damaged beyond repair. :-\
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chkdsk / r...
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Thanks dave & patio. I tried those suggestions.
No joy there though. I remember from when I was a lad & 1.44 disks were the dream, I would recover lost sectors etc with something like Norton. eg screenshot
Basically when ppl delete something, the computer only changes the first letter to a ?, then the computer sees that as no file content.
So I was thinking maybe if I format the USB & then undelete it.
Might that work?
If I can get an inkling as to what is on this one I can make the decision as to pursue it or not.
Thanks ImnoGuru :)
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Dont format it because that will make matters worse for your data to be recovered.
I had long ago had a virus that mangled my file names and reported wrong file sizing etc and the File Allocation Table was messed up badly. I used a tool and I wish i remember what it was called but a search online I found a similar tool here which might be a free solution. I havent tested this software out so cant say whether its good or the solution. http://www.ntfs.com/recovery-toolkit.htm
The good thing is that since its a 128GB usb stick its most likely NTFS
Recovery Toolkit includes:
How to recover NTFS — step by step guide for problem discovery and fixing in manual and automated modes. Examples provided.
Disk Editor — freeware software for viewing, inspecting and editing content of raw disk sectors on USB and HDD disks, Floppy and CD/DVD/Blu-ray media.
Partition Manager — freeware software that helps you create, delete, format, change properties and name partitions on your computer
Partition Recovery — software tool for scanning disks and detecting deleted or severely damaged volumes, and for recovering deleted or damaged NTFS partitions
File Recovery — software utility for scanning disks and detecting deleted or damaged volumes and files, and for recovering deleted or otherwise lost files on NTFS.
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It is possible it is only the FAT that is corrupted, which would cause files to possibly become folders, folders to become files, filenames and dates to be corrupted, etc.
If you use Command Prompt and issue dir /x F: you might be able to determine part of the original filenames, as it shows the short filename for each file and those may be intact depending on the scale of the corruption.
If the data is intact you might be able to suss out some of the file types based on the contents of the files.
The good thing is that since its a 128GB usb stick its most likely NTFS
I think it is probably FAT32. Most drives come preformatted as FAT32, and this type of corruption is pretty unique to FAT filesystems due to how they work compared to NTFS.
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I was thinking NTFS because of the 32GB limit of Microsoft with FAT32 and their drive they claim is a 128GB. :-\
But were both on the same page as a File Allocation Table issue can cause what they see.
FAT/FAT32 can actually format up to 16TB hard drives and most operating systems support up to 2TB. Microsoft has set a 32GB partition size limit for the FAT/FAT32 file system to promote NTFS, which is generally more efficient when working with large partitions.
Only other thing in back of my mind on this is. Well, its not very likely because this is the users own 128GB stick, but what if it was a USB stick that had data stored on it in another language such as Thai and was observed with a English Language set computer. Would it show this unicode naming weirdness or the correct characters in that language when your computer is set to English?
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Ok DaveLembke, I wont format it. Thanks for the follow up. My comp is English DaveLembke, however this display seems to be in something like an MS word document when ppl change the font to something weird like wingdings.
Definitely no other language that I know involved.
patio when I used chkdsk to repair it, the comp went through all the right indicators but it hung after the position indicator went to full green. There was no flash or movement of the drive light indicator & wasnt successful. I had to reboot the comp to get it to release the drive. Cancel & clicking on the red X had no impact at all.
BC_Programmer, I'll give that a shot next also along with the link Dave provided. Command promt dir /x F: may work. Some time ago I'm certain Ive seen it as FAT 32.
The only reason I am going to this extreme with this USB is that I have a ( moderate thought )? it might have photos/avi etc of my departed partner. ( & yes I do miss her terribly even today.)
Most of these drives/usb's/ etc were packed away & I found this one. Should this drive prove not to be the one Im thinking of then fine... but just that inkling of maybe, is eating away at me. ( the mind is one really strange work of art. )
Crikey it could have the files to my vinyl printer cutter on it for all I really know.
Thanks for the help everyone. I really do appreciate Computerhope & all the friends I have here.
ImnoGuru :) :) :) :)
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Are the file extensions intact even though file names are corrupt ? ?
That may save you from spinnin yer wheels for nothing.
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If the files themselves are intact as I noted, you might be able to identify image files. If they were photos, then they were likely jpeg/jpg files.
If any of those files were transformed into directories by the corruption, or the directories they were within were transformed into files, then it will be very difficult to recover as it would involve low-level editing of the file system (and I'm not aware of any tools that allow that off-hand). However if you copy all the corrupted files to another drive, and rename them all to have a jpg extension, then change that folder to view thumbnails, you may be able to identify any accessible files that are images and may recover some of the images you are looking for.
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Thats a goood idea patio & BC_Programmer, thanks for that. 8)
I hadnt checked the extensions till now. A copy is the best to do any modifications to of course, so I'll create a copy to work on.
Ive been called away & wont be able to get to it for a short while. Theres probably a cafe or library I could join when I get to the local big smoke. I might have to do all this when I get back though. I'll let you know how the copy pans out.
Thanks again for the help. :)
ImnoGuru
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I know it may be some time before you get back to this.
I would suggest as others have to work with a copy especially as it is electronic storage rather than magnetic like on a mechanical drive.
A program i use for making copies is HD Raw copy from here https://hddguru.com/software/HDD-Raw-Copy-Tool/
As this is a bit level copy i.e every readable byte on the pendrive is transferred and you will get a report of any unreadable bytes
If your computer has more than 128gb free then you can create a raw image to a file with the program, which can then be used as the source for the recovery.
Or you can write the contents to other media like a hard drive for recovery.
For recovery I like Reclaime from here https://www.reclaime.com/
Remember to make the image first before trying any steps to repair or recover.