I've got a thumbdrive that windows won't read anymore, but I have some data on it that I really need. Are there any emergency recovery utilities for thumbdrives (Windows, *nix, or otherwise)?

3/7/2006 6:05:08 PM

you kept valuable data stored ONLY on a thumbdrive?

3/7/2006 6:07:02 PM

Slax, Knoppix, Puppy Linux, DSL(Damn Small Linux)

3/7/2006 6:08:10 PM

I'm not sure if PC File Recovery 4.0 works on thumb drives ... haven't tried.

Depending on the type of stick you have, there may be a physical switch on the thing to turn it to "read-only" mode. TURN THAT ON if you have it on your stick. OR, whatever computer you plug the drive into, make that drive read only. This isn't a "true" solution to data recovery, but it will help before you do anythign else.

[Edited on March 7, 2006 at 6:47 PM. Reason : .]

3/7/2006 6:46:42 PM

nah, it's a lexar jumpdrive traveler (if i remember the name correctly) - no r/w switch anywhere.

can knoppix do recovery on thumbdrives? i know you can use it to brute-force a windows box...

3/7/2006 7:34:41 PM

no - clearly knoppix is used only to brute force a windows machine

you are fucked is the short answer

3/7/2006 8:53:30 PM

Quote :

"knoppix is used only to brute force a windows machine "

3/7/2006 8:58:25 PM

well no shit it can brute force a windows machine - i was wondering whether there any other handy disk recovery utilities on there... preferably those that will work on a flash drive

3/9/2006 10:32:20 PM

Have you tried different computers? I had a thumb drive crap out on my home pc, but when I stuck it in at one of the university lab machines, I was able to e-mail myself the data.

3/9/2006 10:39:37 PM

nah, i haven't - just tried it on my new computer at home. i'll give it shot though.

3/9/2006 10:43:04 PM