Sandisk usb stick problems

Other day I was copying files onto my Sandisk Cruzer Titanium 4gb stick. When I checked it had copied the file from my c drive, it wasn't being picked up by the PC.

Now when I plug it in, its U3 smart software doesn't kick in, and I can't gain access to it with out a "The disk in drive F is not formatted, do you want to format it now?" when clicking on its icon.

I only had about 700mb files on it, when I click on its properties, it shows used space at full capacity but showing 0 bytes.

Have I lost all my data, and should I format it? I want to format as a last resort - just in case I can recover data from it. BTW, I've tried DDR-Pen Drive Recovery software, but it says there's two hopes - no hope and Bob Hope!

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Cheers

 

Similar thing happened to me once, and I tried it on several machines.

Had to reformat, :cry.

Now I keep a copy of everything I want on the stick on my HD. Figure the chance of both failing at the same time is tiny.

But, hang in there, maybe someone else has an answer, I'd like to see it too.

 

I have the same stick and have had the same problems, what i did was to remove the U3 software and re-formatted and now it works like a regular stick.

 

Brandypeppy - thanks for the reply. How strange is it that we have to backup a backup of something on our hard drive. I thought my sandisk was foolproof - obviously not.

Think I'll take your advice and hang in there to see what comes up.

Many thanks

 

BillMCC66 - I can't open the sandisk - keeps asking me to format it. Somewhere I read if I do format it, XP may well try and back it up. But then again, properties is showing empty of files.:confused

I'm lost on this one. Waiting for Sandisk to get back to me.

 

I used the HP tool to format a USB stick (FAT32) that I tried to put too much on. End result, I could not move, copy, erase, delete, rename any files on it. The stick is now very usable.

If this link doesn't work, please post back and I will try to find it on another trusted site.

Code:

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,64963-page,1/description.html

 

Many thanks plodr - couldn't make link work so have gone onto Sandisk site and downloaded their U3launchpad installer.

It does say that it'll format usb stick and it'll backup my info too - I hope. Going to wait and see if I get a response to my email from Sandisk support before I do so.

Let u know how it goes.

Cheers.

 

I've never had luck with U3, ranging from locking up the host computer to "losing things." First thing I do when I buy a Sandisk is run this: U3 Remover. I know this doesn't help you get your files back, sorry.

 

Go here

Code:

http://en.kioskea.net/download/download-127-hp-usb-disk-storage-format-tool

click on the download button and you will get the option of server1 or server2. Server 2 worked for me. I downloaded it to my XP computer (it is an exe file 1.97MB) and scanned it with AntiVir and Malwarebytes and it came up clean.

That tool will allow you to format the device and remove the U3 software. I ALWAYS remove extra software from USB sticks I buy.

 

cheers plodr, link worked, have downloaded. Waiting to here what Sandisk say about losing files/data before I format.

Will let you know what outcome is next week.

Cheers and many thanks for your inputs :clap

 

I can tell you that if you format, you will lose everything currently on the drive.

 

I've used U3 devices in the past. And, ran into the same issue. But, I also noticed that two drives pop up. One is the drive you copied to, the other is the U3 software. I'd go to the other drive first and see if you can run the U3 software.

If the other drive is not there, I'd also check diskmgmt.msc (win key + r (type in diskmgmt.msc(press enter))) See if there is a drive letter conflict.

Btw, I saw all this after the fact, and formatted my 32 GB flashdrive. But, read elsewhere that this was the issue.

 

I downloaded that HP format tool,but does not work?,because I reformatted my Sandisk and now,there is no format and am having no luck,it switches on sometimes,but only a green screen and I just love this thing.:cry
I have tried holding the button down for twenty seconds,no go

 

I finally got it going with the sandisk updater :-D

 

Now is went blank again,before I could use it,,green screen,guess I have to bin it!