Problems Scanning Two Erroneous Flash Drives On Two Win64 Computers!

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by HarryPotter, Sep 25, 2026 at 7:19 PM.

  1. HarryPotter

    HarryPotter MajorGeek

    Hi! Right now, in my possession, I have at least two flash drives that have issues and need to fix them. I believe the problems were caused by a malfunctioning connection. Every time I scan these drives for errors, the progress indicator stopped at a certain point. It always stops in the same position on the same drive but different for different drives. I want to fix these drives. How can I do that?
     
  2. plodr

    plodr MajorGeek Super Extraordinaire Moderator Staff Member

  3. HarryPotter

    HarryPotter MajorGeek

    Thank you. I checked there a few minutes ago and plan to try ChkDsk later on this morning when my roommate wakes up.
     
  4. HarryPotter

    HarryPotter MajorGeek

    I tried ChkDsk, and it displayed four undescriptive error messages then indicated no further progress. :(
     
  5. Digerati

    Digerati Major Geek Extraordinaire

    Don't bother. Toss them in the recycle bin and buy new ones, if you need them.

    Please hear me out. Flash drives were never intended to be anything other than temporary storage devices. They are great, for example, to carry a file from home to work and back again. Or for updating BIOS firmware.

    Other than that, flash drives are incredibly cheap devices in every sense of the word. They can easily be lost. They can easily be damaged through misuse or accidents. They can even be zapped by static just by sliding them into and out of our pockets. :(

    They should NEVER EVER be used as a "sole" backup device for any important file - not ever.

    "IF" there are files on these drives you need to recover, then I agree with plodr and see if EaseUS Partition Master can recover them for you. If successful, immediately copy those files to a more robust storage solution like a hard drive or SSD. Then get rid of those drives. Once damage/corruption occurs, there is always a much greater risk it will recur.

    Last, note any decent backup plan involves "multiple" backup copies stored on multiple devices, preferably with at least one copy stored off site. I am not a fan of storing my important files out in "the cloud" but that is an option. Another is to copy them to a disk stored in the safe deposit box or your bank, or with a trusted friend or relative.

    Since it is possible your home may be destroyed by fire or other natural disaster, or your home broken into and all your computer hardware stolen, having at least one off-site copy will save you a whole lot of grief and aggravation.
     
  6. HarryPotter

    HarryPotter MajorGeek

    Well...the drive still works--except for some file system errors and an inability to add new files to it. :( I'm expecting a new gift card in the mail and plan to buy five more flash drives with it. Once I get them, I can copy the stuff off of it and onto another one. Thank you.
     

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