6. Use the Command Line to Repair the File System
If Chkdsk doesn’t work, you can try using another command via Command Prompt to repair the file system.
How to Use the Command Line:
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Type
diskpartand press Enter. - Type
list diskand identify the disk number of your flash drive. - Type
select disk X(replace X with your disk number). - Type
cleanand press Enter (be careful, this will erase all data). - Create a new partition by typing
create partition primary. - Format a flash drive with the desired file system.
7. Consider Professional Recovery Services
If your data is critical and the above methods don’t work, it might be time to consider a professional data recovery service. They have tools and expertise that may not be available to general users.
Flash Drive Recovery Case Examples
Case 1: Flash Drive Not Detected
Situation: You connect a flash drive to your computer, but it doesn’t appear in This PC or Disk Management.
Solution:
- Try connecting to a different USB port.
- Check-in Device Manager if any devices are not recognized.
- Use Update Driver to update USB drivers.
Case 2: File cannot be opened
Situation: Files on the flash drive are visible, but cannot be opened or appear corrupted.
Solution:
- Use data recovery software to try to recover files.
- If files are important, consider using a professional data recovery service.
Case 3: Storage capacity does not match
Situation: The storage capacity of the displayed flash drive is much smaller than the actual capacity.
Solution:
- Use Disk Management to check the partitions on the flash drive.
- If there are partitions that you don’t recognize, use Command Prompt to clean up and create new partitions.
Conclusion
Repairing a corrupted flash drive without formatting does require patience and a bit of technical expertise. By following the steps outlined above, you have a good chance of recovering your data without losing valuable information.