[ThorJ]

I have a Lexar 4 GB flash drive that I have had to jiggle in the USB port to get it to read. It has been progressively getting worse. Today it stopped working all together. The red light that indicates data transfer is not working but a red triangle appears intermittently. Sometimes the computer detects an external drive but can never connect. Do you have any idea what the problem could be and how could I fix it?
Solutions I have tried:
- Checked on 3 different PC computers but was not recognized.
- Took outer plastic casing off to see if metal contacts were broken. They didn't seem to be.
- Tried to blow on it to get dust out (realize that this may have made if worse in hindsight).
- Squeezed it while in USB port.
Please help me! I have files that I need a.s.a.p. Also, I know that I should have have backed it up.

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Hi ThorJ and
If the drive is mechanically broken the only option would be a rather expensive data recovery service and these do not promise 100% that they can/will retrieve your data.
See if any of the software @ http://www.snapfiles...tarecovery.HTML help and try Recuva first as it has a good success rate, more options @ http://3d2f.com/tags...sh/disk/repair/
Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[phillpower2]

Hi ThorJ and
If the drive is mechanically broken the only option would be a rather expensive data recovery service and these do not promise 100% that they can/will retrieve your data.
See if any of the software @ http://www.snapfiles...tarecovery.HTML help and try Recuva first as it has a good success rate, more options @ http://3d2f.com/tags...sh/disk/repair/
Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[ThorJ]

I tried Recuva and it didn't work because I think it couldn't access the USB stick. I think this confirms that it is a hardware issue. Is there a fast, reliable data recovery service in the Montreal, Canada area that you know of?

[phillpower2]

I would try every available software at both of the links I provided as you just might get lucky, be prepared for a shock if and when you need the services of data recovery experts http://www.montrealdatarecovery.com/
You should also try google to get price comparisons, best of luck.

[ThorJ]

Would you recommend trying Geek Squad at Best Buy?

[phillpower2]

It would do no harm to ask, a Tech there may be able to make a recommendation based on experience.

[ThorJ]

Thank you very much for your help.

[phillpower2]

You are welcome and good luck.

[ThorJ]

If the circuit is broken (this is what Best Buy said it was) what are my options for getting the information off of it?

[phillpower2]

I would send an email to a data recovery service and ask them for guidance, you want a service like this http://www.flashdrivepros.com/ but one closer to home.