| Thumb Drive: Convenience is the magic word. | | | | This step is necessary so that recovery can proceed |
| The thumb drive is an excellent device, no doubts | | | | while preserving the integrity of the original thumb |
| about that. Although it costs more than optical discs, | | | | drive (or any storage media actually) which has lost |
| it has much more storage space in a smaller package. | | | | the data. |
| Convenience is the word here, as now you not only | | | | Backup procedure |
| have a large enough storage space to backup | | | | Then, you need to download recovery utility. From |
| spreadsheets, databases, videos, mp3's and more, | | | | this point on, I will be referring and using the data |
| BUT you can just put in your pocket as it is not as | | | | recovery software and data recovery tools (free). |
| frail as optical disks, nor does it have any moving | | | | Download link to ADRC data recovery tools below |
| parts in it. | | | | Once you have downloaded the software, unzip it |
| Thumb Drive: The Dangers. | | | | and double click on the application. |
| In fact, thumb drives are hardy. And that's part of | | | | The following process is to create a disk image of |
| the problem. | | | | the thumb drive so that recovery can be done on |
| Once you know it is sturdy, people tend to take the | | | | the image instead of the original data disk. |
| fact for granted and neglect basic things like backup | | | | To create an image, you want to use the Image |
| and such, with the presumption that the thumb drive | | | | Backup/Restore function, which is under the tools |
| will never fail. The basic fact is (and this goes just for | | | | menu in ADRC's data recovery tools. |
| about anything mechanical, electronic or biological) will | | | | You should see there are two radio buttons. Select |
| fail. | | | | Create Image From Disk. |
| Here are a few ways in which thumb drives and | | | | Then, in the lower drop down menu, select the drive |
| other solid state devices can fail, in fact: | | | | you want to clone. Save and image file name, and |
| - Write/erase limit | | | | then wait for the operation to finish. |
| Thumb drives "wear out" after a number of write | | | | Image created, you want to proceed on to recovery |
| erase to the devices. Yes, there is a limit of some | | | | from this image file. |
| sort (with numbers ranging from 10,000 to 100,000) | | | | Recover from file deletion |
| of how many times you can write to the thumb | | | | Still in the data recovery tools software, under |
| drive. | | | | "tools", select "undelete". Select the drive which you |
| - file corruption | | | | have backed up the image drive to, and click search. |
| Like in normal hard disks, there is a possibility that file | | | | Wait for the process to finish. With luck, the file you |
| corruption occurring. When this happens, you either | | | | need and deleted can be found in the list. |
| cannot open the file as normal or the whole drive | | | | Select the files (to select many files, press ctrl and |
| cannot even be opened, and there are messages | | | | click) that you need. This may be a tedious process |
| which ask you to format your drive. | | | | as there are many files which you may not need. |
| - burned chips/components | | | | Persevere! You need the files! |
| During power surge, or even improper eject of the | | | | Once you have selected the files, click the "Undelete |
| thumb drive, the memory chip where all your data is | | | | Files" button. You will then be prompted to specify a |
| stored may get destroyed. When this happens, there | | | | location to save the files. |
| is no chance at all to even recover your data. | | | | Recover from file/drive corruption |
| - misplacement | | | | There are many recovery software on the market, |
| With the nature of the drive itself, its diminutive size | | | | both good and bad. However, in this particular guide, |
| makes it easy to forget its existence. It is easy to | | | | we are referring to ADRC's data recovery express, |
| misplace, lose and leave behind. | | | | which costs US$6.99. The software relatively |
| As you can see, there are dangers in trusting the | | | | powerful but cheap costing software, thus there is |
| thumb drive solution wholly. And in some cases, like | | | | minimal risk. |
| burnt components, misplacement and theft would | | | | Download link to ADRC Data Recovery Express |
| mean that your data is lost forever.However, if you | | | | below |
| only either delete your data, or your files get | | | | Run the software (just double-click on icon). Under |
| corrupted or your thumb drive returns messages | | | | the settings tab, you would want to check the "raw |
| which ask you to format it, then there is still a | | | | disk scan" option. Then, select the image you have |
| chance that you can get back your data. | | | | created, and click "Begin Scan". |
| Recovery from deleted/corrupted files in thumb | | | | And now we wait for the automated recovery |
| drives | | | | process to finish. |
| When you have lost data through either deletion or | | | | As long as you have not done anything after realising |
| corruption, it is of utmost importance that you | | | | that your drive is corrupter your files should be |
| immediately stop using the media to increase the | | | | remain intact. In fact, ADRC recovery express can |
| chances of you recovering your data. | | | | repair files that have suffered corruption, so long as |
| Once that is done, you need to create a backup | | | | the corruption is not severe. |
| image of the thumb drive. | | | | Problem solved. |