What is USB flash drive data recovery?
Data recovery is the set of procedures used to safely extract files from storage devices whose data can no longer be accessed normally.
If, after this guide, your flash drive still won’t give access to the files, see our USB flash drive recovery service, which starts with a free diagnosis.
If you need to recover a USB flash drive, Bot can help with drives that have stopped working, ask to be formatted, have burnt-out electronics, were formatted by accident, have firmware failures, were hit by viruses and many other problems.
How does USB flash drive recovery work?
It all starts with our form. There you choose the diagnosis turnaround: urgent (up to 12 h), priority (up to 24 h) or standard, which is free (up to 48 h). You can also request free collection of your device (islands not included) or let us know that you’d rather drop it off yourself.
Once you’ve completed the form, you’ll receive your case number and all the instructions by email.
When we receive your device, we diagnose it and send you a quote within the turnaround you chose. As soon as you approve it, we begin the data recovery work on your USB flash drive. These procedures are complex and must be carried out in a properly equipped laboratory, with a Class 100 (ISO 5) cleanroom and specialist tools for reading flash memory.
When you lose data, turning to a specialist company like Bot is very important. A single attempt to recover a USB flash drive without the right knowledge and equipment can make recovery impossible.
How to recover a corrupted USB flash drive
A corrupted USB flash drive is one whose data can no longer be accessed. This can happen for many reasons, such as electronic failures, viruses, software problems or impacts.
Because they are small and light, USB flash drives are easily dropped or damaged, which can leave the data inaccessible.
Electronic failures are also common. Inside a USB flash drive, a controller chip manages the data stored on the flash memory chip, and both sit on a small circuit board. When the board or one of its components fails or burns out, the data becomes inaccessible.
To recover a corrupted USB flash drive, the first step is to identify the cause of the problem. This should be done by specialist professionals with the right knowledge, equipment and working environment.
The data is then recovered using specific procedures, such as forced reads and repeated reads of the damaged areas, among others.
Depending on the case, it may also be necessary to rebuild the file system with specialist tools or even read the memory chip directly. Never format the USB flash drive before the data has been recovered, as this makes recovery harder. That’s why it’s best to get professional help to recover a corrupted USB flash drive.
How to recover a formatted USB flash drive
Formatting a USB flash drive erases all its data from view, whether on purpose or by accident. If you regret it, or if it happened by mistake, you’ll need data recovery.
Data can often be recovered from a formatted USB flash drive because, after a quick format, it usually remains on the device until it is overwritten. So stop using the drive as soon as you notice the problem and don’t save anything else to it. The data is then recovered by rebuilding the drive’s file structure or by scanning it for files, which makes them accessible again.
Once again, it’s best to have this done by a specialist company, as it requires specific programs, tools and know-how.
How to recover a burnt-out USB flash drive
When a USB flash drive “burns out”, it is usually its circuit board that has been damaged. This is often caused by power surges, faulty USB ports or chargers, static electricity or physical damage to the connector. Removing the drive without ejecting it safely doesn’t usually burn the board, but it can corrupt the file system and cause data loss.
To recover a burnt-out USB flash drive, professional intervention is essential. The device has to be opened and the damaged components repaired or replaced, or the data read directly from the memory chip, using specialist equipment.
How much does it cost to recover data from a USB flash drive?
The price of USB flash drive recovery depends on how complex the problem is. It doesn’t depend on the amount of data to be recovered or on the capacity of the device, but on a full diagnosis that assesses the complexity of the case.
In this diagnosis, we examine the USB flash drive’s electronics, assess whether recovery is technically viable and what the work will involve, and only then present the diagnosis and quote.
The cost of professional data recovery varies a lot from case to case. To get an idea of what to expect, see our pricing page.
Remember that an accurate quote always requires a diagnosis. At Bot, the standard diagnosis is free and with no obligation, and collection of your device is free too (islands not included).
