USB drive ain't working right

[scandalousjack]

So, I had the opportunity today to learn why there is a "safely remove hardware" option in Windows.

I was listening to mp3's stored on my USB drive when it was time to go. I logged out, but there was this nice little warning letting me know I left my USB drive plugged in. I was in a bit of a rush, and wasn't thinking things through, so I just yanked out the drive and left.

Well, when I did that Windows Media Player through a tantrum and I had to do the logout again. Later, when I plugged my USB drive back in I noticed only about half of the files showed up in Windows Explorer. It's a 1GB drive and of the 987MB in use, I can only find about 420MB worth of stuff through Windows Explorer.

So, is there a way to access the remaining files, or at least delete them. I cringe at the thought that by carelessly yanking out my USB drive, my 1GB capacity is now seriously reduced.

 

[bruceb]

I would try this data recovery program ... it is Shareware
not sure of the limitations without paying .. however, if
you can get your files back, it might be worth it

http://www.voodoofiles.com/36495

 

[scandalousjack]

Thanks bruceb! I'm giving that a try. However, I'm not that worried about recovering the data. There wasn't anything on the USB drive that wasn't on either my home or work computer.

My main worry now is how to delete those 500+MB of files I can't access. I use to drive to transfer files between work and home and school. Some of those files are near 1GB in size. So, can I delete those files and free up the whole 1GB or do I need to go shopping for a new USB drive?

 

[bruceb]

You may want this utility from HP to help you reformat the usb drive

http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/32594.asp

 

[scandalousjack]

Originally posted by: bruceb
I would try this data recovery program ... it is Shareware
not sure of the limitations without paying .. however, if
you can get your files back, it might be worth it

http://www.voodoofiles.com/36495

Right so I finally got around to trying to restore my files using this program. Sure enough it found my missing files. All of them. The only catch was in order to actually recover them, I had to buy their program. LOL

 

[scandalousjack]

Well, I found a free data recovery program off of download.com called Smart Data Recovery that was able to retrieve the files. Link (For anyone who's interested)

After that I used the HP utility for a quick and easy reformat, and VOILA! good as new.

Thanks for all your help bruceb.

 

[bruceb]

Glad you fixed it ... and thanks for the link to that program
So far, I have not had a need for it .. . But I did download it
and add it to my utilties kit

 

[savvy]

I usually yank out my USB drive and nothing happens.

Good job getting your stuff back.