XP sees USB flash drive but no data

Hi all. Long time since I've posted here. I am working with a customer and here is the issue.

She has a flash drive that can be seen, it is also assigned a drive letter. However, there is no data on the drive. It has not been purposefully deleted. She thinks it may have been pulled out while peforming a file operation but is not sure.

I have tried a few different file recovery software packages and they see my flash drive and can recover deleted data. However, the software packages do not see her drive even though Windows XP does give it a drive letter.

Any ideas?

 

Also, I have tried a number of data recovery utilities and none of them see the flash drive even though windows does. I can put my flash drives in and they can be seen.

I have tried On-Track, Pc Inspector, PhotoRec/TestDisk. None of these see the flash drive.

 

You know, I didn't think to check the space on the drive. I did go into properties numerous times and think it showed it as being full (all blue) but cannot be certain.

I can't recall if the format command was available.

I did read somewhere that someone had a similar issue and that they were able to type in a name for the drive (after going into properties) and that the flash drive worked after that. I was leary of doing anything that would change data on the drive but I did try typing into the drive name box. It wouldn't put any text into the drive naming box.

 

Thanks for your help Pete. Oh, and you are correct in guessing that the data has not been backed up. If it had been, I may have worked along the lines of formatting the drive or otherwise altering the structure on the drive.

I called a place not too far away from our town (we don't have a PC repair place anymore) and let them know what I have done so far. It sounds like they may have some software that ignores what windows will show regarding the flash drive. I let them work out the details and I wished her the best on getting it fixed.

I have learned when to pass a problem on to someone else ... for the most part anyway.

I am going to check back and see if she was able to get her data back and I'll post back here. Incidentally, I did mention to her that there are some companies that you can send your flash drive to and they can as far as removing the chip to get the data off. That is for $100 and up though.

Ciao