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    Flash drive died suddenly?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by pixelot, Jan 19, 2008.

  1. pixelot

    pixelot Notebook Acolyte

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    Hi, folks. Something rather strange happened with my flash drive today. I had just transfered a downloaded FLV file onto it, and safely removed it. I plugged it into my laptop, and received the usual hardware sound, tray icon for safe removal, and it showed up in Computer. The first sign something was wrong was that it was labeled 'Removable Disk (F)' instead of my personal label for it. I clicked on it, and was told to please insert a disk into drive F:???
    To cut a long story short, in the Properties tabs I am informed that this device is working normally; however, I am unable to access it, format it, scan it, etc. Even the file system is unknown. :mad:

    I didn't lose any important files, but this is disturbing nonetheless. Before someone suggests virus, I ran a scan on both computers involved immediatley after this behavior, and came up with nothing. No further strange behavior. :confused:

    So what I'm thinking is that the heat finally got to it, or wiring went balony, chip got fried, or whatever. Does anyone else know if these are the signs of a dead thumb drive?

    I understand that they don't last too long, but I just want to make sure I'm not overlooking something. Thanks! :p
     
    pixelot, Jan 19, 2008
    #1
  2. booboo12

    booboo12 Notebook Prophet

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    How long did you have it?
     
    booboo12, Jan 19, 2008
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  3. pixelot

    pixelot Notebook Acolyte

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    About a year, I think.
     
    pixelot, Jan 19, 2008
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  4. booboo12

    booboo12 Notebook Prophet

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    Does it work on the other computer?
     
    booboo12, Jan 19, 2008
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  5. Arki

    Arki Super Moderator

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    Not long at all. Hmm...

    Is this issue only on your laptop?
     
    Arki, Jan 19, 2008
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  6. pixelot

    pixelot Notebook Acolyte

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    No, this occurs on both laptops I've tried it on. It recognizes that I plugged in hardware, but treats it much the same way as an optical drive: it thinks I still need to insert a disk into the drive.

    And the real killer is I can't mess around with it at all until it treats it like a disk. :mad:
     
    pixelot, Jan 19, 2008
    #6
  7. pixelot

    pixelot Notebook Acolyte

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    Forget that one anyways. I got a Cruzer Titanium. :yes:
     
    pixelot, Dec 13, 2008
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  8. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    what memory card did you have?
    most of them come with like 3, 5, or 10 year warranties, so you probably could get it repaired or replaced.


    oh, i just noticed you bumped your 11 month old thread

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Dec 13, 2008
    #8
  9. Tippey764

    Tippey764 Notebook Deity

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    A cruzer? they suck. They have that annoying U3 smart program that pops up ever time you put it in and makes it take 10 times longer to just WORK.
     
    Tippey764, Dec 15, 2008
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  10. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    Tippey, you can uninstall the U3 software. That is what I did on mine. I formatted the U3 partition away, and the card is actually half way decent. I am not talking about the same card Pix bought, just a 4gb cruzer I have.

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Dec 15, 2008
    #10
  11. mirage_bg

    mirage_bg Notebook Deity

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    For me U3 software is very useful- I have 16GB Cruzer Contour and I am very happy to have my programs working with me everywhere, but that's my point of view...
     
    mirage_bg, Dec 15, 2008
    #11