


Partition tables can be viewed and modified in a variety of programs or in a hex editor. Both are comprised of binary data and them requires knowledge of their format, unique limitations, and how they layer within disks and storage devices. Many devices still use MBR, however, larger devices used to boot a computer in uefi mode will use GPT. There are two kinds of partition tables, the older MBR and newer GPT. The memory chips is physically damaged and unable to work properly at all.The controller is physically damaged and unable to work with the memory chips.The file system is logically corrupt or was formatted.The partition table is logically corrupt or has been removed.It is important to first identify where the corruption is before choosing the proper fix. There are a several kinds of corruption which can occur on a flash drive and each type requires a different repair. How do I fix a corrupted flash drive without losing data? Because improper tools or techniques can damage a drive further, a data recovery technician goes through tens of hours of instruction and practice to gain proper competency. Due to the small size of thumb drives and the tiny components on them, magnification or a microscope is used to perform delicate repair work. In some cases the memory chips themselves must be removed from the USB stick and read in a special recovery device.įlash drives with an encryption feature from the manufacturer are a challenge because the decryption key must remain available with the repair method used. Cracked memory chips are not recoverable, however damage to the USB plug, or the contact pads for the components, to the printed circuit board (PCB) can often be repaired successfully. Can a broken usb flash drive be fixed?īroken usb flash drives can be fixed and recovered if the memory chips have not been cracked. Procedures are intensive enough (hours and hours long) that they will need their own pages. If the memory chip is cracked, the drive cannot be repaired.įixing a broken pen drive can require proficiency with a number of tools such as a multi-meter, a hot air workstation, and circuit manipulation under a microscope. A typical data recovery technician goes through hours of instruction and tens of hours of practice before gaining the skill to repair such damage. Please be aware that improper techniques or tools can damage a device further and result in the drive being non-recoverable.

Special care must be taken to not make the damage worse by using excessive force during examination. In some cases, the circuit board traces are damaged or have been ripped up, in which case the difficulty of a fix increases. Most physical damage is done to the USB plug, extending the damage to it’s contact pads as well as the printed circuit board (PCB).
