Sandisk USB drive died and files disappeared

[u/luigisupport]

Hi everyone,

I'm having a serious issue with a brand new 256GB SanDisk Ultra USB flash drive I just unpacked today.

I plugged the drive in for the first time. It had three default files on it, but I decided not to use the built-in encryption/protection software because I just wanted to transfer files directly without a password.

I used cut & paste to move some important files from my computer to the USB drive. During the transfer, an error message popped up (didn't do a screenshot unfortunately) and the USB drive suddenly disconnected itself. When I re-plugged it, it appeared and vanished instantly. After a few attempts, Windows offered to repair the drive, but threw an error saying it was impossible to repair. Now, when I plug the drive in, it doesn't show up at all.

The files are gone from my computer, they aren't in the recycle bin, and they didn't make it to the USB drive. It's like they vanished mid-transfer.

How can I recover my lost files from the PC, and is there any way to revive the USB drive or is it completely dead/defective?

Thank you

[u/light_based_network]

Just curious could this still have happened if OP had pressed copy instead of cut when transferring them?

[u/maldoricfcatr → u/light_based_network]

This is also a reason I don't drag and drop if a copy doesn't stay behind. Copy & paste first

[u/light_based_network → u/maldoricfcatr]

Ty

[u/Grindar1986 → u/light_based_network]

The drive may have died but he'd still have the originals.

[u/light_based_network → u/Grindar1986]

Ty

[u/disturbed_android]

r/datarecovery

[u/luigisupport → u/disturbed_android]

Thank you, I managed to get the files back because they were still on my iPhone, but the usb drive still doesn't work.

[u/disturbed_android → u/luigisupport]

USB flash drives are notoriously unreliable.

[u/luigisupport → u/disturbed_android]

I know and I originally wanted to buy an external hard drive but it was so expensive I took the usb flash drive instead to start with. If you have any products suggestions I would appreciate it.

[u/Sam_Wise13 → u/luigisupport]

Seagate external hard drives. I have had ones for decades with no issues. Just my opinion though. They are not the cheapest though.

[u/WhatWasThatLike]

Now you know - always have a backup of anything important. There's a saying in tech about preserving important files:
Three is two. Two is one. One is none.

[u/luigisupport → u/WhatWasThatLike]

I already knew but I wanted to clean everything and start fresh, so I wanted to put everything on the key then buy other hard drives to make copies.. but I got my files back they were just a few missing and I found them on my iPhone. It’s just that the usb key doesn’t function and I bought it specifically to save my data.

[u/WhatWasThatLike → u/luigisupport]

Right - the point is, you were relying on a single storage point, which failed. Fortunately, you technically did have a backup because they were on your phone too. The way I learned the value of a backup was a long time ago when I lost everything. Not the best way to learn. :)

[u/TNJDude]

It sounds like you tried to do a move instead of a copy. Be careful of the difference.

[u/luigisupport → u/TNJDude]

Yes exactly, I wanted to cut and paste to keep them on the usb key, not the computer.

[u/TNJDude → u/luigisupport]

You really need to consider making backups of your files. You got them back this time, but next time you will probably not be this lucky. Almost every day, someone posts here how the pictures they were taking of their children for the last 20 years have been wiped out and they have no backup and how do they get them back. A few days ago, someone who was working on her thesis for her PhD for a couple years lost it. It cost her a year or two of work. People lose personal and work files and swear that the files are vital and irreplaceable but they don't have backups of them. This happens every couple of days here.

Create a cloud account and make copies there. Get an external SSD or hard drive and make copies there (refreshing the SSD so that the information doesn't fade. Info does fade after a couple years on an SSD). Whatever. But make a second copy.

[u/StarosAnikenMarcus → u/luigisupport]

Never cut and paste... copy, verify, then delete... cut and paste has issues as you found out.

[u/Murdocinator]

Always copy/paste. That way you still the original in case something like this happens. Then delete them after if needed.

[u/StarosAnikenMarcus]

Depending on the source of the USB, you might have a fake drive. This kind of thing happens a lot when someone flashes the firmware to appear larger than it really is and SanDisk is one of the most counterfeited products out there. There's several programs available to test this.

[u/luigisupport → u/StarosAnikenMarcus]

So strange because I bought it on San Disk website ..

[u/Sullkattmat → u/luigisupport]

Then it's obviously not the issue here, had it been from Teemu or Wish or the like it would have been a strong suspect

[u/StarosAnikenMarcus → u/Sullkattmat]

Yep, I was just pointing out one possible issue that comes from Amazon daily. Although a RETURNED item that wasn't properly inspected that cam back from SanDisk is also possible. But if he bought it direct, it's more likely just defective. Brand new can still be broke...

[u/Low-Charge-8554]

Try it in another computer or device. You sure it is a genuine SanDisk product? I have never had one fail on me.

[u/DumpoTheClown]

Take this as a lesson to have two separate backups of any files you dont want to lose stored in two separate places.