When a memory stick crashes there is a possibility of losing data stored on it. The first thing we thereby recommend you is to back-up all the data in a safe place and perform troubleshooting techniques given below:
USB Flash drives should be in good health. These memory devices must be cleaned up occasionally to enhance their life and data storage prowess. You can start optimizing your USB drive just now. Follow these recommendations given below:
Delete AutoRun.inf Contents and Malicious Files
Your USB flash drive is probably infected by a virus. Check whether AutoRun.inf file exists on it. If it does, it automatically runs malicious file every time your USB flash drive is connected to your PC. Clear its contents, delete the target file specified in it.
For Windows 8.1/ 8/ 7/ Vista
- Download a free file compressor program, such as, 7 Zip File Manager.
- Install the program and open it.
- Open the USB Flash Drive in file compressor program that you recently installed. Remember, do not open your USB Flash Drive from My Computer as there is a risk of executing auto-run virus file.
- Do you see a file named AutoRun.inf? If yes, right click that file and select Properties.
- This opens up File Properties dialog box. Uncheck “Read-only” checkbox in the General tab. Click OK.
- Again, right click the same file, select Edit option.
- Now that you have the AutoRun.inf file opened with Notepad. The file contents will look similar to contents in this screenshot:
- All you’ve to do is note down the file name that appears with “open=” string. Viruses often use it to run malicious content every time USB flash drive is connected to your PC. It may contain a random file name such as 01.exe, 02.exe, or it may contain a filename that appears to be a folder name, say NewFolder.exe, NewFolder2.exe, etc. Similarly, it may be a filename that looks like an image file name, like Image01.jpeg.exe, Image02.jpeg.exe. It may not be an Executable File (.exe) but a Batch File (.bat).
- Delete all the contents of AutoRun.inf file. Click File | Save.
- Exit the file and 7 Zip File Manager program.
- Double click Computer icon on your Desktop and then open your USB Flash Drive.
- Click the downward arrow on the upper right corner of your screen. Click View tab in Ribbon interface.
- Check-up following checkboxes:
- Hidden items
- File name extensions
- Delete the executable or batch file that you noted down recently. (Refer Step # 8 above)
- Delete any other suspicious files found. Example: NewFolder.exe, Image01.jpeg.exe, Document.doc.exe. Remember, the filename appears to be a different file than Executable File (.exe), but it runs a malicious command when you open it.
Reinstall Universal Serial Bus Controller
Go to Device Manager, find the entry of your USB Flash Drive, uninstall and reinstall it again. There may be incomplete driver installation or similar problems.
- Press Windows Key + X, select Search.
- Type “Device Manager” in Search Box. Click Settings icon.
- Open that from Search Results.
- This opens up Device Manager.
- Expand top node, and then Universal Serial Bus Controllers node.
- In the list that opens, right click your malfunctioning USB Flash Drive and select Uninstall option.
- Select Uninstall option. This removes your device drivers.
- Exit out of the screen; restart your PC.
- After restarting the PC, the device reinstallation process would start automatically. If it doesn’t, you have to open Device Manager again (Step # 1-4), right click top node and select Scan for hardware changes.
Check Drive for Errors
Another major possibility is that your USB Flash Drive is corrupted. When the drive fails to read/ write on disk, it crashes your flash drive.
- Double click Computer icon; right click the USB Flash Drive.
- Select Properties from context menu options.
- In the Drive Properties dialog that opens, click Tools tab, and then Check Now button.
- Check-up following boxes:
- Automatically fix file system errors
- Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors
- Click Start to proceed next. The disk error check-up and repair process may take some time.
Scan Drive Using Antivirus
Download a powerful Antivirus program. Update virus definitions and scan your USB Flash Drive for virus, malicious contents, spyware and adware.
Format the Drive
Formatting is a process of erasing everything stored on your drive. Make sure you copy all contents to your hard disk before starting the actual process. Remember, you’ve to close all open windows of your memory stick and any files, programs stored on it.
- Double click Computer icon.
- Right-click the USB Drive, select Format option.
- This opens up Format Drive dialog. Uncheck “Quick format” checkbox and then go ahead and click Start button.