USB Memory Stick Error

USB memory stick errors are very common and occur due to a number of reasons. For the layperson, it can be a huge pain when suddenly it stops showing on the computer, or even worse starts producing cryptic error messages such as "Code 43" or "Code 10" or "CRC Error". Although from the outside these devices look different, from the inside the electronic design and components are often the same. I am therefore able to fix almost any make of memory stick failure.

And the Church needs a miracle...

This is about how I perform regular miracles and get myself into trouble simultaneously. I was just sitting down to have a nice cup of Earl Grey when suddenly there was a loud banging at the front door. It was Father Clarke! It is not like him to make two visits within a month hence this must be important I thought.

As soon as I opened the door he spoke in a very loud Brian Blessed style voice, "USB memory stick error not working!"

"Hello Father Clarke, and how are you today?" I asked politely.

"USB Memory Stick error not recognised!" he repeated again sounding like a badly designed robot.

"Have you tried switching OFF the computer and rebooting?" I say smugly, meaning go away and do not bother me.

"Memory stick not detected." He repeats ignoring my question.

It is not like him to talk in short sentences unless he is very upset. He is normally very loud and can talk for hours; hence, this must be very serious.

"Mother Mary, Joseph... The Church accounts are on this and without it we’re done for!" He explains.

"Well if you want the data recovered you are speaking to all the wrong people. Did you not make copies of your data?" I asked.

"No! The guy I bought this from said these newfangled gadgets lasted forever" he replies.

"Well, nothing is forever... Where did you buy this from?" I asked.

"A seller on eBay." he replied.

"Well, there is your answer. Always be careful when buying memory stick on eBay. There are many sellers with fake memory sticks. Have you tried data recovery services? They are good at these things; many of them operate on a no-fix no-fee basis."

"Yes, they said it was dead."

"If the professionals say nothing can be done then I do not see what I can do." I reply.

"Yes, but I know you have a special way with computers and if anyone can fix it then you are the only one who can. And the Church needs a miracle right now."

"I am fresh out of miracles today, however I shall do my best." I say very humbly.

"That’s all I ask." He replies, as he quietly walks away looking depressed.

I felt very sorry for him. Losing the accounts has clearly upset him because he is normally very loud and jolly.

Occasionally, if something is very important, I will perform microelectronic surgery. It is my only ace card and it looks like I am going to have to play it.

Diagnostic

The cheapest and fastest way to determine if it is the memory stick that is faulty or the computer is by testing it on another computer. If the memory works on another computer then consider yourself lucky. All you have to do is make sure your USB port hardware on the computer is working. Often the +5 V power circuit on the motherboard fails. Often, the USB drivers become corrupted and need re-installing. There are many guides online to show how to reinstall the USB drivers.

Removable Disc Icon

When you tested the memory stick on different machines, did you see the Removable Disk icon in the My Computer folder? If you did not see it on any of the machines then you need to focus on USB plug soldering on the PCB of the memory stick. Perhaps even re-solder them, as this is often where the problem is. You can see this in the following sections of this article.

If the Removable Disk icon did appear, then go the next section below.

Will Not Format

When you double click on the "Removable Disk" icon does a message box appear indicating, "Please insert a disk into drive." If you saw this box then there is a strong possibility that one or more components on the memory stick have failed. Some computers may display a box offering to format the drive, and when you select yes, it cannot format and another box appears prompting you to insert a disk into the drive. These types of errors generally mean that the computer was unable to mount the file system and therefore access it. Usually these types of errors are associated with a USB connection problem or a component failure within the memory stick. Sometimes an incorrect flash of the memory stick can also render it unusable requiring a replacement microcontroller chip. Electronic component level repair is most likely to be required in such situations.

Corrupted

If on the other hand, when you double-click on the "Removable Disk" icon and an empty folder opens up, and all of your files are missing, then it is very likely that it is simply a corruption of the data storage system. Data recovery software often works and recovers all the data in this case.

The following sections of this article may shed some light into the components to look at in situations when a hardware failure is more likely.

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