I'm a typical home user with limited technical knowledge, using a MacBook. I have an old flash drive that seems to be failing and contains some important video footage. The playback has been jerky and sometimes the drive disappears when I try to move files. I've already tried a couple of data recovery programs, but they're quite expensive in Australian dollars. I just need a simple solution to recover my files without breaking the bank. Any suggestions?
2 Answers
If you're looking for free recovery options, Recuva is a solid choice. Just be cautious not to run recovery software directly on the failing drive, as it might cause more damage. Instead, try connecting it via a USB2.0 port or even a USB1.1 if available. Copy one file at a time slowly to avoid it unmounting. You can even cool the drive with a fan while transferring.
First off, try copying the files instead of moving them. Copying is safer as it won't affect the files on the failing drive. As for speed, it might be worth investing in a USB3 M.2 SSD if you often deal with larger files, but if you don’t mind slow transfer, a standard USB3 drive should do. Just be sure to test any new drive thoroughly when it arrives, as sometimes you can get faulty units even if they appear fine.
Thanks for the tip! So just select the files, copy them, and paste them elsewhere, right? Got it. I'm not overly concerned about speed, just want to save my clips before the drive completely fails.
I appreciate the advice! I wasn't aware about the risks of running recovery software directly on the drive, but I'll definitely give Recuva a shot and try copy one file at a time. Thanks!