Urgently need data from a broken usb stick

Serendipity121

My granddaughter stored all her college assignments on a usb stick which has broken and she urgently needs the data for next Monday. Is there anybody who could retrieve the data for her over the weekend? She's willing to travel for this service.

zl1whqvjs75cdy

What level of broken we talking? Like through a washing machine broken, won't read broken, snapped in half broken?

kirving

If the USB connection on the front is physically snapped and there are only 4 broken solder joints, it *may* be repairable for cheap enough.

Anything more serious, and it's down to long and expensive data recovery experts - not by Monday unfortunately.

Stupid question - is any of it backed up anywhere?

Serendipity121

donkeyoaty0099 wrote: »

What level of broken we talking? Like through a washing machine broken, won't read broken, snapped in half broken?

The key has two ends on it, One end is a regular USB and the other is a micro USB. The regular USB connection has broken off. I attempted to plug the micro end into a tablet but it is not being recognised. Someone attempted to solder the connector back on but it didn't work.

Serendipity121

Kevin Irving wrote: »

If the USB connection on the front is physically snapped and there are only 4 broken solder joints, it *may* be repairable for cheap enough.

Anything more serious, and it's down to long and expensive data recovery experts - not by Monday unfortunately.

Stupid question - is any of it backed up anywhere?

This is Serendipity121's granddaughter. No I did not have the more recent filed backed up, which is why I am looking for it to be recovered urgently.
It is only the connector that is not a clean break, and someone has already attempted to solder the connector back on but it didn't work.

Crimson King

Maybe try to get a micro usb to USB adapter and try it in a pc?

ED E

Soldering it badly can damage the chip, you have to be sparing or it'll get too hot.

Get a phone that supports USB OTG, connect it via the micro usb. If it works great, if not the board is likely dead.

Serendipity121

Crimson King wrote: »

Maybe try to get a micro usb to USB adapter and try it in a pc?

I have one ordered but unfortunately it wont be here til Monday afternoon and I need the files by Monday Morning.

Crimson King

Serendipity121 wrote: »

I have one ordered but unfortunately it wont be here til Monday afternoon and I need the files by Monday Morning.

Try going to a bigger pc store like pc world. Or even try the micro us bin a few devices, download a decent file explorer app for the android device as this 'may' help recognise the device.

Serendipity121

ED E wrote: »

Soldering it badly can damage the chip, you have to be sparing or it'll get too hot.

Get a phone that supports USB OTG, connect it via the micro usb. If it works great, if not the board is likely dead.

I tried it in my Nexus which supports USB OTG and it didn't work.

Serendipity121

Crimson King wrote: »

Try going to a bigger pc store like pc world. Or even try the micro us bin a few devices, download a decent file explorer app for the android device as this 'may' help recognise the device.

I looked on PC World's website and they didn't have a connector. I have an app on my Nexus but it won't read the broken usb stick.

First Up

Not sure where you are based but if Dublin, somewhere like Laser in Dundrum are pretty resourceful. But 5pm on a Saturday not ideal.

Serendipity121

First Up wrote: »

Not sure where you are based but if Dublin, somewhere like Laser in Dundrum are pretty resourceful. But 5pm on a Saturday not ideal.

Pity I didn't know sooner. I would have gladly travelled to Dublin. Thanks.

First Up

Serendipity121 wrote:

Pity I didn't know sooner. I would have gladly travelled to Dublin. Thanks.

I'm not guaranteeing they can help!

Serendipity121

Thanks to everybody who posted replies on my thread. I can now report that the problem has now been resolved, thanks to Liam Begley of LimerickComputers.ie I left the usb stick into him just before lunch today and he had all the data retrieved and put onto a new usb stick by 6pm this evening. Needless to say, my granddaughter is over the moon. All her hard work for the past year that she needs for exams has been saved.

Skatedude

Please tell me you have now backed it up?

Jayop

Good to hear it's resolved.

Serendipity121

Skatedude wrote: »

Please tell me you have now backed it up?

Not me - my granddaughter. And yes, she's learned her lesson, the hard way, and has backed it up.