Cruzer Mini 512 Mb Usb Memory Stick

[bungalowbill]

I have a USB memory stick with some important files that was working fine last week, now when I stick it in the USB drive on my lap top nothing happens... it just doesn't show up.

Any suggestions?

[monty]

Tried it in a different PC already?

Might be something wrong with the USB ports or the USB-device detection system on your laptop...

[bungalowbill]

Tried it in a different PC already?

Might be something wrong with the USB ports or the USB-device detection system on your laptop...

It's not that, I have three USB ports and they all work fine. Thanks.

[waldwolf]

bungalowbill - Have you confirmed the USB port(s) are working, by plugging in another device such as a printer, external hard drive or another flash drive? (It is not uncommon for USB controller chip(s) to go bad.)

What is your operating system? Assume your Sandisk Cruzer Mini is actually the Mini model and not the Cruzer Micro (U3) model. (Latter will only boot on Win2K/XP/Vista, unless U3 has been "disabled" using Sandisk software.) If you running Win98/98SE it's possible the driver is damaged and will have to be reinstalled. (Downloadable from Sandisk Support website.)

Check your Device Manager to see if there are any conflicts shown under either "Disk Drives" or "Universal Serial Bus Controller".

With the Flash Drive plugged into one of the USB ports, run "Plug-&-Play" Wizard in CONTROL PANEL>ADD NEW HARDWARE.

Post back your findings.

waldwolf

[bungalowbill]

bungalowbill - Have you confirmed the USB port(s) are working, by plugging in another device such as a printer, external hard drive or another flash drive? (It is not uncommon for USB controller chip(s) to go bad.)

What is your operating system? Assume your Sandisk Cruzer Mini is actually the Mini model and not the Cruzer Micro (U3) model. (Latter will only boot on Win2K/XP/Vista, unless U3 has been "disabled" using Sandisk software.) If you running Win98/98SE it's possible the driver is damaged and will have to be reinstalled. (Downloadable from Sandisk Support website.)

Check your Device Manager to see if there are any conflicts shown under either "Disk Drives" or "Universal Serial Bus Controller".

With the Flash Drive plugged into one of the USB ports, run "Plug-&-Play" Wizard in CONTROL PANEL>ADD NEW HARDWARE.

Post back your findings.

waldwolf

I have windows XP and yes I have confirmed all three ports are working because I use them for my mouse and printer and when I plug in another flash drive stick.. Apacer, it's works fine. I'll try to run plug and play and get back to you. thanks

[bungalowbill]

bungalowbill - Have you confirmed the USB port(s) are working, by plugging in another device such as a printer, external hard drive or another flash drive? (It is not uncommon for USB controller chip(s) to go bad.)

What is your operating system? Assume your Sandisk Cruzer Mini is actually the Mini model and not the Cruzer Micro (U3) model. (Latter will only boot on Win2K/XP/Vista, unless U3 has been "disabled" using Sandisk software.) If you running Win98/98SE it's possible the driver is damaged and will have to be reinstalled. (Downloadable from Sandisk Support website.)

Check your Device Manager to see if there are any conflicts shown under either "Disk Drives" or "Universal Serial Bus Controller".

With the Flash Drive plugged into one of the USB ports, run "Plug-&-Play" Wizard in CONTROL PANEL>ADD NEW HARDWARE.

Post back your findings.

waldwolf

I have windows XP and yes I have confirmed all three ports are working because I use them for my mouse and printer and when I plug in another flash drive stick.. Apacer, it's works fine. I'll try to run plug and play and get back to you. thanks

Ok I tried the plug and play and it says the device is working fine, but flash drive still does not work

[monty]

If it doesn't work on another PC, it's probably gone bad!

Try to see if it shows up in Disk management...

right click on "my computer" -> choose "manage" -> in the left pane expand the storage entry and choose "disk management"

All your drives should show up there, including your removable drive. If it is there you might be able to initialize it, and format the thumbdrive.

If it's not there, it's probably dead...

[nikster]

I have a USB memory stick with some important files that was working fine last week, now when I stick it in the USB drive on my lap top nothing happens... it just doesn't show up.

Any suggestions?

If this has the retarded U3 software installed, you might want to try to uninstall that.

You can download a tool from Sandisk to uninstall U3. Be careful though, I am not sure you will lose data on the stick doing that. I removed U3 from my cruzer micro and its much better for it.

[waldwolf]

bungalowbill - I'm now fearful that there is some internal damage to the flash drive.

As monty suggested earlier, would try to find another computer on which to test the mini.

While there could be many "internal" things in the drive which would cause a problem like your having, I suspect one of the solder connections, between the USB connector on the drive and the internal printed circuit board, has broken and/or a trace on the PC board is cracked (see white arrows on photo). Such problems are common with electrical connectors (ie: earphone jacks) where an item is constantly plugged in and removed. USB flash drives, by nature of their design (length), can put extreme leverage on USB connectors, both at the computer side as well as internally in the flash drive itself.

If the data on the drive is of a critical nature, there are companies who specialize in retreiving same, however, it can be an expensive proceedure. Software is also available which will recover files from "unreadable" CD's, DVD's and Flash Drives, however the drive itself must first be recognized by your operating system, for it to work. As your system doesn't see the flash drive, such recovery software most likely won't work.

.

I wish I could give you more encouragement, however, it now appears the problem is internal to the Flash Drive itself.

waldwolf

[bungalowbill]

bungalowbill - I'm now fearful that there is some internal damage to the flash drive.

As monty suggested earlier, would try to find another computer on which to test the mini.

While there could be many "internal" things in the drive which would cause a problem like your having, I suspect one of the solder connections, between the USB connector on the drive and the internal printed circuit board, has broken and/or a trace on the PC board is cracked (see white arrows on photo). Such problems are common with electrical connectors (ie: earphone jacks) where an item is constantly plugged in and removed. USB flash drives, by nature of their design (length), can put extreme leverage on USB connectors, both at the computer side as well as internally in the flash drive itself.

If the data on the drive is of a critical nature, there are companies who specialize in retreiving same, however, it can be an expensive proceedure. Software is also available which will recover files from "unreadable" CD's, DVD's and Flash Drives, however the drive itself must first be recognized by your operating system, for it to work. As your system doesn't see the flash drive, such recovery software most likely won't work.

.

I wish I could give you more encouragement, however, it now appears the problem is internal to the Flash Drive itself.

waldwolf

Waldwolf, thanks for all your help and advice, and everyone else for their input...looks like I'll have to consider it a loss...thanks

Bungalowbill

[bonsaimax]

My Cruzer Mini gave up on me after a year, I remember the sales person saying that it had a 5 year guarantee, so I took it back. After 2 long months, they gave me a brand new replacement. Well at least it was not a loss.

Try taking it back to where you bought it and hope for the best. Back then, my 128 MB SanDisk was worth, 2300 baht, so it was well worth the trip to the shop. It might not be, in your case.