Files On Flash Drive Don't Show

[ChiangMaiThai]

When I open my flash drive it doesn't show any files at all - totally blank. But when I check properties, it shows that 15GB is being used. (It is a 64 GB flash drive). I tried data recovery software and it found some old stuff that amounted to 2Gigs, but the 15 Gigs of content is nowhere to be seen. I have checked view hidden files and folders. Any ideas?

[sensei]

If you are using Windows, install Windirstat. That would show everything on a disk and its file size.

[webfact]

Assuming you are using Windows and not MAC OS I suggest you copy a file to your drive!

Report back if you can copy and view it it or not.

[webfact]

You can also try a free program called TreeSize to investigate.

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/treesize.html

[ChiangMaiThai]

If you are using Windows, install Windirstat. That would show everything on a disk and its file size.

ok, I used this and from within the program I can see the 16GB worth of data. They are all .CHK files. How do I open these?

[ChiangMaiThai]

Assuming you are using Windows and not MAC OS I suggest you copy a file to your drive!

Report back if you can copy and view it it or not.

Yes I can copy and paste as usual. It's just these 16GB that seem to be hiding from me...

[webfact]

If you are using Windows, install Windirstat. That would show everything on a disk and its file size.

ok, I used this and from within the program I can see the 16GB worth of data. They are all .CHK files. How do I open these?

these are files which where found/created during a disk check operation! Chkdsk /drive.

File fragments cleaned from the disk. When you run the DOS or Windows disk checking programs they can find errors and may write these out as file fragments in .CHK files. Often these can be deleted as the information is elsewhere on your hard disk. Sometimes, however, you need to recover information from a .CHK file (or files). Use UnCHK and/or FileCHK to help you do this. source: http://filext.com/file-extension/CHK

This can happen after a system crash/restart when windows checks automatically all drives.

Your flash drive was plugged-in.

Theses are found crosslinked files, files fragments etc. I always delete them but you can look into it when you

open it with notepad, maybe you can identify some text. If not important - delete it!

Also I suggest to reformat your drive. Format NTFS

Edited April 14, 2009 by webfact

[Tywais]

If not important - delete it!

Also I suggest to reformat your drive. Format NTFS

Seconded on reformat. The .chk files are there because of a problem found during a scan. Also be sure to always click on "Safely Remove Device" before pulling the flash out. XP has some safety features to help protect direct removal but found it not always reliable.

[ChiangMaiThai]

If you are using Windows, install Windirstat. That would show everything on a disk and its file size.

ok, I used this and from within the program I can see the 16GB worth of data. They are all .CHK files. How do I open these?

these are files which where found/created during a disk check operation! Chkdsk /drive.

File fragments cleaned from the disk. When you run the DOS or Windows disk checking programs they can find errors and may write these out as file fragments in .CHK files. Often these can be deleted as the information is elsewhere on your hard disk. Sometimes, however, you need to recover information from a .CHK file (or files). Use UnCHK and/or FileCHK to help you do this. source: http://filext.com/file-extension/CHK

This can happen after a system crash/restart when windows checks automatically all drives.

Your flash drive was plugged-in.

Theses are found crosslinked files, files fragments etc. I always delete them but you can look into it when you

open it with notepad, maybe you can identify some text. If not important - delete it!

Also I suggest to reformat your drive. Format NTFS

Thanks! I was able to delete all the CHK files. I now have 64GB available on my drive BUT before that I copied some CHK files and pasted them into a folder on the drive to try and rescue them. Now I want to delete, but it will not let me. Also, tried to format. Nothing happens. Any advice?

[Tywais]

Now I want to delete, but it will not let me. Also, tried to format. Nothing happens. Any advice?

Do you have administrative privileges with your login account?

[webfact]

If you are using Windows, install Windirstat. That would show everything on a disk and its file size.

ok, I used this and from within the program I can see the 16GB worth of data. They are all .CHK files. How do I open these?

these are files which where found/created during a disk check operation! Chkdsk /drive.

File fragments cleaned from the disk. When you run the DOS or Windows disk checking programs they can find errors and may write these out as file fragments in .CHK files. Often these can be deleted as the information is elsewhere on your hard disk. Sometimes, however, you need to recover information from a .CHK file (or files). Use UnCHK and/or FileCHK to help you do this. source: http://filext.com/file-extension/CHK

This can happen after a system crash/restart when windows checks automatically all drives.

Your flash drive was plugged-in.

Theses are found crosslinked files, files fragments etc. I always delete them but you can look into it when you

open it with notepad, maybe you can identify some text. If not important - delete it!

Also I suggest to reformat your drive. Format NTFS

Thanks! I was able to delete all the CHK files. I now have 64GB available on my drive BUT before that I copied some CHK files and pasted them into a folder on the drive to try and rescue them. Now I want to delete, but it will not let me. Also, tried to format. Nothing happens. Any advice?

Safely remove the drive. Restart your computer. Plug-in your drive and delete that folder or better, immediately FORMAT.

You can also "unlock" your files with this little free program which does the perfect job. http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

Another approach - format on another PC. It will work. Good luck!

Edited April 14, 2009 by webfact

[ChiangMaiThai]

Thanks. On this computer and another computer, when I select format it gives me the NTFS option. It starts formatting and gets to the end and says 'Windows was unable to complete the format'.

Should I throw away this new 64GB flash drive?

[webfact]

If all fails, check your admin privileges. Use this free tool to format your FD

HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool - v2.1.8 - http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php?f=197

also try a format on DOS level!

Before you throw it away.... report back...

Edited April 14, 2009 by webfact

[ChiangMaiThai]

If all fails, check your admin privileges. Use this free tool to format your FD

HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool - v2.1.8 - http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php?f=197

also try a format on DOS level!

Before you throw it away.... report back...

The HP program did it. Thank you! What a headache. I formatted it with FAT32. Any problems there?

[webfact]

If all fails, check your admin privileges. Use this free tool to format your FD

HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool - v2.1.8 - http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php?f=197

also try a format on DOS level!

Before you throw it away.... report back...

The HP program did it. Thank you! What a headache. I formatted it with FAT32. Any problems there?

Yes and no. If you got the chance to format NTFS go ahead. I personally would do it.

Edited April 14, 2009 by webfact

[ChiangMaiThai]

But with NTSF it sounds like you get real problems if you forget to eject the disk safely. FAT32 if I understand correct can handle it if the drive is pulled out without being warned. Is that right? Thanks!

[webfact]

But with NTSF it sounds like you get real problems if you forget to eject the disk safely. FAT32 if I understand correct can handle it if the drive is pulled out without being warned. Is that right? Thanks!

look at post #8. To be frank I never got any problem (yet) if I not removed "safely" but pulled the plug...

So I pointed to post #8. It's possible without. If you feel save with FAT32, you don't do wrong.

addition: consider this. The settings are for the computer you use. On another PC it might be necessary for remove "safely"

because of the specific settings there. So, no general rule IMO

Edited April 14, 2009 by webfact