Jump drive fail

[OldSkool]

So I plugged in my 500GB Seagate jump drive to start my training class this morning and the think just crackled and the dreaded blue screen appeared on the laptop. After unplugging the drive the laptop returned to normal except the back up file and jump drive are fried.

Lost every bit of 2 years worth of training programs and power points I developed. So much for backing up. I do have all base training on a third back up system but all my research pictures and documents are gone.

Now for the really bad news. All my boat pics are gone. All that is left are the one on my profile here.

The question is, can the jump drive be recovered? Would the geeks at Best Buy know anything bout it? I really only care about the boat pics. I can always get the training stuff but not the pictures.

 

[mwph]

I have a jump drive that has been through the washer & dryer. Those things are robust. You might want to make sure the port it plugs in to is ok. As for recovery, I'm pretty sure that if it is indeed dead, well, it's dead.

 

[OldSkool]

I have a jump drive that has been through the washer & dryer. Those things are robust. You might want to make sure the port it plugs in to is ok. As for recovery, I'm pretty sure that if it is indeed dead, well, it's dead.

I tried using a new USB cable and different port with no change. Laptop still locks up when the cable is plugged in. Once I unplug the laptop screen comes back.

 

[Tonka Boater]

So I plugged in my 500GB Seagate jump drive to start my training class this morning and the think just crackled and the dreaded blue screen appeared on the laptop. After unplugging the drive the laptop returned to normal except the back up file and jump drive are fried.

Lost every bit of 2 years worth of training programs and power points I developed. So much for backing up. I do have all base training on a third back up system but all my research pictures and documents are gone.

Now for the really bad news. All my boat pics are gone. All that is left are the one on my profile here.

The question is, can the jump drive be recovered? Would the geeks at Best Buy know anything bout it? I really only care about the boat pics. I can always get the training stuff but not the pictures.

Yes, the data can be recovered but it might cost a few $$$. The less you mess with it the better your chances of getting the data and photos back. I would not trust Best Buy with anything... but that's me.

Look into someone like Kroll Ontrack (http://www.krollontrack.com/data-recovery/) or Drive Savers (https://www.drivesaversdatarecovery.com). You might have a local Data Doctors near you... (http://www.datadoctors.com/data-recovery)

It won't help now but for the future I use Carbonite (www.carbonite.com) to continuously backup my data. Carbonite + Dropbox = I never worry about losing data.

Good luck!!!

 

[PMC]

I've used drive savers before, and would recommend. I lost a laptop HD years ago with months of development work...needless to say my backup plan was poor (and corrupt). They opened the HD and recovered the data. Yes it was expensive, but worth every penny.

Send the device, they can let you know how recoverable it is.... The more you muck with it, the harder it is to retrieve the data.

 

[FLSunfish]

Please excuse the plug, but this is my nephew's business. He's the owner president of Flashdrivepros.com
They have an excellent recovery rate and have been in business since 2009.
Hope this helps.

 

[OneMoreHour]

There is a good chance a data recovery service can get your data back. Do NOT take it to Best Buy. Here are a few companies I would recommend:
http://www.datarecoverygroup.com/
https://www.drivesaversdatarecovery.com/
http://www.krollontrack.com/data-recovery/

Unfortunately, these services are expensive. It could be anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. Most recoveries I have been involved with have been in the $1200-$2000 range.

I know it doesn't help you now, but for your and everyone else’s future use; please, please, please do not rely on just a single backup drive for important data. I see USB hard drives fail all the time. These drives are great for backups as long as they are working, but they are not the most reliable devices. These drives get banged around, run hot due to the enclosures, are susceptible to static damage, and can easily be lost or stolen. USB flash drive are more reliable, but they can still very easily be lost.

Always make sure you have backups on a least a couple of different backup drives located in separate locations, and/or use a reliable online backup service.