Question:

I’m seeking guidance on a pressing issue with my USB flash drive. It was functioning flawlessly across multiple computers until recently, when I transferred an image file to it. Since then, the drive appears to be malfunctioning. Upon connection, I’m prompted with ‘Check and Repair’ or ‘Continue without scanning’ options. The drive briefly appears in the file explorer before causing the system to freeze.

In the device manager, the drive is momentarily recognized before displaying an ‘unknown device error setting address’ message. Additionally, I encounter the error ‘Dieses Gerät wurde angehalten, weil es Fehler gemeldet hat. (Code 43).’ If I act quickly upon insertion, the error doesn’t immediately appear but surfaces shortly after.

Attempts to run CHKDSK are futile as the drive disconnects itself, presenting the aforementioned error. My concern is the potential loss of valuable source code stored on the drive.

As a side note, I’ve disassembled the USB drive to inspect for hardware issues but found none.

Your expertise on this matter would be greatly appreciated, as I am eager to recover my data without causing further damage to the drive.”

Feel free to use this version to seek assistance from tech experts. Good luck with your USB drive!

Answer:

USB flash drives are a convenient way to store and transfer data, but they can sometimes encounter issues that prevent them from functioning correctly. In this article, we’ll address a common problem where a USB drive starts malfunctioning after transferring an image file to it.

Symptoms

The issue begins with the drive being recognized only momentarily by the computer, followed by prompts to ‘Check and Repair’ or ‘Continue without scanning’. The drive appears in the file explorer for a short duration before the system freezes. The device manager displays an ‘unknown device error setting address’ message, and the error ‘Dieses Gerät wurde angehalten, weil es Fehler gemeldet hat. (Code 43)’ is encountered. The drive disconnects itself, making CHKDSK checks impossible, leading to concerns about the loss of valuable data, such as source code.

Possible Causes

The problem described could be due to several factors:

–

Corrupted File System

: The image file transferred might have been corrupted, causing the file system on the drive to become unstable.

–

Hardware Issues

: Despite not finding any apparent hardware issues upon inspection, there could be subtle problems like micro fractures in the circuit board or soldering issues.

–

Driver Conflicts

: If the drive was used across multiple computers, driver conflicts could arise, especially if the systems have different operating systems or updates.

Solutions

Here are some steps you can take to try and recover your data:

1.

Use Data Recovery Software

: There are various data recovery tools available that can help recover files from malfunctioning drives.

2.

Try Different Computers

: Connect the drive to different computers to see if the issue persists across all systems.

3.

Update Drivers

: Ensure that the USB drivers on your computer are up to date.

4.

Safe Removal

: Always use the ‘Safely Remove Hardware’ option before unplugging the drive to prevent file system corruption.

5.

Professional Help

: If the data is particularly valuable, consider seeking professional data recovery services.

Prevention

To prevent such issues in the future, always back up your data regularly, use reputable antivirus software to scan files before transferring them to your drive, and safely eject the drive from the computer.

Conclusion

USB drives are prone to issues that can lead to data loss. By following the steps outlined above, you can attempt to resolve the problem and recover your valuable data. If all else fails, professional data recovery services are your best bet for retrieving lost files.

Disclaimer

: This article provides general advice and cannot guarantee the recovery of your data. If the data is critical, professional data recovery services are recommended. Always back up your data to avoid such situations.