- Location
- Western Massachusetts
Alright, I'm calling on all you tech savy guys and gals. I need some major help. I've got a flash drive that I use at work, it's got tens of thousands of CAD files, drawings, some CNC programs, etc. saved on it and the other day it decided to stop working. The drive can't be read on any computer I've tried it on, my machine won't read it, the lathe won't read it, nothing.
When you first plug the flash drive into the USB slot, the light turns on for a half a second or less, then turns off and that's it.
I removed the outer case from the chip to inspect the solder joints, because I know the drive is old and has seen better days. There are 2 little ears that connect the rectangular part of the drive to the chip, the solder joints there look ok - could be better, but not separated. The 4 solder joints that connect the pins inside the rectangular plug to the chip all look a little thin and there's a clear crack across one of them, but it doesn't look like it goes all the way through.
Given the condition of the solder joints, I'm not completely ruling out physical damage, but I fear the drive may be kaputz.
Anybody know any tips, tricks, secrets, repairs, magic tricks, or have any spare voodoo you care to share? I'm all ears.
I NEED these files. They were all backed up to another thumb drive until some asshat swiped it so this is my last hope.
When you first plug the flash drive into the USB slot, the light turns on for a half a second or less, then turns off and that's it.
I removed the outer case from the chip to inspect the solder joints, because I know the drive is old and has seen better days. There are 2 little ears that connect the rectangular part of the drive to the chip, the solder joints there look ok - could be better, but not separated. The 4 solder joints that connect the pins inside the rectangular plug to the chip all look a little thin and there's a clear crack across one of them, but it doesn't look like it goes all the way through.
Given the condition of the solder joints, I'm not completely ruling out physical damage, but I fear the drive may be kaputz.
Anybody know any tips, tricks, secrets, repairs, magic tricks, or have any spare voodoo you care to share? I'm all ears.
I NEED these files. They were all backed up to another thumb drive until some asshat swiped it so this is my last hope.