@jumanji Caleden Ken recommended I post here and ask for your assistance with my problem.
My 128g lexar USB will not open because the files have been converted to RAW. I get the message that my disk needs to be reformatted. I am using windows 7 home premium. please advise how I can recover the files on my USB.
Much thanks
What do you mean with "doesn't open" you can't even open the drive on explorer?
Raw means it's lost the partition you need free partition recovery and the files will be there after
Hi @F111
1. Do you know in what format it was? NTFS? exfat?
2. Please post a screenshot of Windows Disk Management showing your 128 GB Lexar drive. ( Please remove any other USB storage device/s. Plug in only your 128GB Lexar drive. Do not format. Dismiss that pop-up)
How to Post a Screenshot of Disk Management
3. Download MiniTool Parttion Wizard Free version 9.1 from Download MiniTool Partition Wizard Free Edition 9.1 for windows - Filepuma.com . Install and run. Launch it. Say NO to install any new version. Post a screenshot - the very first screen that appears when you launch it.
Let me see where we stand.
Hi @jumanjiI do not know what the format of the usb was before this happened. It is newer (last five years or so, if that helps)I have attached both screen shots, as requested. Thank you
screem shot minitool partition.pdf
@F111,
I have seen the screeenshots.
Your Lexar 128GB flash drive has a drive letter L:. That means the partition exists. So no partition recovery is applicable.. The file system is corrupted.
We shall try to fix it using TestDisk.
I shall write a detailed post which you can perhaps see after another twelve hours.
If you are still awake, you may go to sleep now.
Hi @F111,
Download the latest stable version 7.1 from TestDisk - CGSecurity Extract the testdisk-7.1.win.zip to the root of your system drive C:. You will run testdisk_win.exe in the extracted testdisk-7.1 folder. TestDisk should be run with administrator privileges - Run as administrator (you may create a shortcut on your desktop)
Do read my post here WD Elements being read as RAW // Contents readable through app - Windows 10 Forums.
Go upto screen 6 which will show the status of the Volume Boot Sector
I repeat the steps here specific to your case.
Screen1: [No Log] Press Enter ( You will use the Up/Down Left/Right arrow keys to highlight/select any field in the TestDisk windows)
Screen 2: Highlight/Select your 128GB Lexar flash drive (identified by its capacity) [Proceed] is already highlighted. Press Enter
Screen 3: Highlight/Select [INTEL] (if it is not highlighted already) Enter
Screen 4: Highlight/Select [Advanced] Enter
Screen 5: Does this screen show your single partition highlighted? Is [Boot] highlighted? Enter
Screen 6: will show the status of the Boot sector and Backup boot sector. Further action will depend on their status.
Post screenshots of screen 5 and screen 6.
You may at anytime close TestDisk by pressing Q, or clicking on X on the leftside of the title bar.
Last edited by jumanji; 14 Jun 2022 at 12:20.
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