REQUEST HELP: data recovery for a flash drive - several folders appear empty

[HanoiBoi]

I've googled, but came up with too many options/results and I'm not sure which to trust, so I turning to the forum, assuming someone will have some decent knowledge on this.

I've got a flash drive (64GB) that essentially contains all of my family photos.  (I was recently reducing dupliates in an effort to consolidate, then, once organized, copy to a backup drive).

So, for our Christmas card, I was pulling out some family pics from 2014 to build our Christmas card.  All of a sudden, many of the files in several folders, were 'gone'.  The flash drive is still accessible and I'm viewing everything as 'unhidden'.  Quite a few folders appear blank, as in 0 files, 0 bytes - not just the 2014 folder that I was pulling from, but also 2013, 2012, etc. back to about 2007, but 2006 and prior seem okay.

Its a 64GB flash drive.  When viewing properties of the entire flash drive, it shows 59gb filled.  When I view properties of the main directory 'Photos' within, it shows 7gb.  The 59gb gives me reason to believe I can recover the files, but really need to know the best way to do so.

I'm concerned that if I 'try' something that isn't necessarily recommended that I could dig myself a deeper hole.

Any suggestions?  Any experience with any specific programs?

[yotsuya]

I've used a program called GetDataBack successfully with hard drives, but I've never used it with flash drives. However, it does work and might be a good starting point.

[JDFan]

Have you checked your Recycle Bin ?? -- could be they got deleted accidentally but have just been placed in the recycle bin - If they have been then you should be able to recover them from the recycle bin if you haven't already saved other things to the drive.

[SavannahLion]

 TestDisk and PhotoRec by CGSecurity is pretty thorough. I successfully recovered photos from a trashed SDCard spanning nearly five years. I can't see a solid state drive being that much different. ??

Are you sure you didn't accidentally move the directories elsewhere, into a different folder?

[HanoiBoi]

The files aren't in the recycle bin and they weren't accidentally moved.  I had already copied about 15 pictures to a folder on my desktop (of my laptop).  I tried searching for those file names on all drives, but only see the copies.

Remember, properties of the drive show 59gb, but the folders within show as just 7gb.  It's definitely something drive related.

This is a USB flash drive, not a solid state drive (SSD).

Some of my Google results mention stuff like 'if all else fails, take it to a specialist'.  I have to imagine someone like that would be using a program similar to what I need...

[Louis Tully]

.

[SavannahLion]

The files aren't in the recycle bin and they weren't accidentally moved.  I had already copied about 15 pictures to a folder on my desktop (of my laptop).  I tried searching for those file names on all drives, but only see the copies.

Remember, properties of the drive show 59gb, but the folders within show as just 7gb.  It's definitely something drive related.

This is a USB flash drive, not a solid state drive (SSD).

Some of my Google results mention stuff like 'if all else fails, take it to a specialist'.  I have to imagine someone like that would be using a program similar to what I need...

My bad about the SSD comment.

I have successfully recovered data off of a USB flash drive using the tools I mention. I should, however, mention one critical bit of information I left out. Whatever tool you use, make sure the tool dumps the recovered data onto different storage other than the one you're trying to recover from. I think TestDisk has a specific check to prevent that exact scenario but it's been a while since I needed to do something like that.

[DeLuSioNal29]

I have Nero Platinum for Windows 7 (can't recall the version), but it has a Flash Drive data recovery app built in.  I've used it successfully to recover files I've deleted by mistake.

I have a coupon for 50% off.  PM me if you need the link.

Also, if you want, you can mail me the flash drive and I can try to recover any files for you using the software.  I can toss them onto my 1TB Dropbox account.

Edit:  I found the manual online here:  http://ftp6.nero.com/user_guides/nero9/rescueagent/NeroRescueAgent_Eng.pdf

DeLuSioNaL29

[HanoiBoi]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, and for the offer Delusional.

I actually tried recuva to no avail, sadly.  I'll look into TestDisk, PhotoRec and Nero Platinum, but I don't have win7.  Good tip on dumping recovered files elsewhere.  I certainly hope I get to that point!

Hey, do you think it would matter which PC I use when attempting to recover?  That is, should I use the same laptop I was using when the issue occurred, or should I use a different laptop, or shouldnt it matter?

Also, someone suggested possibly chkdsk, but not sure he understood all the details.  Any validity in going a built in Windows route to try recovering?

As long as I don't make it worse, I'm holding out hope and being patient about finding the right/best resolution.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Just be careful. The more you mess with it the more it has a chance for system files to overwrite areas of the flash drive where you pictures were. You can only recover files In those areas of the flash drive that have not been overwritten.

[SavannahLion]

As an aside.

Don't the modern windows system hide files if you're not the owner and R/W permissions aren't set?

I'm not sure about that, I truly hate how Windows manages permissions. It feels like a damn kludge no matter what they do.