SanDisk U3 updater malfunction! I need my files!

Discussion in 'Application Software' started by frantic about lost data!, Jan 30, 2008.

  1. frantic about lost data!

    Jan 30, 2008
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    Hi

    I am pretty good with computers, but am no programmer or computer scientist. Here's what happened:
    * I put my sandisk usb drive into a usb port.
    *It told me I needed to update my launchpad software.
    *I said OK. Updating is generally a good thing.
    *It told me it was going to back up my files, and for me not to remove the drive in the process of installation, or else everything will be wiped out.
    *I said OK, and it began to back up and reformat the drive.
    *Then, without warning, it told me that I had removed the drive, and that the only way to possibly recover my files would be to reinstall the installation software. (I had not touched the drive!)
    *I found the LPinstaller software on a website and reinstalled it.
    *The drive now appears to be blank.

    Where did the application back my files up to? How can I recover my information??? Thanks sooooo much for any help you can provide!!!
     
  2. ancestor(v)

    ancestor(v) Admin
    Staff Member

    Jun 26, 2007
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    Have you tried any recovery tools?
     
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  3. frantic about lost data!

    Jan 30, 2008
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    I just ran the Data Doctor Recovery Pen Drive (demo), and it just told me that all I've got on the disk are the default folders of a blank drive (Documents/Music/Pictures/Videos, etc). Is there a chance that the drive backed up the files onto my C drive? It aborted when it got to the "Reformatting drive" stage of installation, after it had already backed the files up. After it aborted it told me I needed to reinstall the installation tool if I wanted any hope of seeing my files again, which I did to no avail. I'm wondering if it says it had backed the files up, where are they? Do you recommend a different data recovery tool? Thanks so much for your helpful advice!
     
  4. ancestor(v)

    ancestor(v) Admin
    Staff Member

    Jun 26, 2007
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  5. frantic about lost data!

    Jan 30, 2008
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    The second one you recommended is the same that I had already tried. I just downloaded the first one, and the only thing it recovered was the installer file for U3. I think all my data really is gone, unless it was backed up somewhere on my C drive, and not the usb drive (which is where I tried to recover the data from). If you or anyone else has any other suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Thanks again for your help.
     
  6. ancestor(v)

    ancestor(v) Admin
    Staff Member

    Jun 26, 2007
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    Mhmm...this is critical. Does SanDisk provide any information?

    Second Option: there are companies specialised on rescuing "lost" data. It's on you to decide wether you do it that way or not.
     
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  7. blckparade

    blckparade MDL Novice

    Mar 4, 2008
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    Recovering Your Lost Files

    The exact thing just happened to me, and I was able to find the location of my lost files after talking with Sandisk.

    My files were in this location:
    C:\Documents and Settings\Ben (OR YOUR USER LOGIN NAME)\Application Data\U3\temp\47ccc6b20\Documents

    Hope that helps,

    Ben
     
  8. phacoba

    phacoba MDL Novice

    Nov 6, 2008
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    Thank you very much
     
  9. datcat

    datcat MDL Member

    Sep 10, 2008
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    May I suggest a "pro" tool?

    WinHex v15.x

    "WinHex is in its core a universal hexadecimal editor, particularly helpful
    in the realm of computer forensics, data recovery, low-level data
    processing, and IT security. An advanced tool for everyday and emergency
    use: inspect and edit all kinds of files, recover deleted files or lost
    data from hard drives with corrupt file systems or from digital camera
    cards."

    -Was this of any help for you? :):eek:
    -POST HERE, LET US KNOW how it went!
    ...