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Question

USB drive

Apr 1, 2017 12:18PM PDT

I have a USB drive (thumb drive) that I keep photos on. It has 5 folders that contained anywhere from a few dozen to almost 10,000 photos. The largest folder (that had contained almost 10,000 photos) now contains less than 1000. I don't know what happened to them. Right clicking on the drive and selecting "Properties" shows a pie chart that indicates the amount of space used on the drive hasn't changed so it looks like the photos are still there but I just can't see them. Any ideas? Virus? Any help would be appreciated! Thank you!

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
where did you buy this USB thumb drive?
Apr 1, 2017 1:15PM PDT

If on EBay you may have bought a "fake" one that's been changed to lie about it's size. Google "EBay Fake Flash".

If you bought in Best Buy or another large retailer, then your next step is to check with Photo Rec, Recuva, and Test Disk.

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thanks
Apr 1, 2017 1:31PM PDT

I don't remember where I got it but it was either Staples or MicroCenter. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll try them.

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Answer
Ouch. Where's the backup?
Apr 1, 2017 1:09PM PDT

A single copy is just asking for trouble. One wrong move and gone.

Try Recuva next. It's noted at the Lost and Found post at the top of the CNET Storage Forum. Lots of tutorials and ... it's free.

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thanks
Apr 1, 2017 1:34PM PDT

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll try them.
I do have backups but its just a pain in the butt to copy them off of a hundred or so old CDs and hard drives from the dozen or so computers I've used over the past 20 years.

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Backups
Apr 1, 2017 2:43PM PDT

I don't think that copying all the files from the original source is quite what Robert meant.

After you get this sorted get another flash stick or better yet two sticks.
Clone or sync the work stick to the other stick(s).

That way if the work stick goes south you have a copy ready to go.

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That's "hard" backup.
Apr 1, 2017 2:47PM PDT

At least there's an exit plan.

Hope Recuva saves you some work.