Control panel — interface for server management

When, when opening a flash drive, memory card or disk, Windows writes: “The location is unavailable… The disk structure is damaged. Reading is not possible”, this almost always means a failure in the service areas of the file system (on the media itself). The files themselves usually do not “disappear,” but the system does not understand how to get to them. 

Next, we looked at two proven scenarios that will help deal with the problem. 

Why does the error appear?

The most common causes of failure are:

• abrupt removal of the flash drive during recording or formatting;
• power outages, PC emergency shutdowns, damaged cables/connectors;
• incorrect operation of third-party markup utilities;
• natural wear and tear of the media.

Recovery without formatting (via CHKDSK)

Goal: regain access to the data and immediately copy it to a safe place.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Type “Command Prompt” in Windows search → right click → “Run as administrator.”

2. Run the scan by substituting your volume letter for D::

chkdsk D: /f /x

The utility will find and correct file system errors (if necessary, temporarily unmount the volume).

If access is restored, immediately make a backup copy of your important files.
For older or “tired” media, the failure may recur. It is convenient to check the status of the SSD using CrystalDiskInfo.

Complete cleanup and new layout (data will be deleted)

Use this option only if the data is not needed or restoring higher did not help. The procedure erases all the entire selected physical disk (including all partitions).

1. Open Command Prompt on behalf of administrator.

2. Execute the commands in order (carefully indicate the number of the exact disk you want to clean). Instead of ntfs, you can choose fat32 or exfat.

diskpart

list disk

select disk DISK_NUMBER

clean

create partition primary

format fs=ntfs quick

assign

exit

The result is a blank media with one working partition in the selected file system.

If commands fail

This may indicate a hardware problem (power, cable, connector, controller). Try:

• another USB port or cable;
• connection to another computer.

If after this the failures persist, there is a high probability of a physical malfunction of the drive itself.

CONTENT:

Similar

All news