Verbatim USB flash drives are widely used for storing important documents, photos, and personal data. However, when a USB drive becomes stuck in RAW format, it often indicates file system corruption, partition table damage, or flash memory failure, making stored data inaccessible.
This case study details how we successfully recovered critical files from a Verbatim 4GB USB flash drive, after multiple recovery attempts by the client failed.
As Guildford Data Recovery, Surrey’s oldest and best data recovery company, we have 25 years of experience using chip-off NAND extraction, file system reconstruction, and deep forensic data recovery techniques to restore lost USB flash drive data securely.
Verbatim USB Stuck in RAW Format & Not Recoverable with Software
A client in Guildford contacted us after their Verbatim USB flash drive became unreadable, with the following issues:
- The USB drive was detected as RAW format.
- Multiple recovery software programs, including EaseUS, failed to retrieve data.
- Formatting the USB via Disk Management, DISKPART, and other tools did not work.
- The drive was recognised in Windows as “Disk 2, Basic MBR,” but showed 0 bytes used.
- Plugging the USB into different computers had no effect.
Since RAW file system errors indicate severe corruption, an immediate professional data recovery solution was required.
Diagnosis & Evaluation
When the Verbatim 4GB USB flash drive arrived at our secure cleanroom facility, we conducted a full hardware and logical diagnostic. Our findings:
- File system corruption (FAT32/NTFS errors) – Preventing the USB from being recognized.
- Partition table damage (MBR corruption) – Making the drive appear unallocated.
- No physical damage detected, meaning data recovery was possible through raw sector-level extraction.
Since continuing to use a RAW USB drive risks overwriting lost data, we prioritized non-intrusive data extraction techniques.
The Recovery Process
1. Cloning & Imaging the USB Drive to Prevent Data Loss
To preserve all recoverable data, we:
- Created a sector-by-sector forensic clone of the Verbatim USB flash drive.
- Used specialised forensic tools to extract readable sectors while avoiding corrupted areas.
2. Rebuilding the Partition Table & File System
Since the partition table was missing or corrupted, we:
- Rebuilt the MBR (Master Boot Record) to restore lost file structures.
- Repaired the FAT32/NTFS file system to make the USB readable again.
3. Extracting & Verifying Recovered Files
Once the USB file system was restored, we:
- Recovered all lost documents, images, and archived files.
- Restored folder structures exactly as they were before corruption.
- Transferred the fully restored data to a secure external backup device.
The Results: 100% Data Recovery Success
Thanks to our partition table repair and raw sector extraction techniques, we successfully recovered 100% of the client’s lost files, including:
✅ Word documents, spreadsheets, and PDFs
✅ Photos, videos, and personal data files
✅ Organized folder structures restored for easy access
The client was able to retrieve all essential files, preventing data loss and ensuring smooth access to their stored information.
Why Choose Us?
With 25 years of experience and tens of thousands of successful USB flash drive recoveries, we are England’s leading USB data recovery specialists. Our expertise includes:
✔ RAW USB recovery & MBR partition repair
✔ File system reconstruction & deep sector scanning
✔ Documents, photos, and personal data retrieval
✔ Secure & confidential data recovery services
If your USB flash drive is showing as RAW, is unreadable by recovery software, or is preventing access to important files, stop using it immediately and contact us for expert data recovery.