USB Flash Drive: Doesn\'t work anymore

[southpaw0027]

Hello, I was using my usb flash drive and i think it may have stopped working when my laptop got moved around with the usb plugged in. I went into "my computer" and the device wasn't even there. So I unplugged it and plugged it back in and it said device could not be installed. There is a light on my flash drive, and when I plug it in, it lights up but then the light goes off after 1 second. If you could help me in any way I really appreciate it, I have all my important documents on it. Thank you. My email is southpaw0027@gmail.com

 

[fzabkar]

You may have a dry solder joint at one of the pins of the USB connector.

 

[southpaw0027]

What can I do about that, is there anyway I can fix it?

 

[fzabkar]

If it is a dry solder joint, then you would need to resolder it ...

 

[southpaw0027]

Ok can you tell me what that means? Because I'm new to this and don't know what that is

 

[fzabkar]

Here are several examples:
http://images.google.com/images?q=%22dry+solder+joint%22+OR+%22cold+solder+joint%22&tbs=isz:m,itphoto&tbm=isch

For example, here is a bad solder joint at one of the pins of the crystal in a USB stick:
http://softsolder.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/cimg5578-cold-solder-joint-in-usb-memory.jpg

The other pin doesn't look good, either.

Here are cracked solder joints:
http://home.comcast.net/~jcoxdesigns/Kenwood/Crop/IMG_8739.jpg

The solution is to crack open the USB stick and resolder the bad joints.

 

[southpaw0027]

Ok I cracked open the usb casing, now what exactly am I supposed to be looking at here.

 

[fzabkar]

Examine the 4 pins that connect the "USB metal head" to the "circuit board (PCB)" and resolder them if necessary.

http://www.chinaelectronicsinsider.com/sites/default/files/usb-NAND-flash-memory-pen-drive-pcba-components-diagram-specs-resonator-controller.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lTyLE5Ssczg/TC2l6K4Rd1I/AAAAAAAAAAU/9Y5HslT7Qeg/s1600/shipcc4bf9.jpg

With respect, you should probably take the board (in an antistatic bag) to your local TV/AV repairer and ask them to resolder the connector for you, assuming that's the problem.

 

[southpaw0027]

Question, if i took it to bestbuy or a computer store do you think they could fix it?

 

[fzabkar]

I don't believe the average computer store has a soldering iron, let alone people who would know how to use it.

BTW, can you see the drive with Microsoft's UVCView?
http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/USB_IDs/UVCView.x86.exe

My own flash drive looks like this:
http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/USB_IDs/USB_drive_UVCView.txt

 

[southpaw0027]

I opened the link you sent me and all I got was a description in a tab

 

[fzabkar]

Sorry, I can't help you.