Recover corrupt flash drive

[time]

I need to do a favour for someone.

They have managed to store critical records on a USB flash drive, which is now reported as corrupt - their theory is that it's because they didn't 'stop' the drive before unplugging it.

I haven't attempted this in many years. Based on experience, what recovery techniques do people here advocate?

 

[ddrueding]

My first step would be GetDataBack for FAT. But doing a block-for-block image first wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

[Mercutio]

I've had good luck with PhotoRec and Recuva among the various free data recovery apps.

 

[Bozo]

Maybe try 'chkdsk' first?
If you plug into a Windows 7 PC, Windows might offer to repair it for you.

 

[Chewy509]

1. Take an image of USB Key ASAP, and ONLY do recovery on copies of the image. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER attempt recovery on the original. Ensure you get a MD5 or SHA1 of both the source and the copy and ensure they match.
2. Try GetDataBack, or one of the free recovery tools.
3. Try ProDiscover (free edn).
4. Try X-Ways Forensic, EnCase or FTK Suite. (You can get demos that run for 30 days).
5. Try scalpal or foremost.
6. Try SluethKit.
7. Learn FAT and grab a hex editor.
8. Charge $2000
9. Profit.

http://www.forensicswiki.org/wiki/Main_Page has a lot of information on data recovery...

PS. See, no ???? before profit.