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Recovering Data from a Potentially Corrupted USB Drive: A Guide for Mac Users

Introduction

External USB drives are invaluable tools for storing large media files, such as concert videos. However, data loss or drive unreadability can occur unexpectedly, causing frustration and potential loss of valuable memories. This article provides a comprehensive overview of troubleshooting steps and free options for data recovery on a Mac, especially when traditional paid solutions are not feasible.

Case Overview

Consider a scenario where an individual purchased a 128GB USB flash drive to store concert videos, which they successfully uploaded and verified for playback. Months later, upon reconnecting the USB to their MacBook Air, they encounter a message indicating the device is unreadable. The user is seeking advice on recovering their videos without incurring high costs, questioning whether extended scan times are normal, and exploring free data recovery tools.

Understanding USB Drive Unreadability

Several factors can render a USB drive unreadable:

• File system corruption due to improper disconnection or power failure
• Physical damage or hardware failure
• Malware or virus contamination
• Partition table issues

Before attempting recovery, verify whether the drive appears in Disk Utility and if any errors are reported.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

1. Check Disk Utility

2. Open Disk Utility (Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility)

3. Locate the problematic USB drive in the sidebar

4. If the drive appears but is greyed out, try running the First Aid feature to repair disk errors

5. Try Mounting the Drive Manually

6. If the drive is visible but not mounted, select it and click Mount

7. Use Terminal Commands

8. Advanced users can run commands such as diskutil list to identify the drive’s identifier and attempt to repair or recover data

9. Assess the Need for Data Recovery Software

10. If previous steps fail, specialized software may help retrieve files from a corrupted drive

Free Data Recovery Options for Mac Users

While commercial tools like DiskDrill offer robust recovery features, they often come with costs. Fortunately, several free or open-source options exist:

• TestDisk: An open-source utility capable of recovering lost partitions and making non-booting disks bootable again
• PhotoRec: A companion to TestDisk focused on file recovery, supporting numerous formats
• MiniTool Power Data Recovery Free: Offers limited free recovery options with basic features
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