1GB memory stick appears corrupt. Any data recovery options?

I have an older 1gb usb thumb drive that I used to transport data to and from home and work. This morning when I plugged it into the PC it came up like it was installing drivers for the device, and said it failed to install almost immediately. I thought this was strange, so I removed it and reinsterted it. This time it said it was installing drivers for a much longer time and finally said it installed drivers. I let out a sigh of relief and went to find it in My Computer. It wasnt there. Oh no... In the device manager it is listed as "USB MEMORY BAR USB Device" and in devices and printers it is listed as "SM324BC Memory Bar". The status of the device is listed as "Needs Troubleshooting". Also in the device manager under portable devices the "WPD FileSystem Volume Driver has a warning (!) and the device status is "This device cannot start. (Code 10)". If I pull up the computer management and go to disk management it appears to be listed as Disk 1 Removable and shows all space as unallocated. If I go to My Computer it shows up as a removable device as (E: ) however, eventually the window will time out and tell me to insert a disk into drive (E: ).

Stupid me, did not back up the files from this weekend and I did a considerable amount of work. I would like to be able to recover the data if possible. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thank you for your time.

As for me and recovery programs I purchased a copy of bad copy pro. It's a nice program but im sure you would like a free version.

Just from searching the web I found a program called "MiniTool Power Data Recovery Free Edition"

Here is a download. Thank you for downloading MiniTool Power Data Recovery Free Edition from CNET Download.com

I have heard that if windows cant recognize it than chanses of recovery are low. But we can always give it a shot right?

Edit: Hmm I just read somthing that says you can use bad copy pro to fix flash drives without buying it. Edit: Hmm, Not as sure now.

Go ahead and try bad copy pro. I personally have had good experiences with it.

http://www.jufsoft.com/badcopy/download.asp

And instructions on how to use it.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4861432_reco...ash-drive.html

Yet another edit: The link says free evaluation version. In my case it would see if it could recover the files first. If it could than you would buy the program and it would save them, if it cant recover them than there is nothing anyone can do.

You don't have to buy it. It will just say weather or not it is recoverable or not. If it is recoverable we will look for a free solution for you.

Sorry i made this so complicated.

Try Recuva: Download Recuva 1.50.1036 - FileHippo.com -- download button on the first line.

i tried recuva at lunch with my laptop. it seems to not recognize the usb stick as a drive for recovery. whenever any program (device manager, recuva, My Computer, etc...) tried to access this drive everything slows to a crawl. im wondering if i should try to format it (and definitely erase all the data) first. it sounds like these programs can recover data after formatting

i will give bad copy a try when i get home, not able to install programs here at work

DONT FORMAT!! That only makes things harder to impossible.

Just try the programs as they are and see what happens.

It is true the programs were made for accidental deletion/corruption but we don't want to purposefully put ourselves in that position.

what if i cant get a recovery program to recognize the disc?

Did you try a live Linux CD or stick. Linux is often more forgiving than Windows and can access data that is hidden from sight in Windows.

i dont have a linux pc... maybe i could install in on my laptop

You do not need a Linux PC. If you do not have a live Linux CD, use this:

Emergency Kit - save your files from a dead OS

with the thumb drive inserted into the computer it will show up in My Computer but a green progress bar keeps going across the address bar...

when i try to launch recuva nothing happens... when i launched bad copy the drive letter showed up, but when i selected it and hit next... it seems to have frozen and is now not responding

im guessing there isnt much hope

i'll try the linux tomorrow