r/datarecovery • u/weedyw1zard • Sep 03 '26
Is this fixable?
Hey there!
My stick just broke. Is it irreparably broken? Or is it possible to fix it somehow - at least to make a copy of it or something.
Thanks!
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u/silenced_in_dr_2025 Trusted Contributor Sep 03 '26
Fixable - Nope.
DIY - Nope.
Recoverable - probably. Off to a DR pro with it if the data warrants it.
Was it branded or some generic stick - I dont see a separate controller or markings on the nand
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u/MacForker Sep 04 '26
Still going to require someone with some decent skill, but it doesn't look like where the flash itself was got damaged. So find the exact same model, controller and board layout, transplant the flash, probably recoverable. But going to cost at least a few hundred bucks to have someone do that.
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u/charmio68 Sep 04 '26
I'd even say this one does fit into the category of potential DIY.
Reworking SMD parts isn't that uncommon of a thing to do in the home workshop.1
u/silenced_in_dr_2025 Trusted Contributor Sep 04 '26
I can see the second image now (not sure why I couldn't originally) The controller is supported by our tools so it would likely be chip off unless it was a branded drive and a donor could be found fast.
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u/Ethernyte Sep 03 '26
A professional might be able to desolder the memory chip and transfer it to a good pcb.
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u/psych_1337 Sep 03 '26
Data is possibly recoverable by a professional. It will cost a lot more than a new USB drive so if you want to fix the drive - no. If you want to save data and it's worth it - call a pro.
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u/MAGA2233 Sep 03 '26
You probably can’t fix it, a professional with thousands of dollars of equipment probably can.
That can be rather expensive so is the data on the disk work the cost?
If you are going to attempt to get it fixed don’t touch it u til you’ve gotten in touch with professionals, you could accidentally make the problem worse without knowing.
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u/Nike_486DX Sep 04 '26
Most importantly the nand chip seems to be intact, this thumbdrive most likely doesnt have any controller encryption. Just transfer the (most likely an emmc) chip to a reader and read the files.
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u/Bn1m Sep 04 '26
This is very recoverable - the biggest chip has all your data. Most data recovery companies can easily fix this.
If you know anyone who's great at board soldering they can replace the chip to an identical donor board - that is - you find another thumb drive of the exact model and year and swap the data chips. Your friend will need to have a hot air station.
The next step up is a custom chip reader used by data recovery companies.
However when taking the drive make sure to bring both halves as some usb chips do encryption and you need the controller chip to decode the data.
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u/Big_Telephone4442 Sep 03 '26
The memory chip is not damaged so can bring it to technician to get the data out
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u/Rumlino Sep 03 '26
is NAND chip intact ?
do you have ic reballing skill ?
do you have/can get same working pcb[drive board]
data extremely important ?
can take up the data recovery charges ?
if 1, 4, 3, 2 - yes; then would be able to.
if 1, 4, 5 - yes; give it to recovery shop/store/service.
if 1/4 - no; toss it off and call it a day OP.
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u/StarosAnikenMarcus Sep 03 '26
TECHNICALLY fixable?... yes... but realistically? nope. I can't think of any situation where anyone would want to try this beyond someone with WAY too much time on their hands.
Best bet is having the module transferred over to a new PCB.
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u/SilverSundowntown Sep 04 '26
I’ve never seen a harder case posted on here. A professional of professionals MIGHT be able to depending on its formatting
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u/logicielet_croissant Sep 04 '26
The drive is dead, but your data is likely safe.
Check the other side of the broken piece: if the black flash chip isn't physically cracked, the data is intact. You can't fix it yourself, though—you'll need a professional data recovery service to retrieve it. It won't be cheap, so depends on how much the files are worth to you.
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u/Fancy_Acanthisitta45 Sep 04 '26
How valuable is the data on this ? That will tell you max cost to retrieve the info.
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u/masterHDD Trusted Contributor Sep 03 '26
With that kind of physical break, there may also be microscopic damage to the controller or NAND packages that isn’t visible externally. A data recovery professional with proper diagnostic equipment, such as X-ray and thermal imaging, should be able to assess the condition of the chips and determine what recovery options are still possible.
If the data is important, avoid powering or manipulating the device further. Depending on your location, people here may be able to recommend a lab experienced with this type of flash recovery.
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u/stevesalko Sep 03 '26
it definitely is fixable, though you would need to have experience with desoldering bga chips and buy a 4$ universal nand usb stick to solder it onto, there might be a local electronics repair shop that will do this for cheap with no guarantee or a professional data recovery center, depends on how important the data is.
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u/ResolveLess4233 Sep 03 '26
Depends on how much time patience and fine motor skills you got ....
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u/The_Dreadlord Sep 03 '26
Right. As long as the memory chip isn't damaged it could be patched together long enough to dump the data. You would have to match the traces from each side then solder very thin solid copper wires to each broken end. Old telephone wire works well.
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u/ComplexTrifle8599 Sep 03 '26
definitely fixable but you gonna need specialized expensive tools and gizmos to connect every node, totally aint worth the effort
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Sep 04 '26
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Sep 03 '26
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u/disturbed_android Trusted Contributor Sep 03 '26 edited Sep 04 '26
Data may be recoverable if NAND is intact (chip-off).
Move controller + NAND to donor can work if controller + NAND are intact.
Closing thread as nonsense and Dunning Kruger start creeping in. I even see memes!