Posted by Nick Clarke 3 on 18/04/2021 10:14:57:
Posted by duncan webster on 17/04/2021 23:46:11:
I have a feeling that the duff stick has worked on W10 before these upgrades.
If the drive is not recognised data recovery software won't help either as it cannot see the drive as the operating system USB port driver is not recognising it (if the drive is not faulty in itself).
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This may not be a problem for Linux because device recognition is done in two or three fairly obvious stages allowing the operator more opportunity to apply basic tools if anything goes wrong. Windows does similar, but tends to be all or nothing, offering less opportunity for debugging other than writing a program to handle internal failures. Plenty of them about, and worth trying on a dead stick.
Crudely, USB does something like this:
Step 1: O/S recognises a USB device of some sort has been plugged in, not necessarily identifying exactly what it is, and attaches it as hardware only. (Windows tends to bail out if anything is wrong, whereas Linux often stops with the device attached.)
Step 2: From the hardware detect, what's attached is identified (mouse, keyboard, wifi, memory stick, camera, IP phone, whatever), and registered by the operating system as a usable device. This is were a memory stick appears as new drive such as Windows E: or mounts on a UNIX directory. Depending on what's wrong Windows might bail out, or it might leave the drive available but unusable. Ditto Linux, except a successful mount allows basic system calls to access the disc even if the file system is trashed. It's a little less likely to eject the disc. Replies to these system calls may not make any sense, but mangled answers help identify the problem.
Step 3. Operating system has, or loads, a kernel module (Windows Device Driver) to connect applications to the device. Memory stick drivers are a fairly simple interface to a file system, but complicated devices like combination printer/scanners call for complicated drivers. Driver and file-system versions must match.
Anyway, a Windows disc recovery application will more-or-less detect and attempt to fix whatever the problem is at all levels, whereas Linux also allows basic system tools to be used to the same end. Linux has a better chance of getting a result because the interface exposes more. As it's not necessary to mount a file-system to copy or do remedial work on it, Linux may be able to recover FAT even if Windows refuses to attach because the stick or device driver is seriously wonky. The downside of Linux is the need to understand details and the risk of doing serious damage by mistake. With great power comes great responsibility!
Dave