Is there a way to read USB Flash Memory sticks from DOS?

Question

My windows system has crashed (partial hard-drive falure), and the only way I can think of to get the files off the system is to use my USB Flash sticks (some parts of the hard drive still work just fine). Any suggestions would be very helpfull at the moment.

No. The error is somewhere in the directory system, and windows won't start in safe or any other mode.

And no, thanks for the thought, but the USB drives are not automatically recognised by Dos.

Answer 1

I would think that the same copy/save commands you usually use in DOS to copy a file would work for a USB Flash stick, you would just need to replace the copy to location's drive letter with that of your USB drive.

However, there is still a possibility that it would not work without Windows, as many USB devices require drivers. You may think yours does not if it did not come with installation disc, but Windows has many generic drivers preinstalled for use with most USB devices.

Answer 2

Hey Dude,

NO!

You can download a version of linux called knoppix that will boot and read your fat32 and NTFS partitions AND also make your usb device active, but you need to know a little more about how to work linux.

I would check out http://www.ultimatebootcd.com and http://www.knoppix.org and see what kind of useful stuff you can find.

Also, Microsoft purchased Winternals. They use to have a REALLY great recovery program. I think Microsoft must have some sort of BETA out there that might work. I have not checked around for a while but it might be worth your while to look.

Also, take the hard drive out and put it in another computer as a slave, if it is working, you should be able to see it.

Tom

PS. There are NO dos drivers for usb that I know of. If anyone finds them, let me know PLEASE.

Answer 3

The best way to do that is by useing Hiren's Boot cd. Which containes thease drivers for dos.
Standard usb_cd.sys driver for cd drive
Panasonic v2.20 ASPI Manager for USB mass storage
ASUS USB CD-ROM Device Driver Version 1.00
Or try looking for thouse drivers online.

Answer 4

It did now no longer boot because of the actuality it did now no longer detect a booting records on your USB, or you chosen incorrect device as quickly as you entered the Booting Menu. make clever that once you get precise of get right of entry to on your USB, there is particularly abode abode windows 7 installation records which includes "Boot" folder, Setup.exe, and so forth. now no longer something.

Answer 5

hey look i tried once to Type J: it worked but listen how many partitions do u have (C: D: ..) and how many Drivers (CD-RW, DVD, CD).
so if you have the last one is H (a CD Drive) the Flash would be on J.
just add two letters after the last drive.
I dont think it will work but you can try.
if i had anything i will send it to ya

Answer 6

Can you go to safe mode???