How do I format the E Drive without erasing the data?

External Since: Jul 28, 2008 Posts: 1

I have a built in E drive on my laptop that is intended for a memory stick.
When I first got the laptop, I was able to insert the memory stick from my
camera and have the photos uploaded without a problem. I went to do that
again, but it is now prompting me that I have to format the drive and doing
so will erase all date on the memory stick. How do I format the drive but
keep my pictures? Please help!

External Since: Jul 17, 2008 Posts: 16

Your computer can no longer read that stick as it is. If your camera can
still view images off the stick, then you may be able to salvage the
images on it by going to a more forgiving computer. If more than one
computer has no problem reading the stick, then it's time to take a
closer look at your computer. Formatting the stick will destroy the
images though. You could possibly find someone who could coax the images
off the stick, so-called "disaster recovery", but it would cost you
beaucoup bucks. Up to you whether it's worth it.

What most likely happened? It may be the case that the stick got too
close to a powerful EM field and got partly degaussed (erased). There is
no helping it then but formatting it. As a good general rule, though,
with these sticks: never erase all the files, when you are ready to
clean it totally, reformat it. If your computer is pickier than your
camera, format it on the computer.

Sorry for the bad news. Good luck.

--
Hogtowner