Flash drive (kind of) can't be accessed due to virus... help?

darussiaman

New Member
Hi, I wasn't sure which category to put this under.

My flash drive got a virus on it. The attached image shows the avast! message I got. Apparently on my flash drive there's a hidden folder called "Recycler". I have no idea why it's there, I didn't see it before, when I plugged it in for the first time (I only bought it last weekend). So this virus file was in that folder, and I did the "move to chest" option. Now, my flash drive can't be accessed properly! When I go to My Computer, and double click it, here's the error that I get. Look at the other screenshot. However, it still works if i autoplay it. I can right click on the drive and select AutoPlay and then select the "Open folder to view files in windows explorer" option. Weird, isn't it??

Soo.. what should I do to fix it again? Can I just format it? This may sound like a dumb question (probably is), but for some reason I'm not certain if it's okay to format a flash drive...

Also, anyone have any explanation why this condition occurred? I deleted a virus file and now I can't access the drive?? That just seems to defy logic.

Thanks for any help.
 

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The only reason I wouldn't format a flashdrive is if it has U3 software on it. I know the U3 is kinda on another partition, but I wouldn't format it anyway. Otherwise, go for it and reformat.

If that doesn't work, return it for a new one.
 
you can. you may not be given a choice in format but you can use a program or the run command

unless it's 4+gigs there's no point. people also tell me that it wears it down more faster but mine's been going strong for 3+ years now
 
Hi, I wasn't sure which category to put this under.

My flash drive got a virus on it. The attached image shows the avast! message I got. Apparently on my flash drive there's a hidden folder called "Recycler". I have no idea why it's there, I didn't see it before, when I plugged it in for the first time (I only bought it last weekend). So this virus file was in that folder, and I did the "move to chest" option. Now, my flash drive can't be accessed properly! When I go to My Computer, and double click it, here's the error that I get. Look at the other screenshot. However, it still works if i autoplay it. I can right click on the drive and select AutoPlay and then select the "Open folder to view files in windows explorer" option. Weird, isn't it??

Soo.. what should I do to fix it again? Can I just format it? This may sound like a dumb question (probably is), but for some reason I'm not certain if it's okay to format a flash drive...


Also, anyone have any explanation why this condition occurred? I deleted a virus file and now I can't access the drive?? That just seems to defy logic.

Thanks for any help.

Why would you reformat?
Did you post your problem in the Security Section?
Because, the Recycler is the part of Windows where all the trash you delete goes after you empty the recycle bin. If you've cleaned many viruses, especially AdWare, they then go to REcycler. That's a folder with 6-7-8 such folders which you can't open, and when one of them infects the way that is already described, you have to go to safe mode, enable the view of hidden files and folders and delete the recycler. Reboot and amen.
 
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