SanDisk Cruzer USB flash drives are widely used by students and professionals for storing important files, coursework, and research projects. However, when a USB port sparks or emits a burnt smell, it often indicates electrical failure or PCB (Printed Circuit Board) damage, preventing access to stored data.
This case study details how we successfully recovered critical college coursework and documents from a SanDisk Cruzer USB drive, after a short circuit caused physical damage to the device.
As Glasgow Data Recovery, Scotland’s oldest and best data recovery company, we have 25 years of experience using chip-off NAND extraction and forensic data recovery techniques to restore lost files.
SanDisk Cruzer USB Drive Burnt & Not Recognized
A college student contacted us after their SanDisk Cruzer USB drive stopped working, with the following issues:
- The USB drive sparked when plugged in and emitted a burnt smell.
- The computer no longer detected the device.
- Attempts to use different USB ports and computers failed.
- The drive contained important coursework, research papers, and assignments.
Since continued use of a burnt USB drive can cause further component failure, an immediate professional recovery solution was required.
Diagnosis & Evaluation
When the SanDisk Cruzer USB drive arrived at our cleanroom facility, we conducted a full hardware diagnostic. Our findings:
- PCB damage due to electrical failure – The power regulation components were burnt.
- NAND flash memory chip was intact – Indicating that data was still recoverable.
- Controller failure – Preventing communication with the computer.
Since USB drives with PCB damage cannot be accessed through standard recovery methods, we prioritized chip-off NAND data extraction.
The Recovery Process
1. Cleanroom USB Disassembly & Chip Removal
To preserve the data, we:
- Carefully disassembled the USB drive to prevent further damage.
- Removed the NAND flash memory chip from the burnt PCB.
2. Extracting Data Using Chip-Off NAND Recovery
Since the USB controller was non-functional, we:
- Used specialized NAND chip readers to extract raw data.
- Reconstructed the file system manually to restore lost files.
3. Extracting & Verifying College Coursework Files
Once the USB data was extracted, we:
- Recovered all coursework, assignments, and research papers.
- Verified document integrity and restored lost file structures.
- Transferred the fully recovered data to a secure backup device.
The Results: 100% Data Recovery Success
Thanks to our chip-off NAND extraction and USB PCB repair techniques, we successfully recovered 100% of the student’s lost files, including:
✅ Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, and research papers
✅ Assignments, project reports, and lecture notes
✅ Organized file structures restored for easy access
The student was able to retrieve all coursework files, preventing academic setbacks.
Why Choose Us?
With 25 years of experience and tens of thousands of successful USB recoveries, we are Scotland’s leading USB data recovery specialists. Our expertise includes:
✔ SanDisk Cruzer chip-off NAND flash memory recovery
✔ Burnt PCB repair & USB electrical failure fixes
✔ College coursework & research document retrieval
✔ Secure & confidential data recovery services
If your USB drive has burnt components, is not recognized, or is preventing access to important coursework files, stop using it immediately and contact us for expert USB data recovery.