USB Formatting Issue - Chromebook to PC

I have a USB that will only open on a Chromebook.  I had it for work.  I got a new job and no longer have access to a Chromebook.  The USB will read but not open any of my files on my PC.  Is there a way to format the USB for PC without losing all my data?  Or any type of work around?  My next step is buying a Chromebook, dumping the files, and then returning it but I don't really want to go through the hassle.  Thank you! 

yes, sorry.  it is a SanDisk 3.0 thumb drive.  Like i said, if i put it into a Chromebook I can click on it and all the files are there, but I don't have access anymore.

What type of files on on there? Documents, pictures or what?

Hello

Could you plug in the USB on your computer and then open Disk Management? To do that, press Windows + X > Disk Management. Take a screenshot of it and upload it. It can give more information including of the partitions and filesystem.

It just says connecting to virtual disk space.  : (

According to this source:

https://support-en.wd.com/app/answers/detailweb/a_id/43506/~/instructions-to-format-a-usb-flash-drive-or-memory-card-with-a-chromebook#

and others of course, Chromebook supports read/write of FAT32, exFAT and NTFS formatted drives, and Read-only access to macOS HFS+ formatted drives.

On a PC running modern Windows, you should be able to read the above formats EXCEPT HFS+ which is not supported in Windows.

I'm guessing that the stick you have was originally formatted in an Apple, and was only being read on the Chromebook.

There are third party apps available to allow reading of HFS+ formatted drives on Windows - just google "HFS+ for Windows" - I've no idea how good they are though.

[edited to correct HFS+]

Edited by GeoffK, 27 May 2024 - 03:40 AM.

According to this source:

https://support-en.wd.com/app/answers/detailweb/a_id/43506/~/instructions-to-format-a-usb-flash-drive-or-memory-card-with-a-chromebook#

and others of course, Chromebook supports read/write of FAT32, exFAT and NTFS formatted drives, and Read-only access to macOS HSF+ formatted drives.

On a PC running modern Windows, you should be able to read the above formats EXCEPT HSF+ which is not supported in Windows.

 

I'm guessing that the stick you have was originally formatted in an Apple, and was only being read on the Chromebook.

 

There are third party apps available to allow reading of HFS+ formatted drives on Windows - just google "HSF+ for Windows" - I've no idea how good they are though.

Just as a correction, it should be HFS+.

It just says connecting to virtual disk space.  : (

That is unusual. Let's see if the Virtual Disk service is working properly. First, launch Disk Management as before. Then, search up services.msc in the start menu and click on Services. Then, look for Virtual Disk service and make sure it is Running and the Startup Type is Manual.

If it still does not work, then open up Command Prompt/Powershell/Terminal as Admin in Windows + X. Here, type diskpart and press enter. Then, type

list disk

It should show you the disks and their number. Based on size, determine which drive number is your USB flash drive. Then, type (and replace drivenumber with the drive number of the flash drive) and press Enter:

sel disk drivenumber

Then type and press Enter on this:

list part

Finally type and press enter on this:

list vol

Take a screenshot of the command prompt/powershell/terminal and attach it.

Just a thought as these have come from a Chromebook, are they actual files on the stick, or just links/shortcuts to the files stored on your Google account in the cloud?

Try logging into your Google account on the PC and then opening one of the files on the stick.

These are your files aren't they, they don't belong to your previous employer?

Edited by Nukecad, 27 May 2024 - 02:21 AM.

They are my files.  I am teacher, so it is all my lessons throughout my career.  I have tried all your suggestions and my computer will not do anything when I plug the thumb drive in.  I appreciate all your help but I think I am just going to get a chromebook then return it.  : ( 

You could boot a live linux distro to see if you can copy over the files to your hard drive.

This is assuming you have a recent Windows 10 computer is UEFI with a GPT disk.

You can determine if you have a GPT disk by opening Disk Management.

https://www.howtogeek.com/245610/how-to-check-if-a-disk-uses-gpt-or-mbr-and-how-to-convert-between-the-two/

What is the make of the computer? Or motherboard if a custom build.

Download the iso file of Mint

https://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=311

On the Windows 10 computer format a USB flash drive that is at least 4GB to FAT32. Right click the iso file of Mint in Windows 10. Select Mount. This will open a file explorer window showing the contents of the iso file. Copy all the files to the FAT32 flash drive. After the copy open This PC. There will be a Virtual DVD drive. Right click and select Unmount.

Depending on the computer or motherboard tap a key at boot to access the boot menu. On a HP it's F9. On a Dell it's F12. In the boot menu select your USB flash drive. When you are at the Mint Desktop attach your USB flash drive with the files. A USB icon will appear on the desktop and a file manager will open showing the files on the flash drive. Copy and paste the files to your internal drive.

Note: You may need to disable SecureBoot in your UEFI settings. Also if linux says you cannot paste to your internal drive it's because FastStart is enabled. You will need to disable FastStartup in order to copy the files.

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-disable-windows-10-fast-startup