Recovering Data from Flash Memory

Zitat

"...Flash drives are a very specialized piece of equipment but once you understand a few basics, they are a lot less mysterious. Flash drives use the FAT file system- USB memory keys generally use FAT-32 while memory cards (like those in a PDA or camera) use FAT-16. Almost all operating systems are compatible with the FAT file structure which is the reason why flash drives are almost univerisally compatible.

Because they use FAT, all flash storage products have to use Master Boot Record, Boot Sector, and File Allocation Table (which exists in duplicate). These tables are composed of a list the files on the device, as well as a number of details, like their size and where they exist on the memory. Any damage to the table can make the data on the drive practically useless, which is why two exact copies of the drive exist..."