Do you have a Best Buy or Staples in your area? They have tech support that should help you.

Can you try it on someone else computer? There might be a small chance that even though the USB looks bent, it is actually something inside your computer that got tweaked which is why it doesn't recognize your flash drive.

Jodi-

Yep...a very computer knowledgeble guy at my office tried it on his computer, and also could not read the drive. (He's the one who thinks it is fixable).

The Best Buy tech support at my local store does NOT have a good reputation. I was just in the brand new Staples and likes the store...wonder what their reputation is!

Open to additional suggestions! Thanks!

I would say it is fixable,
IF you can figure out how to remove the case.
AND you know someone that can solder small connections.

(Disclaimer)

Pooh Bear

Here is a link that might be useful: Scroll down for pictures of the innards

We already have the case off. Now I need to find someone who can handle this "delicate operation"!

How about contacting Kingston, and asking THEM what to do -- they might tell you to send the drive to them so they can fix it. That way, you'll know it will be done correctly.

If you have access to a design engineering office, see if they have anyone who works with 'strain gages'. Strain gage technicians and engineeres routinely solder tiny conections, sometimes under a low power microscope. A special soldering gun is used. Make sure that the soldering gun is electrically isolated and grounded to preclude imparting a damaging charge to the pins. (I am trained to apply strain gages.)

The next source is an engineering college that offers strain gage application courses. There will be experts among the staff.

A third source is a solid state chip design group. They may have access to specialized equipment.

However, at this writing, I have little hope that you can recover the data. It all depends on the damage and where the breaks are. The damage can extend into the packaging.

If I understand thumb drives, I think there is an internal, very small 'keep alive' battery that maintains the state of the memory junctions. If this battery is damaged or the connections to it interrupted, then all data is lost. If the 'die' (chip) has been cracked or over strained, then it is lost. This damage can not be seen as it will under the potting compound. If the leads have been broken flush with the packaging (potting) material, then there is little hope in making a solder connection.

Before you give up, examine the thumb drive under a low power (10 to 20x) inspection microscope. Look at the leads. Hopefully, these are not broken, but misshapen.