USB flash drives are reliable devices, but there is always a risk of breakage. The reason for this may be incorrect operation, fading firmware, unsuccessful formatting, and so on. In any case, if this is not physical damage, you can try to restore it with software.
The problem is that not every tool is suitable for restoring a specific flash drive, and the use of the wrong utility can finally derive it out. But knowing the VID and PID of the drive, you can determine the type of its controller and choose the appropriate program.
How to find out vid and pid flash drives
The VID is used to identify the manufacturer, the PID is the identifier of the device itself. Accordingly, each controller on the removable accumulator is marked with these values. True, some unscrupulous manufacturers can neglect the paid registration of ID numbers and assign them just at random. But mostly it concerns cheap Chinese products.First, make sure that the flash drive is somehow defined by the computer: the characteristic sound is heard when connected, it is visible in the list of connected devices, it is displayed in the "Task Manager" (perhaps an unknown device) and so on. Otherwise, there are few chances not only for the definition of VID and PID, but also to restore the carrier.
The ID number can be quickly defined using specialized programs. Alternatively, you can use the Device Manager or simply disassemble the USB flash drive and find information on its "insides".
Please note that MMC, SD, MicroSD cards do not have VID and PID values. Applying one of the ways to them, you only receive a card reader.
Method 1: Chipgenius
Perfectly reads basic technical information not only from flash drives, but also from many other devices. Interestingly, Chipgenius has a VID and PID database to give alleged information about the device when for some reason it fails to poll the controller.
Download chipgenius for free
To take advantage of this program, do the following:
- Run it. At the top of the window, select a USB flash drive.
- On the bottom opposite the value of "USB Device ID" you will see VID and PID.
Note: Old versions of the program can work incorrectly - download the latter (you can find exactly such a link above). Also in some cases it refuses to work with USB 3.0 ports.
Method 2: Flash Drive Information Extractor
This program provides more detailed information about the drive, of course, including VID and PID.
Official site Flash Drive Information Extractor
After you downloaded the program, do the following:
- Run it and click the "Get Flush Information" button.
- The necessary identifiers will be in the first half of the list. They can be allocated and copied by pressing "Ctrl + C".
Method 3: USBDEView
The main function of this program is the display of the list of all devices ever connected to this PC. Additionally, you can get detailed information about them.
Download USBDEView for 32-bit operating systems
Download USBDEView for 64-bit operating systems
The use instruction is as follows:
- Run the program.
- In order to quickly find the connected drive, click "Options" and remove the checkbox from the "Show disabled devices" item.
- When the search circle narrowed, double-click on the flash drive. In the opened table, pay attention to the "Vendorid" and "ProductID" - this is VID and PID. Their values can be highlighted and copied ("Ctrl" + "C").
Method 4: Chipeasy
An intuitive utility that allows you to get comprehensive information about the flash drive.
Download chipeasy free
After downloading, do this:
- Run the program.
- In the top box, select the desired drive.
- Below you will see all its technical data. VID and PID are in the second line. You can select and copy them ("Ctrl + C").
Method 5: Checkudisk
Simple utility that displays basic information about the drive.
Download Checkudisk.
Further instructions:
- Run the program.
- From above, select a USB flash drive.
- Bend, read the data. VID and PID are located on the second line.
Method 6: Studying Board
When none of the ways helps, you can go to radical measures and open the flash drive case if possible. VID and PID You may not find it there, but the marking on the controller has the same value. The controller is the most important part of the USB drive, has a black color and square shape.
What to do with these values?
Now you can enjoy the application of the information received and find an effective utility to work with your flash drive. To do this should be used Online service IFLASH where users themselves form a database of such programs.
- Enter VID and PID into the appropriate fields. Click the "Search" button.
- In the results you will see general information about the flash drive and links to suitable utilities.
Method 7: device properties
Not such a practical method, but you can do without third-party software. It implies the following actions:
- Go to the device list, right-click on the flash drive and select "Properties".
- Go to the "Equipment" tab and click on the name of the media twice.
- Go to the "Details" tab. In the "Property" drop-down list, select "Equipment Education" or "Parent". In the "Value" field, you can disassemble the VID and PID.
The same can be done through the Device Manager:
- To call it, enter Devmgmt.msc in the "Run" window ("Win" + "R").
- Find the USB flash drive, click on it right-click and select "Properties", and then all according to the above instruction.
Note that the disabled flash drive can be displayed as an "unknown USB device".
Faster, of course, will use one of the utilities considered. If you do without them, you will have to dig in the storage properties. In the extreme case, VID and PID can always be found on the board inside the flash drive.
Finally, let's say that the definition of these parameters will be useful for recovering removable drives. On our site you can find detailed instructions for representatives of the most popular brands: A-Data., Verbatim., SanDisk, Silicon Power, Kingston, Transcend..