Data corruption. Folder is being read as a file.

[HodgeHi]

Hello,

I have been given a USB Stick by the head who is asking if I can sort a problem. The folder that contains important data can no longer be access on her USB Stick. I have had a look at it and found that the file seemed to have no file association. I stuck a .doc on the end and found Word could still not open it.

On closer inspection I realise this is in fact a folder which cannot be accessed. Double-clicking it just tries to open a programme and then prompts you to choose one.

I have tried to recover the folder from the drive with software on both OS X and Windows XP but each comes back with lost data that has been deleted but nothing picks up the dodgy folder. I have verified the stick with both Disk Util in OS X (which reports no errors) and also ran a chkdsk from the CMD prompt which again states that there are no erors.

How can I recover the files inside this folder if nothing detects it as a folder to recover?

Hope someone can help me here.

TIA.

[Dos_Box]

Can you move it to a hard drive? Then use Recuva (if you haven't already used this?).

[chazzy2501]

it's no actually a / was .zip which can be open like a folder is it? give the .zip extension see if it opens. Otherwise open it with notepad and see what the headder says.