USB is now unformatted, I have lost everything!

Hello Feather. I am sorry to hear that you are having troubles with your USB drive. What is the brand of the USB that you are using? Is it an official Microsoft XBOX 360 USB or a different maker of USB?  Also, did you make sure that it had the minimum requirements, specified by this page?  http://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-360/accessories/usb-flash-drive

Also, have you tried clearing the system cache on the USB? This will not harm your game saves at all.  You can clear the cache by following these easy steps:

1) On the dashboard of the XBOX 360, go all the way to the right to the 'Settings' Tab.

2) Click on System

3) Click on Storage

4) Highlight your USB Drive and press the 'Y' button.

5) Click on 'Clear System Cache' and select 'Yes'

This is a possible solution, but not a guarantee.  Please let me know how this solution goes and the answers to the posted questions so I can help you further. Hopefully we can help you without losing your game saves.

u might also be able to get the data back by using the drive on pc,  google backup xbox usb device,  or try to error check the device with software on pc

No its not an Xbox usb, it is a lexar 8GB. As far as I know about passing the requirements, it said it did when it ran the test on the xbox, I didn't have any problem configuring it at all from the xbox.Just tried to clear the cache, and it doesn't give me the option. First when I put it in is says USB storage device, or some such. It does not, let me push Y, so I unplugged it and plugged it back in and now it says unformatted again. Was able to push Y this time but the clear cache is grayed out.

I have also tried the error check from my pc, as well as finding some programs from google that allow you to back up xbox files from a usb device and both that I tried did not work.

Thanks for your guys help, I appreciate it.

Unfortunately, if it is not an official Microsoft XBOX USB, it makes it harder to work with.  The USB must fit in the system requirements for it to work without issues like this unfortunately.  I have looked all over and from the sound of it, the data that is currently on there will is lost. I am sorry for your loss of information.  I wish there was more I could do. You could always try speaking with XBOX Support by calling 1-800-469-9269 and speaking with support further on this matter. I believe they are open till 1 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.  Don't forget to verify any answers that may have helped you today.

Ok, thanks a lot, never thought about that. I will do that. Thanks for the help.

Not a problem. That is what the XBOX Live Ambassadors are here for. We are fellow gamers wanting to help anyone possible. I hope your problem gets resolved soon.

Have you tried putting the usb back in the other xbox to see if it works...or does it tell you to format on both consoles?

I use a card reader since I can get a bunch of 16gb micro sd cards for dirt cheap. I normally use a single usb card reader with an sd adapter and I always swipe out the micro sd depending on what I want to access. (each card with different contents)

I also have a multi card reader that has ports for everything. I once tried to use that on my xbox with the micro card only and it told me I needed to format. I then tried to put the micro in the adapter and then put that into the multi reader and I still needed to format. This is when I freaked out! I then put the adapter in my original card reader and it worked.

My advice for future purposes is to always copy files, I dont care about wasting 2 minutes when it will protect my 50+ hours of save data.

Completely agree with Son ALA. I backup my important stuff on USB *just in case* (oh, Minecraft & Dragon's Dogma! lol). In future, you could also try enabling Cloud Storage - it could be a lifesaver.

More on how to do that, here: support.xbox.com/.../cloud-save-games

L

Hey, so I see you're having problems, and strangely that's the reason I came here. So after frantically searching for answers I unluckily had to re-configure my USB stick. Your saves are unfortunately lost but it still saves your USB stick. Sorry for the inconvenience.    

G'day C4CtUs! This thread is several months old. Totally appreciate your enthusiasm to help but let's stick to more recent threads. =)