Sandisk Cruzer Micro 2GB is rapidly flashing 3 times and won't connect

I have had this flash drive for a long time so it is probably time to let it go, I know.  I just want to know if anyone knows what the problem might be and if anyone knows of a way to save the files on it before I have to trash it completely.  When I plug it in, the computer makes the noise to acknowledge that a device has been plugged in.  The flash drive begins to flash rapidly in 3s (flash-flash-flash…flash-flash-flash…) but it never does anything else.  When I have been able to view the progress of the install (I am only able to do this by uninstalling the USB mass storage device with the yellow caution sign in device manager, then plugging it back in to initiate a new install) it shows that the first three steps are successfull, but mass storage device fails to install. 

Does anyone have any info that might help? 

Does anyone have any info that might help?

hmmmm  Check the USB contacts.  See if any are bent.  Also try cleaning them with a pencil eraser or emery paper.  Very lightly.  You can also try the emery paper on the machines USB port contacts.  Again, very lightly.

hth