Erase a broken USB Jumpdrive

[Richter]

I have no idea why my Lexar USB Jumpdrive stopped working. It is no longer detected.

I have receipt so I can just get another one but I have some sensitive data on there that I cannot risk leaving. (The data is not encrypted.)

Anybody have an idea on how to erase it before I take it back?

 

[doc2345]

Originally posted by: Richter
I have no idea why my Lexar USB Jumpdrive stopped working. It is no longer detected.

I have receipt so I can just get another one but I have some sensitive data on there that I cannot risk leaving. (The data is not encrypted.)

Anybody have an idea on how to erase it before I take it back?

If you can't access it, you can't delete data or reformat it..... Take it to another box and see if you can access it there. If you can't then not to worry, probably no one else can either. With that said how much is a new one? $50.00 or $60.00? So if the data is really that sensitive forget 'bout the warranty, take it out to the driveway and nail it with a hammer, the data's pretty damn safe now!

Option #2: Lay it on a strong magnet for a few hours, that'll do it........... (I think the hammer would be more fun).

 

[Richter]

a magnet will affect a memory chip?

 

[Jeff7]

Magnets will not affect flash memory.

 

[Richter]

didnt think so. any ideas short of the hammer idea?

 

[pcgeek11]

Originally posted by: Richter
didnt think so. any ideas short of the hammer idea?

Connect it to a variable voltage power supply and crank it up slowly until it smokes. Fried chips tell no tells. Burn the pron. Be careful not to electrocute yourself though.

pcgeek11

 

[marvdmartian]

Don't even really need to do that. Just fry it like I did mine, a while back. Working with a motherboard I wasn't familiar with, got in a hurry, and reversed the position of two of the pins on the front usb connection to the motherboard, without noticing my blunder.

A while later, went to use my jump drive to transfer a file into that computer. Stuck it into the slot, expecting to hear the windows sound that's made when a usb device is detected, and instead heard a ssssizzzle-POP!! :shocked:

I immediatly pulled the jump drive out, but it was a goner. I fried it so bad it left a burn mark on the circuit board! Needless to say, I learned a valuable lesson that day, and make certain to double check my usb hookups now when I'm connecting front usb!

By the way, can anyone tell my why, when usb has pretty much become universal, these cheapskate atx case manufacturers still do individual pin connections for front usb?? Geez, get on the ball, and go to the modular plug already!! :disgust:

 

[FlyingPenguin]

f it's not detectable on more than one computer, I don't think you have to worry about anyone else accessing it. But if there's something on it of major security concern then I would destroy it and buy a new one. Not like they're real expensive items anymore.

BTW: Don't even consider doing what the previous poster suggests. You're VERY likely to damage your motherboard if you reverse the voltage polarity on a USB port.

 

[marvdmartian]

Hey, come on.....I didn't suggest it, I just told him how I fried mine, inadvertantly.

Although I will guarantee that my jump drive is unreadable now!

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: marvdmartian
Hey, come on.....I didn't suggest it, I just told him how I fried mine, inadvertantly.

Although I will guarantee that my jump drive is unreadable now!

He could get a wall wart ( say 12v just for extra damage) and touch every combination of pins possible for a few seconds.