Axle 64GB USB Flash Drive write protect error - cannot erase proprietary data

[Deluna]

The drive is clearly bad after less than a month but if I cannot erase it (or destroy it) I cannot return it for replacement.
Tech Support closed the case without even a dialog.
Anyone else have this problem? Any solution? Will they take back a drive with holes drilled through it?
What follow is my exchange with technical support.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Case #144383442Post Date: June 24, 2012
Status: Closed - Moved to RMA
Subject: read only problem - but cannot return drive
Detail:
Devices or Systems: many
Email: xxxxxxxxxxxx
FName: xxxxxxxxx
LName: xxxxxxxxx
Operating System: Win7, XP
Opt: USB Flash Drives
Problem Description: 64GB drive became read only after less than 2 weeks.Need warranty replacement. Problem is the data on it is proprietary and must be erased before I can return the disk for replacement. No problems with Axle 32GB Axle drive on same systems. Identified PN by picture, may be wrong.
Subject: read only problem - but cannot return drive
Type: 2
casenumber: 144383442
partnumber: PSF64GAUSBG

Response by:Technical Support
Posted on: June 25, 2012
Reply:
Hi xxxxxxxx,

I am sorry to hear about the problems you are having with your flash drive.

Can you please see if this format tool will help resolve your issue?

http://download1us.softpedia.com/dl/...setup.4.25.exe

It will format the flash drive and set it up to as if it was factory formatted. It will erase any partitions. Make sure to backup your data before you begin. The misuse of this tool can damage your flash drive. We don't recommend using it more than once. Please do not duplicate this tool.

Please keep in mind this will only work for Patriot drives, DO NOT unplug or plug any devices to your usb port during the operation.

Thank You for choosing Patriot Memory.

Regards,

Technical Support Team
Patriot Memory

Thank you for choosing Patriot Memory!

Response by:xxxxxxx
Posted on: June 25, 2012
Reply:
I tried the format tool, all I get is a stream of write protect errors.

Here is part of the error message stream:
6/25/2012 3:59:29 PM Format Error occurred at offset 1,114,112: 19 - The media is write protected
6/25/2012 3:59:29 PM Format Error occurred at offset 1,179,648: 19 - The media is write protected
6/25/2012 3:59:30 PM Format Error occurred at offset 1,245,184: 19 - The media is write protected
6/25/2012 3:59:30 PM Format Error occurred at offset 1,376,256: 19 - The media is write protected
6/25/2012 3:59:31 PM Format Error occurred at offset 1,507,328: 19 - The media is write protected
6/25/2012 3:59:31 PM Format Error occurred at offset 1,638,400: 19 - The media is write protected
6/25/2012 3:59:32 PM Format Error occurred at offset 1,769,472: 19 - The media is write protected
6/25/2012 3:59:32 PM Average speed: 0.7 MB/s
6/25/2012 3:59:32 PM Operation cancelled at offset 1,900,544 LBA 3712
6/25/2012 3:59:32 PM
6/25/2012 3:59:32 PM Remember to create new partitions.

Next step?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Response by:xxxxxxxxx
Posted on: July 03, 2012
Reply:
It has been a week without any update from you. Please reply.


Response by:Technical Support
Posted on: July 09, 2012
Reply:
Technical Support Case has been closed. An email will be sent to complete the RMA form for product return. Once the form is complete we will issue RMA# and provide shipping instructions. Thank you.

[elcz311]

I had the same problem right out of the box with the exact problem. I had written almost 8 GB of proprietary data to it when it, for no reason, became write protected. Changing the registry in Windows 7 did nothing to un-protect the device. The low level format tool that tech support sent me, as they did you, fixed my problem. AND by the way completely erased all data. The tool is not intuitive but all you have to do is start the tool, put the drive in, select it at the bottom and hit the Start button. It was fast and now I am writing data back to it with no problems. BUT i am being cautious and will only use this drive to backup data and not use it as an auto backup device I had planned it for. Dissappointed but will try to put 47GB of data on it again and see what happens. I always have the tool to reformat. Nothing on the WEB would work except for the tool Patriot sent me by email. Tony

[elcz311]

I forgot to add that I had write protect errors yet the tool worked without teh errors. I may have changed the device write protect in teh registry of my computer before I used the tool and that may have helped the format tool. I don't know. Look up removing write protection disable but it appears you may already have.
Tony