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Resolved Question

Is my USB Flash Drive broken?

Dec 2, 2011 2:40AM PST

Hi there, I tried to access my SanDisk 8GB USB flash drive but after I'd plugged it in Windows told me it needed formatting. I tried to go ahead with formatting it however it said "Windows could not complete the format".

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saythinkdomake has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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The clue is that heat.
Dec 2, 2011 2:47AM PST

I have to agree that it's gone.

As to long periods I can't say that's it. We've used them to run an OS from without trouble HOWEVER...

However USB DRIVES are made for maximum bytes for the lowest costs so be sure to have a healthy distrust here. That is, treat them as a fine copy and never "storage."
Bob

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Answer
Looks improper
Dec 2, 2011 3:01AM PST

Flash drives aren't suppose to get hot. I believe you have a defective flash drive or a reason to make an attempt for a replacement provided the warranty is in effect or can be since this isn't suppose to happen. I don't make it a practice to keep flash drives plugged longer than required, but that's me. Again, if your PC is in itself hot, it maybe causing the drive to be harmed adversely as my guess.

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Answer
Dayyyum
Dec 2, 2011 3:34AM PST

Ah okay, that's real annoying! Thanks a lot guys for the help!

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Answer
hardware defective
Feb 13, 2012 12:37PM PST

Yap, it definitely sounds like the hardware inside the USB flash drive are faulty, most likely a burnt out component or bad solder connection. If you are resourceful you can take the housing off and try resoldering or pinpointing the problem, better yet desolder the flash memory and keep it as a backup.