write protected flash

[kazan]

Hi,
I wonder anybody could help me with this :

My workmate has "new" 256MB Speed Drive (USB 2.0) which always - when trying to access or write to - reports that it's not formatted and if we want to format it. When I say YES it runs formatting dialog and then says that it's write protected. It has switch Locked/Unlocked for writing but it doesn't matter which is choosen.
Inside is some "stuff" with PHISON chip and memory module SAMSUNG K9F1G08U0M-YCB0.
Drive si visible in Explorer and diod lights when accessing but can't write.
Do anybody what to do to make it work ? Thanks K.

[bailey]

sounds like the switch is borken, or not making good contact

[kazan]

I also inclined to version of broken switch, so I looked inside this switch. After first two attempts of taking apart and putting together nothing changed/improved. Then I tried to plug it with out that switch and that was a mistake. Now diod constantly blinks and additional drive no more appears in Explorer . So I guess I destroyed it completely.
Stupid idea! ((((

[bailey]

ESD got ya!!

[HAL9000]

Amazing... I forgot mine in my jeans the one day and it went thru the washer and dryer... still works.

[kazan]

Without ESD. It might sound like boasting but I think I know when it is necessary to use it a when not. I rather think that current flew somewhere it hadn't without that switch. But it's only my guess.
I also bought another piece of that pen drive (PD)- the same type - (for further experiments) and tried the old memory module (MM) in it and also new MM in old device. Not a single one worked. But that new PD has little bit different both MM and integrated circuit (sorry I don't know how do you call that little green base plate with circuits).
That new PD works without problems, so I think that the old one was somehow defective but how? K.