Trouble Wiping an SD Card

[codyw]

I have no idea what category this would fall under on this forum, but I'll try this one first.

I have an 8GB SD memory card that has over 8,000 pictures on it and am trying to wipe it. The first time I wiped it and ejected it from my laptop, I ASSUMED it was wiped. To my surprise after trying to use it again, it didn't wipe. I plugged it back into my laptop and it said the same thing it did the first time around - 253MB free of 8GB. I have tried reformatting the card and Windows gives me some kind of weird message saying its unable to reformat it. I have right-clicked all the pics and looked at their properties/attributes and the Archive checkbox was checked. I unchecked it, deleted all the pics once again and ejected the card. This time, I plugged it back into my laptop and it didn't wipe.

What's going on with this SD Card??? Anyone know of a solution?

 

[Layback Bear]

I have never did a sd card but if it's like anything else right click, go to properties and make sure read only isn't checked. Try it and let me know so I can learn a little.

 

[codyw]

I've already done that and the Read-only was not checked. I have NEVER had this happen with an SD card nor have I ever heard of it happening in general. I am absolutely stumped.

 

[jumanji]

Try formatting it with SD Formatter. https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_3/

 

[codyw]

I installed the program and attempted to format the card. I get an error message when I try formatting the card that says:
The Memory Card is write-protected.
Please release the write protect switch.

Now what? Where is this "switch" it keeps talking about?

 

[jumanji]

Generally, if a flash drive or memory card gives out a write-protected message, no matter what formatting tool you try, it would mean the end of life for the device.

As a last ditch effort, try these two.

1. HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool Download HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool 2.2.3 Free - Windows-based Format Utility for HP Drive Key or DiskOnKey USB Device - Softpedia

2. HD LLF Low Level Format Tool (Windows executable not rrequiring installation) to try initialising it to factory condition by writing zeroes to all sectors - may take quite sometime if you are able to run it.

If both these fail, give up and buy a new SD Card.

 

[datapod]

Now what? Where is this "switch" it keeps talking about?

 

[jumanji]

^ That's a good point that I missed. Thanks datapod for bringing it out.
Hope that helps if the OP really didn't know about the switch.

That said when SD Formatter asked for the release of the switch, wouldn't the OP have looked for one? I wonder.

 

[codyw]

I have checked the card and it is unlocked. I had a feeling the card was done for. I suppose it's time to smash it...

 

[jumanji]

Hold on! I have yet one more trick to be tried.

On the opposite side of the switch, you will find a small notch. Cover this notch with a piece of masking/electrical tape without anyway obstructing the connection finger that almost extends to the notch.

With the tape covering the notch, insert the SD card and try to format. Does not work? Add one more layer of tape and try. And then one more layer.

If this trick does not work, you have no choice. Buy a new one.

 

[Victor S]

I've seen this issue raised before. In fact I've got a 4gb SD card that remains write protected however I move the tab.
I might try the tape trick when I get around to it, but the real problem is the contact in the reader being out of place. Might be able to bend that back to fix things up. I'll look at that first - if I can even see it with my not-so-good-anymore eyes.

 

[codyw]

Tried covering the notch with tape and that didn't work either.
Hmmm...
Time to get another one.

Thanks all for the suggestions!