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I have a microSD card that has become read-only. I cannot write to it, or delete files from it, or format it, or repartition it. (Various computers think they can delete files, but after removing and reinserting the card, they are back).

SanDisk have offered to RMA the device under warranty, but I am concerned about sending it back with my data still on it. Is there any way I can wipe the card at a physical level without damaging it (voiding the warranty).

I guess a strong magnet is out of the question as flash isn't magnetic storage.

Edit: Clarified that this is a microSD card. It has no write-protect switch. I have also tried using dd - no result; the command hangs awaiting I/O. I have also tried using a different card reader and a different host computer (one Windows 7, the other Ubuntu) - and also without a card reader by trying to format the card while in my Android phone. The card is definitely broken.

Update: I explained the situation to SanDisk and they offered to let me return the card broken into pieces. Turns out microSD cards have about the same breaking strength as a hard matchstick.

enter image description here

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  • If you haven't tried it yet, use the Linux command dd. The methods you did mention all have to read and rely on parameters obtained from the SDcard. As an enduser, dd is the lowest-level command available for writing.
    – sawdust
    Oct 31, 2014 at 22:40
  • Perhaps the issue is your card reader. If you have a camera that supports SD cards, try doing a low-level format using the camera (not connected to the computer, use the cameras built in format features)
    – Robin Hood
    Nov 1, 2014 at 20:10
  • @jl6 you just broke the external case, actual flash memory chip and silicon cells inside might still be intact. They would have recovered your data ;) Jul 2, 2019 at 10:10

2 Answers 2

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You may consider following the legal route instead of the technological route. Probably the company in question has some sort of privacy statement - check it out on their website and get a written conformation (email with a person's name and function should be enough) that your data will be kept private. After that, send your microSD card, with a note physically attached to it stating that you explicitly exercise your right that your data is being handled according to the privacy statement.

Another option is to explain your concern to the manufacturer and agree (with the manufacturer) to the following route (before execution of it): make a picture of your microSD card, showing that it is in perfect physical condition. Take a picture of today's newspaper with it to date it. Print a log of your failed deletion of the file - preferably dated after you took the picture of the card. After that, take a hammer and smash a nail through your microSD card and send it all (photo, print and destroyed card) back to the manufacturer.

Finally, if you're not willing to take the risk, take your losses and buy a new one. For compensation you might want to consider buying a lottery ticket too and try your luck there. :-)

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    I went with the destruction option, at the advice of the manufacturer!
    – jl6
    Nov 18, 2014 at 21:04
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Have an inspection of the write-protect tab on the SD card - to have write enabled the tab has to be closest to the gold contacts, and this sometimes gets pushed back to read only when inserted, and back to write enabled when removed. Fix the tab in place with a very small amount of strong glue, making sure you leave plenty of time to dry - tape won't work as most brands are not thin enough.

Hopefully once you have fixed the write protect tab to read/write then the card will be writable again. Otherwise, try Sandisk's SD card utility available on their website.

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  • Sorry, it's a microSD card - no write protect tab.
    – jl6
    Nov 1, 2014 at 20:53

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