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‎03-07-2023 06:02 AM

HP Recommended

I have 3 HP USB 3.1 x796w 512GB USB Thumb Drives, 2 of which have become read only (for some unknown reason).
all attempts to delete/format/remove partitions/wipe the keys with software have failed (typically with unknown error), and I can't return them for warranty until they have been wiped due to the sensitive nature of the data currently on the thumb drives.  (I can't tell the status of the 3rd drive, as I passed it to my Dad, and he's now overseas, so won't be touching that key for a while)

I have tried:
Windows 10:
 - Windows Explorer -> Right Click -> Format
 - Windows Explorer -> Select folder -> Right Click -> Properties -> uncheck Read-Only
 - Command Prompt (Administrator) -> Format x:
 - Command Prompt (Administrator) -> Diskpart -> clean/format/delete partition
 - Computer Management -> Disk management -> (all destructive options greyed out)

 - Aomei Partition Manager -> Delete volume
 - Paragon Partition Manager -> Delete volume
Mac OSX:
 - Disk Utility -> Erase
FreeDos:
 - Format x:
Linux:
 - mkfs.ext3 /dev/sd3

QNAP (QTS5.0):
 - External Drive -> USB -> Format

All of them fail because "media is write protected" or something similar (or unknown error)


There is no hardware read-only switch on the USB key (that I can see)

Has any one else encountered this issue with the HP x796w USB keys?
Does anyone have an ideas about how I can wipe these keys?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and suggestions.

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