Hello techno-wizards,

I come to you with the following problem:
My USB stick says it's write-protected, doesn't recognize the files on it (which don't need to be recovered, ideally want to format).
When I try to format, it tells me I can't, due to write-protection.
Removing write-protection via regedit doesn't affect it, neither does removing the readonly attribute via diskpart.
There is no physical write-protection, either.
Trying to force-format via programs like mUSBfixer causes explorer to crash, or mUSBfixer to report success, despite that not being the case.
No viruses on my system or the stick.
I have tried turning it off and on again.

At this point I am seriously considering just throwing it out, but I figured it can't hurt to ask.
Will attempt almost anything (bar voodoo, you heathens), would be thankful for suggestions.

Test the stick with H2testw - http://www.heise.de/download/h2testw.html

I did try that, thanks, the only output it gives me is:


after telling me that it will only test 940 instead of 947MB, and that I should format the drive first for best results. Wish I could

Also did some more googling, looks like it might just be done. Was a free stick, no biggie.