T&L Publications

I've got a USB flash drive that sort of died. Fortunately, all the files were backed up on a couple
of external hard drives. It's a 64GB Centon DataStick Pro. Solid all metal construction.

I was about to cut this flash drive into several pieces with my Dremel tool, so no data could ever
be recovered. Instead of destroying this stick, I plugged it into five computers. It appears in
Device Manager and My Computer but it cannot be formatted. Centon has a low level formatting
tool. Didn't work.

After a few Google searches, it seems like a firmware flash is something I should try.

This site has links to all flash drive firmware utilities:

http://www.flashdrive-repair.com/


Results from ChipGenius scan:

Description: [G:]USB Mass Storage Device(CENTON)
Device Type: Mass Storage Device

Protocal Version: USB 2.00
Current Speed: High Speed
Max Current: 100mA

USB Device ID: VID = ABCD PID = 1234
Serial Number: 0801062305468980778100

Device Vendor: CENTON
Device Revision: 0100

Manufacturer: CENTON
Product Revision: 5.00

Controller Vendor: ChipsBank
Controller Part-Number: CBM2098S(V98S) - [2013-06-06]
Flash ID code: 50504E01 - 2CE/Single Channel [QLC]

Tools on web: http://dl.mydigit.net/special/up/chipsbank.html

(Notice the misspelled word "protocal.")


If you've got the controller vendor and part number it should be easy to locate the firmware utility
for your flash drive. The vendor is ChipsBank and the controller number is CBM2098S.

I've downloaded four versions of the ChipsBank firmware flash utility:

UMPTool_v5520
UMPTool_v6006
UMPTool_v6007
UMPTool_v7000

Obviously, finding the correct flash utility is not so easy. (See attached images.)

If the flash controller was physically damaged, I don't think this Centon drive would be listed in
Device Manager and My Computer. Also, ChipGenius scanned and extracted all the info you see
above. Would that be possible if the controller was physically damaged?

ChipsBank has a long list of UMPTool versions and revisions. Maybe there is a UMPTool that would
recognize the controller in this Centon flash drive. Any help finding the correct firmware utility
would be appreciated.

Most "rational" people would not waste time trying to restore a flash drive. I just want to be sure
this Centon drive is kaput, before I use my Dremel tool.

Curiousity got the better of you?

Well....
I've seen dead HDD's that the electronics would still respond somewhat.
But with the stepper motor controller fried. I couldn't read the disk.

Now from the info you provide about the USB Stick.
I'd say the CMO's part is still functional, but the actual storage cache maybe just messed up.
A re-formating using one of the flash programs may make the memory stick use able again.
Any data on it would be lost.

But if it fails to be re-formated, and you still wish to make sure no one can access any data off of it.

You could simply put 12Vdc 2Amps across the data input/output lines and fry it.
And to make doublely sure, do the same on the 5Vdc Input and GND.



Signed: Janitor Tzap

I drill holes through hard drives with a drill press, or use it for target practice if my mood is right!

Until this Centon drive pooped out, I had no idea there was so much stuff on the web about fixing
flash drives. I have to admit, I got hooked on the idea! I just wanted to see if it could be done.

It would have been fun to see this dead gizmo come back to life.

Thanks Janitor Tzap and Lenp.

if i really wanna destroy stuff, i stick it in the microwave for a few seconds...lol

if you like the way a microwave works, try this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1000W-ZVS-Low-V ... Sw5cNYmTqI
or
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5V-12V-Low-Volt ... SwtfhYrVgW

Hacklesup, I am impressed!
Years ago I worked on an induction heating system that heated a metal fitting to be brazed with preformed washers. It used vacuum tubes high voltage, water cooled coils, a workbench and a wall mounted disconnect switch. Now, here is one you can hold in your hand; not as powerful il I am sure, but none the less, it's still astounding.
I have an old soldering tool, like a pair of pliers with carbon electrodes that I use for soldering big lugs, so just maybe this would be an upgrade?

Hummm..

I think the 12V one would make a dandy coffee warmer for the car if you had a stainless steel mug or just put a bolt in the cup. I'm not sure it would fry a chip though, it depends on the lead frame construction, the rest of a typical chip is non ferric for the most part. pretty high current.