Sandisk 8GB SDHC Card - Won't Format

[Nomoreheroes]

I'm trying to reformat an SDHC card but it won't play ball!

When I put the card in the reader, it sees that there is something there, but says to 'insert a disk into drive E:'

I can see drive E: show up of file explorer. I tried a quick format there but it says 'Windows unable to complete the format'. I had the same lack of luck when I went into Control Panel and Coputer Management.

I also tried SDFormatter, but it says that the disc is not supported.

I was able to format it (in SDFormatter) in December and downloaded Rasbian and Openelec onto it. But it doesn't seem to work when put into the Pi. So, something appears badly wrong.

I think its probably junk and I need to get another, but I wondered if there was owt else I could try tonight so that my son can try to use it?

[suttonred]

Don't know much about SD cards but that sounds like a typical regular hard drive that's failed.

[flammableBen]

Put it in the microwave for a few minutes.

[Nomoreheroes]

Put it in the microwave for a few minutes.

Do I need to turn it on? Defrost or full power?

[Nomoreheroes]

Don't know much about SD cards but that sounds like a typical regular hard drive that's failed.

That's what I thought.

[Pete]

If you are using a SDHC to USB adapter, try another one if you can get one. Clean contacts. Worked for me when I had a similar problem. The sandisk adapter didn't work but a cheap no name one did.

[Nomoreheroes]

If you are using a SDHC to USB adapter, try another one if you can get one. Clean contacts. Worked for me when I had a similar problem. The sandisk adapter didn't work but a cheap no name one did.

I've ruled out issues with the reader, as I can use several other cards with it (including another exact same Sandisk one). I've also tried the offending card in another laptop and found it does exactly the same there.

[Samdy Gray]

Ok, if Windows is assigning it a drive letter it should still be usable.

Open up a command prompt and type 'diskpart' (without the quotes) and hit enter.

Once diskpart loads, type 'list disk' and hit enter.

This will give you a list of drives attached to your PC. If your SD is there, you'll be able to tell which it is because of it's size.

If it does show, then type 'select disk 1' (replace 1 for whatever number diskpart gives for the SD card). Hit enter.

Type 'list partition'. Hit enter. What do you get?

Type 'list volume'. Hit enter. What do you get?