What's happened to my SanDisk 16Gb micro SD card?

[rfisher]

Used in a dashcam.

All looks fine except that files aren't being written to the card, I can't format it or delete any files.

I can copy files from it and do a surface read check ok.

It seems to be locked to write, but Windows and the dashcam don't report any error when writing files to it.

Can it be reset or should I just bin it?

[robbieduncan]

Have you accidentally moved the lock switch?

https://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/110...

[rfisher]

Thanks, but no.

It's a micro SD card and doesn't have a physical lock option.

See here; https://www.amazon.co.uk/SanDisk-microSDXC-Memory-...

I'm wondering if there is a software switch on these that's been activated somehow.

[buggalugs]

The card will go read only if it’s failing, you’d normally get an error when saving though.

[Dave.]

You could try a low level format....

https://hddguru.com/software/HDD-LLF-Low-Level-For...

[rfisher]

Yes it's definitely not behaving.

Are there any recommended freeware low level software programmes (apps) around that will let me have a play with it's internals?

Hex editor may be first thing to try I guess.

I like to mess around with stuff.

Modern electronics are not as exciting to play with as the old 240V valve amps and TVs that I used to fiddle with as a teen though.

Can't beat a nice large mercury rectifier humming away in the corner.

I digress

[rfisher]

Dave. said:

You could try a low level format....

https://hddguru.com/software/HDD-LLF-Low-Level-For...

Perfect.

Thanks.

[eltawater]

Don't waste your time, it's failing so just bin it.

When a replacement can be had for so little money:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingston-microSD-SDCS2-Ad...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transcend-64GB-microSDXC-...

Just check the maximum size of card your camera can support first, some of them only go up to 32GB.

You *really* don't want to be standing at the side of the road after an accident discovering that the card hasn't been recording all week.

[buggalugs]

+1, they go read only for a reason.

[rfisher]

Low level format said it had completed but it hadn't worked.

Card will be incinerated with the garden waste.