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I was copying a Linux distribution image to a USB flash drive (Kingston DataTraveler SE9 G2 USB 3.0, 16 GB) using the dd command. As the copying was in progress, I clicked the eject button in the File manager app (nautilus). This interrupted the process of copying. Now the USB Flash drive cannot be formatted.

If I try formatting the device, identified as Kingston DataTraveler 3.0 (PMAP), using GNOME Disks (gnome-disk-utility) it gives an error message:

Error wiping device: Failed to wipe signatures on the device '/dev/sdb' (udisks-error-quark, 0)

And subsequently the drive identifies as a “Phison 2307 PRAM.”

GParted at startup shows a Libparted error:

The backup GPT table is corrupt, but the primary appears OK, so that will be used.

For information, before attempting the formatting, lsusb lists the drive as ID 0951:1666 Kingston Technology DataTraveler 100 G3/G4/SE9 G2/50 Kyson.

lsusb --verbose -d 0951:1666 outputs:

Bus 002 Device 002: ID 0951:1666 Kingston Technology DataTraveler 100 G3/G4/SE9 G2/50 Kyson
Couldn't open device, some information will be missing
Negotiated speed: SuperSpeed (5Gbps)
Device Descriptor:
  bLength                18
  bDescriptorType         1
  bcdUSB               3.10
  bDeviceClass            0 [unknown]
  bDeviceSubClass         0 [unknown]
  bDeviceProtocol         0 
  bMaxPacketSize0         9
  idVendor           0x0951 Kingston Technology
  idProduct          0x1666 DataTraveler 100 G3/G4/SE9 G2/50 Kyson
  bcdDevice            1.10
  iManufacturer           1 Kingston
  iProduct                2 DataTraveler 3.0
  iSerial                 3 6CF049E16B59B14049372093
  bNumConfigurations      1
  Configuration Descriptor:
    bLength                 9
    bDescriptorType         2
    wTotalLength       0x002c
    bNumInterfaces          1
    bConfigurationValue     1
    iConfiguration          0 
    bmAttributes         0x80
      (Bus Powered)
    MaxPower              504mA
    Interface Descriptor:
      bLength                 9
      bDescriptorType         4
      bInterfaceNumber        0
      bAlternateSetting       0
      bNumEndpoints           2
      bInterfaceClass         8 Mass Storage
      bInterfaceSubClass      6 SCSI
      bInterfaceProtocol     80 Bulk-Only
      iInterface              0 
      Endpoint Descriptor:
        bLength                 7
        bDescriptorType         5
        bEndpointAddress     0x81  EP 1 IN
        bmAttributes            2
          Transfer Type            Bulk
          Synch Type               None
          Usage Type               Data
        wMaxPacketSize     0x0400  1x 1024 bytes
        bInterval               0
        bMaxBurst               3
      Endpoint Descriptor:
        bLength                 7
        bDescriptorType         5
        bEndpointAddress     0x02  EP 2 OUT
        bmAttributes            2
          Transfer Type            Bulk
          Synch Type               None
          Usage Type               Data
        wMaxPacketSize     0x0400  1x 1024 bytes
        bInterval               0
        bMaxBurst               3

Whereas after attempting the formatting and getting the error message, lsusb lists the drive as ID 13fe:5500 Phison Electronics Corp. Flash drive.

lsusb --verbose -d 13fe:5500 outputs:

Bus 002 Device 003: ID 13fe:5500 Phison Electronics Corp. Flash drive
Couldn't open device, some information will be missing
Negotiated speed: SuperSpeed (5Gbps)
Device Descriptor:
  bLength                18
  bDescriptorType         1
  bcdUSB               3.00
  bDeviceClass            0 [unknown]
  bDeviceSubClass         0 [unknown]
  bDeviceProtocol         0 
  bMaxPacketSize0         9
  idVendor           0x13fe Phison Electronics Corp.
  idProduct          0x5500 Flash drive
  bcdDevice            1.10
  iManufacturer           1 Phison                  
  iProduct                2 2307 Boot ROM           
  iSerial                 0 
  bNumConfigurations      1
  Configuration Descriptor:
    bLength                 9
    bDescriptorType         2
    wTotalLength       0x002c
    bNumInterfaces          1
    bConfigurationValue     1
    iConfiguration          0 
    bmAttributes         0x80
      (Bus Powered)
    MaxPower               96mA
    Interface Descriptor:
      bLength                 9
      bDescriptorType         4
      bInterfaceNumber        0
      bAlternateSetting       0
      bNumEndpoints           2
      bInterfaceClass         8 Mass Storage
      bInterfaceSubClass      6 SCSI
      bInterfaceProtocol     80 Bulk-Only
      iInterface              0 
      Endpoint Descriptor:
        bLength                 7
        bDescriptorType         5
        bEndpointAddress     0x81  EP 1 IN
        bmAttributes            2
          Transfer Type            Bulk
          Synch Type               None
          Usage Type               Data
        wMaxPacketSize     0x0400  1x 1024 bytes
        bInterval               0
        bMaxBurst               3
      Endpoint Descriptor:
        bLength                 7
        bDescriptorType         5
        bEndpointAddress     0x02  EP 2 OUT
        bmAttributes            2
          Transfer Type            Bulk
          Synch Type               None
          Usage Type               Data
        wMaxPacketSize     0x0400  1x 1024 bytes
        bInterval               0
        bMaxBurst               3

Is it possible that the interrupted dd command somehow corrupted the firmware of the controller?

I would like to format the drive and have it usable again. I don't mind wiping the drive clean as it doesn't contain any data I couldn't lose.

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1 Answer 1

0

If a file system is badly damaged, remove it, i.e., delete the partition, making it all empty space.

Then create a new partition on the drive, and format it.

Use dd or wipefs to remove the partition, or a utility with Gui such as Drives. That same utility can recreate the partition and format it.

N.B.

Be very attentive to which drive you're working on!

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