I know this is an older post, but I figured I'd post the solution that worked for my 16gb PNY drive. This solution comes as a sort of 'reset' tool directly from PNY..
I was having a similar issue with my 16gb PNY Attache USB 2.0 drive where I could see it in Disk Management, but it showed up as 0mb size, and when I tried to open it, but I'd get a message saying there was no media inserted. After ~3 days (an eternity in my book) of constant troubleshooting, recovery tools, testing (all this even on a Mac), etc. I FINALLY found a solution.
Before I give you the link I'll warn you (and anyone else who might use it) that the tools on this page will erase your drive. I think in the OP's case that's OK, but I wanted to give that little disclaimer just in case.
![Ufix-ii by pny Ufix-ii by pny](https://www.pny.com.tw/images/product/M31fef545703.jpg)
Without further ado, here is the page of tools directly from PNY that will help you basically reset your flash drive back to factory settings/configuration! Once you're on this page, click the downloads tab and download the appropriate tool. In my case, I tried the first one (Ufix I) which didn't work, so I used the second one in the list (Ufix II) which beautifully restored my flash drive to it's original working form.
Good luck,
Jake
Hello,
Thank you for posting your question on Microsoft Community Forum.
I would like to know some information about the issue so that we could assist you further.
1. Did the other USB device work on the computer?
2. Did you check flash drive on the other computer?
3. What is the exact error message you are getting?
Method 1
Try running the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.
Refer: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Open-the-Hardware-and-Devices-troubleshooter
Ufix-ii By Pny
Method 2
Try to run the following fixit and check with the issue:
Diagnose and fix Windows USB problems automatically
Method 3
Reinstall USB controllers.
This method resolves steps where the currently loaded USB driver has become unstable or corrupted.
1 .Click Start, then type device manager in the Search box, then click Device Manager.
2. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers. Right click a device and click Uninstall. Repeat for each device.
3. Once complete, restart your computer. Your USB controllers will automatically install.
Pny Ufix Tool
![Pny Pny](https://www.pny.com.tw/images/product/thumb/Md82c8184622.jpg)
Pny Ufix Iii
Hope this information is helpful. Please do let us know if you need further assistance, we’ll be glad to assist you. Who is panic at the disco.
Thank you
Posted by10 months ago
Archived
Dell OS Recovery USB drives
We have hundreds of the 8GB flash sticks that come with the new Dells for OS recovery. Since we do all our own imaging we have no need for the USB sticks being used for that purpose. We’d like to store data on them as we see fit, but unfortunately the drives are read-only and do not allow us that ability. They cannot be formatted. I’ve searched all over the web and I know it’s possible on previous models but I have not been able to successfully reflash our specific USB sticks. We have the VJ3VF_A00 model usb stick. (black with a light blue label)
I’ve tried many different programs suggested on Techunboxed. This includes the MPALL software, PNY UFix software, and the SMI MPTools. (various versions on all these) In each case the USB stick is not even recognized. It seems the manufacturer of the stick is Mentor Media. We even took one apart.
Has has anyone successfully been able to reconfigure the Dell USB sticks with P/N: VJ3VF_A00 so they can be used for storage purposes rather than OS recovery? We just throw them away now and it would be nice if we could actually use them.
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