flashdrive dead | track 0 bad disk unusable

See if HP's format tool will work on it.
Explanation: http://hp-usb-disk-storage-format-tool.software.informer.com/
You want to format to FAT32.
Here is the tool: http://file.walagata.com/w/perk/Assorted/SP27608.exe
when you put the url in your browser, you will get a download box. Download it BUT as always, before you run an exe from anyone, scan the file with your av and malware detector programs to be sure it is clean.

 

This is supposed to be good: http://www.pcinspector.de/SmartRecovery/info.htm?language=1
The first thing I do after taking pictures, is remove the card from the camera and burn a data CD.

Eventually if the person loses enough pictures, they will wise up and realize the small amount of time it takes to burn the pictures is minor compared to the headache if something happens to the card.

Also, I would NEVER use a tool like that above to format a camera card. Camera cards should be formatted in the camera using the software the camera came with.
Cards used in a computer, should be formatted on the computer.
I'm very careful about not mixing the sd cards for the digital cameras with the sd and sdhc cards I use on the computers.

I use this http://www.walagata.com/thumbs/perkMjG_sdholder.jpg
which is a weird sort of "card reader". The back lifts up, I insert the sd, sdhc, or micro sdhc using a holder into the back and it looks like a USB stick. I've never had a computer fail to recognize the card using this device. It is Ativia, Offic Depot's brand. That's where I bought it years ago, even befor sdhc cards existed.