How can I access the contents of a lock-out password-protected USB flash drive?

Question

I have a password protected Cruzer U3 flash drive. When trying to access the data contained on this drive, I typed the password incorrectly, and it is no longer prompting me for a password. I cannot access the drive's contents. Some Google searches* turned up a page on Lockergnome that describes a situation similar to mine. However, none of the solutions I found appears to be viable. All of them suggest that I format my drive, which contains incredibly important documents. Is there an alternate way to retrieve my data without formatting the drive?

_{* Search terms included "Bypassing U3 password lock", "Unlocking locked USB flash drives", and "U3 Cruzer recovery"}

Answer 1

This device is designed to do this. Many people have the same problem on the Sandisk forums and the answer is always the same. Format the drive.

Sorry mate!