Can corrupted USB key identification code be rewritten to the key?

Hello,
I have two USB keys from Dell. Both were getting detected by XP Pro properly as Dell keys. Now I'm having trouble with one - it gets detected, but no longer identified as a Dell key. I've tried on numerous computers, with consistent results. I get the message "Found New Hardware - Your hardware is installed and ready to use", and a few seconds later, the dreaded message "USB Device Not Recognized - One of the USB devices attached to this computer has malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it."
I've tried various file recovery programs, but since Windows does not recognize it, none of the recovery programs to date can even see that drive (yes, I would like to see or recover the files on that drive if possible, although not of huge importance - I just don't give up easily on trying to fix things!).
Based on my limited understanding fromthis experience on how USB keys appear to work, I'm guessing (and hoping) that the hardware is ok (the light goes on, and it is being detected by Windows to a certain degree), and that if I can just rewrite the USB key identifier code (firmware?) (I'm assuming that's what Windows is looking for) I might be okay (without touching the file allocation table if possible).

I've forced software updates to replace corrupted software on a router before (different situation though, I know), I'm assuming that can be done for USB keys too, but I haven't found the solution yet.

If I remember correctly, back in the days of the floppies, you could make one bootable by copying system files over to it using a "sys" command at the DOS prompt...anything simliar for USB keys?

Jimmy