From what everyone is saying about the problem with the sanDisk U3 SMART Cruzer, we have a problem, Houston. You mean to tell me there is no way for me to recover my extremely important data from this

If it's manufactured after october 2009, which it probably is, it is no longer compatible with U3.

Each U3 smart drive comes with a pre-defined number of login attempts. When you have only 3 attempts remaining, you will receive a warning message to prevent losing your data unnecessarily.
SanDisk does not have any method to bypass the password security feature on Cruzer U3 flash drives. SanDisk has not built in any back door or password reset methods. If the password feature is enabled and you exceed the number of incorrect password attempts, the drive will lock. Once the drive is locked there is no way to unlock the drive or gain access to the data stored on the device. You can only select the format feature, which will perform a secure erase (drive wipe) and data recovery will NOT be possible. U3 Cruzer flash drives which are password protected use 128bit AES encryption for data security

http://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/191

contact the u3 smart drive manufacturer

How do I uninstall U3 from my flash drive Most U3 smart drives come with an uninstall utility that converts the U3 smart drive into a regular USB flash drive. This utility can be accessed from the U3 Launchpad. Open the U3 Launchpad and click on Settings, then select U3 Launchpad Settings and click on the Uninstall tab. Some devices have a link to the Uninstall utility under Help and Support.
If you can not find the uninstall utility on your U3 smart drive you can download it from the following locations:
Remove U3
U3 removal tool for MAC

U3 is the software application launcher, download and replace it with an updated version. This being availibile on www.sandisk.com site. Hope it helps

Start at the beginning. Look at how you entered your password and retrace your steps.

Here's the manufacturer's driver download site. Find the right product and operating system here:http://www.sandisk.com/DriverDownload/index.asp

New ones avail:

1. Microsoft and SanDisk team up on U3 replacement - Engadget Microsoft and SanDisk team up on U3 replacement .... is actually pretty good, but they charge you extra to be able to install any program not on their list. ...
   www.engadget.com/2007/05/11/microsoft-and-sandisk-team-up-on-u3-replacement/ - 99k - Cached - Similar pages
2. GnU3zer U3 LaunchPad replacement (download torrent) - TPB Oct 28, 2006 ... GnU3zer U3 LaunchPad replacement ... The windows CD autorun function can execute ANY program specified in the autorun.inf file provided it ...
   thepiratebay.org/torrent/3547144/GnU3zer_U3_LaunchPad_replacement - 16k - Cached - Similar pages
3. Microsoft, SanDisk to Replace U3 Drives Microsoft and SanDisk on Friday announced a technology-sharing agreement that will produce a replacement for SanDisk's U3 line of USB smart drives by the ...
   www.physorg.com/news98193946.html - 55k - Cached - Similar pages
4. Microsoft and SanDisk still working on StartKey - the new U3 ... Mar 7, 2008 ... Microsoft and SanDisk still working on StartKey - the new U3 replacement ... Microsoft and SanDisk Expanding on and Replacing U3 Smart ...
   www.u3-info.com/sandisk/microsoft_and_sandisk_still_working_on_startkey_the_new_u3_replacement - 13k - Cached - Similar pages
5. 
   

Strange... Vista does seem to have a problem with everything Sandisk...

Anyway, this should be all you need:

Launchpad Installer

Launchpad Uninstaller

Is the account that your tying to access the drive with an Administrator account? If not, Log in as Administrator and try to access the new drive. If you ARE using Administrator privileges on the vista machine, the problem lies in the U3 smart driver. Try downloading and installing the drivers for the XP SP2 os on scan disks website, If vista rejects the install package off of the scan disk website, let me know and i'll extract the drivers and build an install for them for you.