I get where you are coming from with Linux distro, but have you tried Arch Linux? Anyway, what do you think about this comparison given here? In the end...there really is no winner right??
I don't think you can do much with it. Simply because the metal contacts of the device oxidize slowly over time and once this coating becomes thick enough electrons can't flow any further.
If i am not mistaken Windows Live Mail can do this. I also remember a friend once told me about a program called un-dbx but i can't really go into details about it.