Windows 7: USB drive is write protected.

archer · 21 Dec 2012

Hello all. I need your help. I have a USB drive and it is write protected. I cannot format it with windows advanced boot option, I am not able to change the registry value for storage policies even. I have tried multiple PCs to format it. No luck

Please help guys...it is imp.

Thanks.

Golden · 21 Dec 2012

Hi,

Have you tried to perform a CLEAN or CLEAN ALL command from DISKPART in order to wipe the drive?

Disk - Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command

Then attempt the format after that.

Regards,
Golden

jumanji · 22 Dec 2012

Check whether this helps.

1. Shutdown your computer
2.Plug-in your USB drive
3. Switch on the computer and get into safe mode by pressing F8 key.
4. In the Advanced Boot Options, select Safe Mode with Command Prompt
5. If your USB drive letter is D then C:\windows\system32>D: [ENTER]
6. D:\>format D: [ENTER]
7. If asked (Y/N), press (Y) [ENTER]

Now a full format will be done hopefully removing write protection from the USB drive.

archer · 26 Dec 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by Golden

Hi,

Have you tried to perform a CLEAN or CLEAN ALL command from DISKPART in order to wipe the drive?

Disk - Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command

Then attempt the format after that.

Regards,
Golden

Thanks Golden. I tried the method and it is still not working. I am not able to format it and even run CLEAN or CLEAN ALL command.

archer · 26 Dec 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by jumanji

Check whether this helps.

1. Shutdown your computer
2.Plug-in your USB drive
3. Switch on the computer and get into safe mode by pressing F8 key.
4. In the Advanced Boot Options, select Safe Mode with Command Prompt
5. If your USB drive letter is D then C:\windows\system32>D: [ENTER]
6. D:\>format D: [ENTER]
7. If asked (Y/N), press (Y) [ENTER]

Now a full format will be done hopefully removing write protection from the USB drive.

Thanks jumanji....as I have mentioned that the advanced boot option did not help at all. I still get "Disk is write protected".

jumanji · 26 Dec 2012

1. What is your pendrive make/model?

2. Does it have a switch?

3. How old is your pendrive and was it functioning OK before?

4. Do other pendrives work?

archer · 27 Dec 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by jumanji

1. What is your pendrive make/model? Sandisk

2. Does it have a switch? NO

3. How old is your pendrive and was it functioning OK before?It is 1 year old. YES it was working

4. Do other pendrives work?

YES

anyways, I am thinking on quitting this as this is only a 4GB drive. But, the question remains why the write protection is not getting removed?

pjhutch · 27 Dec 2012

Possible solutions:
How to Remove Write Protection From SanDisk | eHow.com
How to Remove Write Protection from a SanDisk Flash Drive | eHow.com
Also, try to regain ownership of the drive via Security tab, Advanced, Owner.

jumanji · 27 Dec 2012

When too many bad sectors are created in a flash drive and the reserved sectors mapping those out and replacing gets exhausted, the flash controller in the drive will not allow one to write anymore and makes it write protected. Your pendrive has reached its end of life.

If within warranty, you may get a replacement.
.

archer · 08 Jan 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by jumanji

When too many bad sectors are created in a flash drive and the reserved sectors mapping those out and replacing gets exhausted, the flash controller in the drive will not allow one to write anymore and makes it write protected. Your pendrive has reached its end of life.

If within warranty, you may get a replacement.
.

Thanks a lot jumanji and sorry for late reply. No, pen drive is already out of the warranty period. I will not use it. But, thanks a lot u guys.

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