USB write protected, cant reformat


  1. Posts : 14
    windows 7 Professional x64
       #1

    USB write protected, cant reformat


    badly needed help here

    my friend used my 8gb flash drive and now it was infected with virus
    and she reformat it without telling me...

    now its write protected and cant be reformat

    can someone help me how to remove the write protected thingy and recover it back?

      My Computer


  2. Posts : 7,055
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit
       #2

    Try this.

    Download Windows Executable (works without installation): HDD Low Level Format Tool ver.4.25

    HDDGURU: HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool

    Plugin your pendrive, run the executable and low level format it. It fills all the sectors with zero and reinitialises it to the factory condition.

    USB write protected, cant reformat-06-02-2013-23-28-21.jpg

    Once the lowlevel format is successfully completed, do a regular format.

    I recommend HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool. (Run it as administrator)

    Download HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool 2.2.3 Free - Windows-based Format Utility for HP Drive Key or DiskOnKey USB Device - Softpedia
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 14
    windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    oh..
    i will try this when i get back home...
    and give u feedback if it works

    :::EDIT:::

    both applications not working
    Last edited by rurikomai; 06 Feb 2013 at 23:15.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 14
    windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    ive tried the links u gave
    but both didnt work.

    ..and also i did try formatting my USB using the DOS command but still it fails.

    is there any remedies aside from those links?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 7,055
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit
       #5

    Sometimes one may overlook the switch on some pendrives. Check on that.

    A pendrive can get write-protected with virus affliction. In this case it should be possible to zerofill it and format it.

    A pendrive can also get write-protected when it reaches its end of life. In this case no more reserved sectors are available to map the bad sectors and the pendrive controller makes it write-protected making it impossible to write any files which will only get corrupted. That is the safety mechanism and in this case nothing can be done.

    It most probably died on its own volition when it was with your friend and you may be thinking it is because of a virus.

    Anyway, you may try to format it in the command window in safe mode - Advanced Options.

    You may also check the manufacturer's website for any format/repair Utility. ( Transcend, I know, has one. Do not know about others.)
    Last edited by jumanji; 07 Feb 2013 at 11:19. Reason: corrections -possible to impossible
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 14
    windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #6

    ive tried transcend repair but it failed at the middle part..
    and in safe mode, it ask for volume label since the usb doesnt have one
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 679
    Windows 7 professional X64
       #7

    Seems the USB flashdrive got virtually bricked.
    Are pendrives too expensive where you live?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 7,055
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit
       #8

    rurikomai said:
    ive tried transcend repair but it failed at the middle part.....
    That again confirms that the pendrive is dead as a dodo.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 6,458
    x64 (6.3.9600) Win8.1 Pro & soon dual boot x64 (6.1.7601) Win7_SP1 HomePrem
       #9

    Try running chkdsk on the thumb drive two times, checking if the thumb drive is write protected between executions

    1) no boxes ticked
    --> still write protected?
    2) fix file system box ticked
    --> still write protected?

    If the problem persists,
    open and elevated command prompt
    launch Diskpart
    lis dis
    sel disk #(your thumbdrive)
    lis par
    sel par #(your thumbdrive)
    lis vol #(your thumbdrive)
    det vol
    att clear readonly
    exit
    exit


    Any change?


    Regardless if you fix the R/W state of the thumb drive - it has questionable reliablity and shouldbe replaced. At the very least it should be wiped.


    Good luck.
      My Computer


 

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