How to Format a Write Protected Disk

[killer bee]

I have "Jetflash Transend 8GB" flash drive. I can't format it. When i try to delete or format it this error appears "The disk is write protected" so how do i format it. That flash drive contains some Trojan horses.

 

[brianzion]

hi there see if this helps you

Boot your computer into safe mode. To do this, restart your computer. While it is rebooting, continually press the F8 key until a menu pops up. From that menu, select "Safe Mode."

Open Windows Explorer. To do this, wait for your computer to finish starting in Safe Mode. From the desktop, press the windows key and "E" simultaneously.

Right-click on the disk you're attempting to format. Select the "Format" option from the pop-up menu.

If the steps above do not work, try editing the registry directly. Select START (bottom left of your screen) and RUN to open the run dialog box. Type "regedit" (without quotes) into the dialog box that appears, and press enter.

Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies. Change the value for the key "WriteProtect" to 0


For formatting a USB drive that is write-protected, there is a software tool that can help. If you can't format your write-protected drive with the steps outlined above, try downloading and running the free HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool >>> HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool - v2.1.8 Download - EXTREME Overclocking

information here >>> http://www.ehow.com/how_5187399_format-write-protected-disk.html

 

[brianzion]

also have a read of this other thread with the same problem >>> http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/61770-cannot-format-usb-flash-drive.html

 

[killer bee]

If i plug my virus contain pen in safe mode is it ok?

 

[brianzion]

oh i forgot you said you had a virus. on the pc what anti virus software do you have? can you connect the drive without it booting up and run a scan on it?

 

[killer bee]

Are there any way to remove "Write protection" in my pen without formatting.

 

[Bill2]

Are there any way to remove "Write protection" in my pen without formatting.

Unless the pen is physically write protected, the error message could be due to a defective drive or the root of the drive being full. In the latter case, try creating a new folder at the root of the drive and dump all the files into it.

Otherwise, reformatting is the only way out. If all the registry tricks dont work, theres a brute force tool available from apacer that many people have found effective.

http://www.apacer.com/en/support/downloads/Repair_v2.9.1.1.zip

Other things to try would be formatting with a 3rd party tool like the HP format utility or from outside windows.

 

[brianzion]

Are there any way to remove "Write protection" in my pen without formatting.

Unless the pen is physically write protected, the error message could be due to a defective drive or the root of the drive being full. In the latter case, try creating a new folder at the root of the drive and dump all the files into it.

Otherwise, reformatting is the only way out. If all the registry tricks dont work, theres a brute force tool available from apacer that many people have found effective.

http://www.apacer.com/en/support/downloads/Repair_v2.9.1.1.zip

Other things to try would be formatting with a 3rd party tool like the HP format utility or from outside windows.

thanks bill good call. i have to go offline to college lecture for now. would you mind helping if needed thanks

 

[killer bee]

Are there any way to remove "Write protection" in my pen without formatting.

Unless the pen is physically write protected, the error message could be due to a defective drive or the root of the drive being full. In the latter case, try creating a new folder at the root of the drive and dump all the files into it.

Otherwise, reformatting is the only way out. If all the registry tricks dont work, theres a brute force tool available from apacer that many people have found effective.

http://www.apacer.com/en/support/downloads/Repair_v2.9.1.1.zip

Other things to try would be formatting with a 3rd party tool like the HP format utility or from outside windows.

When i run this apps it shows "USB flash drive not found" error. My pen has 42 Trojan horses, I have kaspersky internet security but its can't delete or disinfect that Trojan horses because of pen drive write protected. So please help me.

 

[SIW2]

Do you have this key?

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies

WITH A WRITE PROTECT VALUE OF 1

 

[killer bee]

oh i forgot you said you had a virus. on the pc what anti virus software do you have? can you connect the drive without it booting up and run a scan on it?

I have Kaspersky internet security 2011 and its up-to-date.

 

[killer bee]

Do you have this key?

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies

WITH A WRITE PROTECT VALUE OF 1

No i don't have that kind of key in my registry. My OS registry only has HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\storage" key. If i create a "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies" then what is it left hand site key name

 

[brianzion]

i thought the value is 0 (Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies. Change the value for the key "WriteProtect" to 0)

 

[SIW2]

If he already had the value set to 1 - that might be why it is protected.

He could try creating the dword and setting to 0 and see if that helps. Not sure it will.

It is likely the virus is protecting itself.

Otherwise - if he has checked his PM - he would have fixed it by now.

 

[GEWB]

When i run this apps it shows "USB flash drive not found" error. My pen has 42 Trojan horses, I have kaspersky internet security but its can't delete or disinfect that Trojan horses because of pen drive write protected. So please help me.

Wow, 42 Trojans! Are they all Windows based? If so, I would either find someone with a Linux installation or download a live version, such as Knoppix or Puppy Linux, burn to CD, boot from the CD and format the pen drive from there - no way to hurt your Windows drive if you don't mount it.

Regards,
GEWB

 

[killer bee]

i thought the value is 0 (Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies. Change the value for the key "WriteProtect" to 0)

What type of key should i create in "StorageDevicePolicies" key ,( ex-DWORD key or "QWORD" key or "String" key or other one). Please tell me it i have no idea for that.

 

[brianzion]

hi sorry for late post how did you get on?

 

[Layback Bear]

Don't be mad. A 8 gb thumb drive is about 10 to 12 dollars. Why would you want to take a change with one with a virus on it. Through it away and get a new one. I know money doesn't grow on trees but virus do.

 

[killer bee]

I format my pend drive using Ubuntu OS. No my matter 100% fix.

 

[Layback Bear]

A format does not wipe a drive clean. Their are some virus ect. that can be activated once you start using that drive again even after a format.