How to format write-protected USB flash

[Franky]

Hello,

I have a USB flash memory that while there isn't any switch on it when formatting it says can't format, it's write-protected! Why it's this way and how to format it please?

 

[matts6887]

There should be a way to make it not read-only. I would try right clicking on the usb drive in computer and clicking on the read only attribute to un-check it. If it wont let you do it; then you probably need to re logon as administrator and take ownership of the drive which should enable you to disable the read only attribute. If it doesnt allow you to do it even at that point; then you will probably have to make your user name for logon a member of the administrators group which should hopefully allow you do what you need to do with it. hope maybe this helps ya.

 

[Franky]

There isn't any writing named read-only for changing the read-only state in that usb properties.

 

[rvcjew]

do it in diskpart open a elevated command prompt and then do what i did below and select the disk the is the flash drive you can tell by it size and then detail disk and it will show you if you picked right if not select the right disk again. when you have the right disk selected then do clean and it will wipe the disc and then be unformatted and windows will want you to format it. then type exit to leave diskpart and exit again to close the prompt.
good luck

 

[Franky]

This was the result.

 

[rvcjew]

oh well that sucks you could try doing it in gparted with a bootable iso of it.

 

[Franky]

you mean I should use gparted bootable CD and within it try to format that USB drive?

 

[rvcjew]

Yeah gparted might not care what permissions it has.

 

[Franky]

I also tried parted magic OS. And it also wasn't capable of change it even a bit.

 

[rvcjew]

that sucks, try this> How to format a write-protected USB flash drive or memory card - PC Advisor as its is more things you can try in diskpart to actually remove the attribute and format it. also the reg trick looks interesting if windows doesn't care then it might just let you format it, i would backup your registry first though.

 

[Slartybart]

The image in post #5 shows
Current Read-Only State: YES

The Diskpart command should resolve the issue - no need to muck in the registry
Select the correct disk in diskpart and then issue
att disk clear readonly

 

[Franky]

I did that work. this is the image.
But still problem exists.

 

[Franky]

that sucks, try this> How to format a write-protected USB flash drive or memory card - PC Advisor as its is more things you can try in diskpart to actually remove the attribute and format it. also the reg trick looks interesting if windows doesn't care then it might just let you format it, i would backup your registry first though.

I have did those works before posting this problem here.

 

[Slartybart]

The volume label and format leads me to suspect a virtual reader might be causing some issues.
Do you have any disk imaging SW / virtual OD emulators? (DaemonTools, MagicISO,...)

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Please post the following system information: Speccy snapshot

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How to publish a Speccy snapshot:
Click on the Speccy file menu and select Publish Snapshot. This method removes sensitive information and provides you with a link to the report.

Copy the link returned from Publish Snapshot and paste it in a post on this thread so members have more information to better assist you.

Published Speccy report of my machine: http://speccy.piriform.com/results/CHlegp43qppad1Ua8dOLDAj

Thanks

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Please also post a new diskpart

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diskpart
lis dis
sel dis # - where # = the removable HD
lis vol
det dis
sel vol # - where #= volumes on the removable HD (do the sel and det for each volume on the HD)
det vol
exit
exit

 

[Franky]

The volume label and format leads me to suspect a virtual reader might be causing some issues.
Do you have any disk imaging SW / virtual OD emulators? (DaemonTools, MagicISO,...)

---

Please post the following system information: Speccy snapshot

---

How to publish a Speccy snapshot:
Click on the Speccy file menu and select Publish Snapshot. This method removes sensitive information and provides you with a link to the report.

Copy the link returned from Publish Snapshot and paste it in a post on this thread so members have more information to better assist you.

Published Speccy report of my machine: http://speccy.piriform.com/results/CHlegp43qppad1Ua8dOLDAj

Thanks

---

Please also post a new diskpart

---

diskpart
lis dis
sel dis # - where # = the removable HD
lis vol
det dis
sel vol # - where #= volumes on the removable HD (do the sel and det for each volume on the HD)
det vol
exit
exit

Sorry I can post (if I haven't posted before) snapshots of diskpart but about that huge information about all of my machine's details it causes me to think that "This is a risk". sorry again.

 

[Slartybart]

Ok, but that's like taking your car in for repairs and not letting the mechanic look under the hood. There's no personal information in the PUBLISHED report that is of any use (sure the computer name and profile name is published, but that's not private information).

Please post the diskpart information. If that doesn't show anything interesting I won't be much help without the Speccy info.

Sorry I can post (if I haven't posted before) snapshots of diskpart but about that huge information about all of my machine's details it causes me to think that "This is a risk". sorry again.

 

[carwiz]

Was the USB written on another PC?

 

[Layback Bear]

Have I missed something.
How did this device get wright protected in the first place?
Is this device also copy right protected?
Has this device been encrypted?

 

[straubalexander]

Be Administrator
Then Right-Click>Properties>Security>Edit>Add>(Add Username)>Check Full Control>Apply/OK
THEN YOU'RE DONE!(Remember to change the attributes for Read Only Unchecked!)

 

[straubalexander]

Own risk

Be Administrator
Then Right-Click>Properties>Security>Edit>Add>(Add Username)>Check Full Control>Apply/OK
THEN YOU'RE DONE!(Remember to change the attributes for Read Only Unchecked!)

I forgot to mention that if something goes wrong,I am not the troublemaker!