Remove write protection from usb flash drive

Lord_Gardener

Have got a Play.com 4GB usb flash drive which I've been writing to ok. However, when I try to remove/delete files it flashes up a message saying 'disk is write protected'! I've tried formatting but error message comes up saying can't be completed! When looking at its properties it say's that it is in RAW (not formatted?) but when I try to format it just says that 'the disk is write protected' or the disk in drive F cannot be formatted! Help, what do I do?

Linbox

Ensure there is no physical lock on it - like on a SD flash card.
If you have a Linux /LiveCD from root delete all files and format as required - If this wont work your flash drive may be kna***red.

Belnahua

From experience, it's expired. Sorry.

Lord_Gardener

Linbox wrote: »

Ensure there is no physical lock on it - like on a SD flash card.
If you have a Linux /LiveCD from root delete all files and format as required - If this wont work your flash drive may be kna***red.

I'll give it a try!

Lord_Gardener

Loaded Puppy but couldn't get the drive to 'mount' Error message kept popping up saying that it wasn't connected! Any other thoughts or is it really toast? If it is toast I'll be really disappointed - only 1 month old and used twice!!!!

vyseyboy

You could try a low-level format of the drive. There's a free version of a program here that claims to do it:
http://www.killdisk.com/

Some info. about a similar case:
http://m3rlinez.blogspot.com/2007/01/just-rescued-my-write-protected-usb.html

Sometimes the drive manufacturer makes available a low-level format / recover tool, but as it's a low cost rebranded one, maybe not this time.

Obviously, you'll lose all your data if you choose this route.

chris667

If it's Puppy 4, have you tried switching from probedisk to mut? Click the "engine:default" button at the bottom left of the window after you click "mount" on the desktop.
If it is done for, I suggest crucial as a place to buy replacements. The prices are very good, and they're nice to deal with.

Lord_Gardener

Downloaded Low-level format utility from Apacer's site after trying all different way's of trying to format usb flash drive (before attempting Killdisk!) Utility seems to be same file size for most drives! Ran utility (which took some time!) but ultimately came up with message saying formatting failed! Tried normal format after this 'cos it had taken some time to produce message (hoped that it had changed something!) and it worked!! Drive formatted to Fat 32. I've transfered a number of files to and from it, only problem seems to be that some files won't delete but have to be 'cut' from the flash drive to clear them? Heaven knows how long it will work but fingers crossed for now, Thanks to all who helped.