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General discussion

Help! USB flash drive suddenly became write-protected

May 10, 2013 8:45AM PDT
Question:

Help! USB flash drive suddenly became write-protected


I have a 64GB USB flash drive that suddenly went "write-protected" (read only). It has no tiny little switch to unprotect it, but seeing as there really wasn't anything critical to be lost, I decided that a simple reformat would fix it up. Unfortunately, W7 can't format it because it's write-protected. The error message says to undo the write protection before formatting (starting to look like an old "Catch-22" scenario). I bought it on eBay from China and can't identify the manufacturer, so there is no help there.

I scoured the Internet to find what I was sure would be a simple solution. I've tried virtually every suggestion and freeware tool that numerous Google searches have proffered. My drive is still unusable and to my surprise, it turns out that there are quite a lot of us out there getting increasingly frustrated with the same problem. Short of smashing the drive with a hammer, I don't see how else to end this dilemma.

Frankly, you are my last resort. Unless some genius out there has a solution that actually works, I'll definitely resort to using a hammer. If it comes to that, I bet I will even smash it with relish. That's how frustrating this seemingly simple problem has become for me.

Anyhow, thanks in advance for any help you can hook me up with.

-- Submitted by: Norm B.

Discussion is locked

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Best fix for Vista
May 31, 2013 2:08AM PDT

Personally I found the best fix for any problem regarding Vista OS is to install something that works. MS should have just called it Hoover

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worn out flash
May 31, 2013 2:06AM PDT

I wore one out. Not the memory part but the little cover that slid back and forth to cover the plug. LOL I just took the cover off and use it that way. I just use it for Linux live boot now.

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Is "worn out" being used as a synonym for defective ?
Jun 1, 2013 6:57AM PDT

Totally agree . The specs of a USB flash drive make it impossible to be "worn out" specially since 99% of flash drives showing problems miraculously cure themselves in another system and when brought to the system that "wore it out" is still defective.
besides a "worn drive" (if that was the possibility) , why would it have R/O flag or report locked. ?? if it is worn out , you would get a drive not found period .

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Yes, I have a worn out usb...
Jun 13, 2015 4:09AM PDT

You said you were interested in the error that the machine said, and mine doesn't say "Out of space".
Mine says;
**Error creating file system: /dev/sdb1: Input/output error**
when trying to format the drive.
In Windows, with partition wizard 8 (home edition), it says "Format complete!" (yay!) and then reloads the old partition because it actually couldn't write anything to it anymore...

I cannot show you what happens when I copy files to it, because the partition is broken.
I hope this was useful

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Re: usb
Jun 13, 2015 4:43AM PDT

Time to throw away the stick and buy a new one.

Kees

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They do wear out.
Jun 13, 2015 7:29AM PDT

So if all the above doesn't bring it back, then re-review above and below. I've lost track where I repeat the advice and find it's something already covered (other PCs, other format apps, etc.)

I have hope folk will learn to share make, model, age, story (it went through the laundry or dog) as well as learning these are not forever devices.

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life cycle?
May 31, 2013 1:59AM PDT

Then I guess mine will last forever since I just use it to store my tools and don't write to it except to add another tool. The first thing to wear out on mine has always been the cheap plastic case. That and the one I slammed in the car door. I was still able to get my data off of it before I tossed it.

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USB drive "worn out"
Jun 1, 2013 6:47AM PDT

Let's look at statistics and standard life cycle; of a GOOD USB drive leaving the factory.

3,000-5,000 program-erase cycles
100,000 writes
The most fragile element is the (what else) the manual element of inserting /removing the drive USB connector hardware is specified to withstand only around 1,500 insert-removal cycles.
Based on this , does the user feel that his/her usage of the drive would warrant it to "wear out"?
The "lock" is not an uncommon thing since it is nothing but an attribute flag . Unfortunately that flag is NOT within the data part of the drive so you may insert in one drive reformat and the flag may still appear to be ON on another machine. Not any different that SMART technology , which you can not get it to read out exactly the same in every machine you use. I have had Seagate drives which are sold with SMART technology and a Seagate diagnostic will refuse to acknowledged it is a SATA /SMART drive but a SCSI drive.Why is this ? All depends on the SATA controller and the exact configuration it had when shipped. Technology is NOT as fool proof as we think it is, actually it is pretty unreliable.

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Old Endurance Data
Jun 2, 2013 3:21AM PDT

3000-5000 Program Erase Cycles, 100,000 writes. Where did you get this information? This may have been the case many years ago, but due to the latest revisions of flash to reduce cost, you can only dream of that kind of endurance.

The data you mention is for MLC flash around 3 years ago. The USB stick we discussed was probably bought recently, with TLC flash. The likely P/E cycles are around 100. You are right that removing the drive causes problems. After removing the USB stick without first ejecting, the USB stick will have to go through a series of recovery routines, which causes a lot of writing and moving of data, without you writing a thing.

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Say what?
Jun 2, 2013 1:46PM PDT

Per Kingston, there are 3 types of flash drive memory: MLC (multi-level cell) with 3-5k write cycles, SLC (single layer cell) with their spec at 50k writes with others saying 100ki, and TLC (tri-level cell) with up to 1k writes per physical cell. So, assuming the TLC, you could write to the entire drive approximately 1000 times. I have to wonder how many times you have completely filled a 64gig drive and then rewritten the entire contents of the same drive. Kingston drives include extra memory to deal with "bad sectors" which develop over time and wear leveling tech built into their FLC.

According to the research at Northeastern University, they found that usb flash drives significantly exceed the predicted write cycles. In their tests, "the cheap generic drive handled 77 million writes before failing." Gee, 77 *million* writes. For the cheap generic drive. The Memorex drive they tested didn't fail ... they couldn't test it long enough to break it. They projected 60Bn writes, but couldn't wait that long.

Test results reported by ZDNet in March of 2010: http://www.zdnet.com/blog/storage/usb-drive-life-fact-or-fiction/849

Your results may vary, but I will trust their scientific and presumably repeatable results over your conjecture.

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I wrote to the manufacturer and got replacement
May 10, 2013 10:30AM PDT

I am afraid William who said to buy from a reputable manufacturer is correct. I had this problem with a Centon and wrote them. They offered a replacement. Perhaps The Bay knows the manufacturer. If not then you have no or little recourse.

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Try downloading Ubuntu LiveCD
May 10, 2013 10:31AM PDT

Hello Norm B.:
While there are many things that could be affecting your USB flash drive, being the most serious a hardware problem, I would recommend downloading Ubuntu Linux Live CD, boot your computer without installing it, and then running gparted (partition utility) to verify what might be going on. Sometimes you just need to repartition the USB flash drive, but be forewarned that you will loose all your data on the drive.

Also, there are some counterfeit USB flash drives that state a much higher capacity than that of the electronics inside of them, and sometimes it shows up not allowing you to add or remove files on the flash drive.

Another thing to consider is pesky malware that sometimes takes your data ransom. Erasing the partition information on the USB flash drive (using a Linux distro like Ubuntu Live CD) might get rid of it, but you should check it afterwards with your Antivirus and Antimalware software.

For an extensive tutorial on using gparted check:
http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/gparted.html

Hope this helps!

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Try the regedit ...
May 10, 2013 10:43AM PDT

On "start" write "regedit" on the search programs and files and hit "enter".
This will open the registry editor.
Click and open this path:

KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\ CurrentControlSet\Control \StorageDevicePolicies

Ob storage devices, USB flash right click and select write protect and select modify and change to value 0.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Another posible solution:
How to remove a write protection from your USB memory Stick if there is no Write protection ON or OFF button on stick then
1. Shutdown your computer or laptop
2. Insert USB Memory Stick into your laptop or Computer
3. Turn on laptop and then immediately start pressing (FCool key then Advanced Boot Options screen will come up
4. Select Safe Mode with Command Prompt
5. After loading files if your USB Memory Stick drive letter is (G) for example then write as
6. C:\windows\system32>G: and press enter
7. G:\>format G: and press enter
8. If ask you (Y/N) then press (Y) and press enter
9. Now a full format will start which remove write protection from USB Memory Stick.
Note:
Before removing USB from your computer, Always remove it safely by going into to my computer then right click on USB and click eject.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Also with DOS you can try this:
Try this, in Windows XP - goto Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Command Prompt. This will open up a DOS window. Now type the name of your flashdrive followed by a colon, eg, mine was drive letter K so I type K:

Now to list the directory, type DIR
This will show your directory. At this point I left the DOS window open and went back into Windows and clicked on the drive in Explorer. The write protect error still came up, but after clicking a couple of times I could see and open the files on the drive.

Anyway, once you're in DOS you should be able to copy any files you want to another drive using the DOS 'copy' or 'xcopy' commands, and format the drive from DOS also. eg, To copy all files and directories (except empty directories) from drive C to drive A, enter

xcopy c: a: /s

Good Luck,
Eric

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Registry
May 17, 2013 5:29PM PDT

I tried this registry edit - it failed.

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An added possibility to go with the Regedit...
May 24, 2013 3:17PM PDT

I'm glad to see this option being brought out and explained so well. I have some plastic cased drives and some have come apart, where's the Super Glue when you need it. As easily as a setting in the registry can be changed (accidently?) from 1 to 0 or vice versa, the soldering of cheaper made devices (expensive ones too) can also fail in essential locations causing an improper result/response as the device works from its hardware setup opposed to a software setting/config. Although not easy, it is possible to fix the hardware frailties when one knows what and where to look for it and has the right equipment with steady hands to take care of it. I watched it being done on circuit boards a while back. Cool! You may not need the exact blueprints to fix such and another manufacturer may be able to help if the Drive is worth the effort. Best Wishes, Tom.

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Resoldering isn't realistic
May 24, 2013 5:12PM PDT

Years ago back when mobos had 4MB RAM I had one running with 2MB and everything was fine. One of the sockets for the extra two sticks was slightly cracked. I eventually tried installing 2MB more and the computer went crazy. I repeatedly tried removing and reinserting the stick although it was a tight fit, etc. Finally, at about 2 am on Sunday I pulled the entire computer apart. It turned out the board manufacturer in Asia had noticed the broken socket. They started replacing it, unsoldered several pins, and then shipped the board. (Years earlier I worked for a US company that did something similar--"Look, these must be at the loading dock on time! Let the importer's QA people fix it!") I soldered the pins back in and it was fine.

BUT ... I worked for a decade as a component-level repair tech, i.e., "find the defective part on the board and fix it. I had a small-tip soldering iron, etc.

But those socket pins were nowhere near as small as parts today. Any soldering and desoldering equipment for home use would trash something like a flash drive--and that's not even taking into account the fact that the person attempting the repair doesn't have years of experience soldering precision electronics.

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An added possibility to go with the Regedit...
May 26, 2013 4:39AM PDT

Really Tom? You think that I might have the knowledge to know where to look for it and have the right soldering equipment with steady hands to take care of it?

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Help! USB flash drive
May 24, 2013 10:58AM PDT
Cool AWESOME info. Eric, so cool.
Thanks, will keep for future reference
for myself as well, just in case!
~Patsy Lee
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Regedit
May 26, 2013 5:51PM PDT

Thanks Eric M. sadly I have tried that also.....wont format as it is write protected.....sometimes it will try for about an hour then gives up and gives a 'windows cant complete the task' or something error. I have smaller flash drives that had a very short lifespan, I am trying to revive one that is empty but has a RAW file system. Can I replace the file system without formatting?

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Did you try taking ownership?
May 27, 2013 10:48PM PDT

This may or may not be a permissions problem. I dunno. Since most replies have focused on it being a 'bad' stick, it can't hurt to try something different.

Try to take "ownership" of the drive. At least you'll know you've covered that angle.

Happy

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Flash Drive-Write Protected
May 10, 2013 11:13AM PDT

There is a simple solution for thisin the case of windows.
Just do a "regedit" for StorageDevicePolicies key. . Get
into the Registry - Press Start ->Run, enter regedit, press Ok
Click on My Computer. Then press File Export, give some file
name to backup the registry. Just in caseyou ever need to rollback.
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/StorageDevicePolicies .
In the right pane select "writeprotect" . RESET the value to '0' Repeat
the same for ControlSet001 and ControlSet002 incase they exist. Now plug
in your USB drives and it should work. Else just reboot the machine and try.

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Either the drive is EOL or not
May 10, 2013 11:52AM PDT

If indeed you have reached the maximum read/write cycles there is no help. Smash it with a hammer if it gives you pleasure.

However, if the read-only attribute somehow got set, any OS should be able to undo it. In Windows Explorer, right click on the drive, select "properties", select the "security" tab. Give yourself "full control". e.g. if you're logged in as "administrator" give "administrator" full control. Or else, at a command prompt (cmd.exe, power shell) do "attrib -R [drive] /s". You should now be able to format it.

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Smashing your drive...
May 24, 2013 11:00AM PDT

Smashing your drive with a hammer is a great idea!

Your thought that you would smash it with relish would never work... for that matter, smashing it with ketsup, mustard, or even cole slaw won't work either.

Stick with the hammer!

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Flash drive revenge
May 24, 2013 12:05PM PDT

I have also used an AXE to a Laptop with great success. Right through the LCD screen. Took a picture and it helps me cope each day since then 10 years ago. Just sayin'

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Flash Drive Revence
May 25, 2013 3:08AM PDT

I've been invited to post a video of me smashing it with a hammer. I'm seriously thinking about it. Cheers.

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Smashing your drive...
May 26, 2013 6:44AM PDT

Ok if not with relish..... how about with gusto?

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Don't rely on one product

Hi Norm,

I would be careful about buying thumb drives from Ebay. There are users in electronic forums that have documented fake products where the product is doctored to say it has more memory than it does. If that is the case, you probably filled it up and can't write to it because there is no more memory. There are also sellers who get good feedback from me and then the product breaks on me.

I would right click on the device and click on properties. See what settings are set.

I am like the thumb drive king as I just compulsively buy them and the reason is I feel that I need copies of copies because they are so easy to drop or misplace. I have three backups at home and a couple in another safe location.

I can't put a price on how much time I spent writing articles so having backups is important to me. There is no reason why you should trust only one thumb drive. I think you should have a good backup plan because data can be priceless. I would also think about the cloud and make your backups someone else's responsibility because the cloud can't be lost or stolen (in theory).

I would recommend everyone look up "bitrot" on Wikipedia as it relates to media.

Chuck

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What is workmanship?

The manufacturing process determines workmanship.

I had an old thumb drive that stopped working. I think it was USB 1.1 and when I took it apart, the chip fell out. Chips are supposed to be surface mount soldered and then the soldering job is supposed to be checked by an x-ray or microscope. Sometimes chips can come lose and might have to be resoldered. It all depends upon the manufacturing process. I kind of think they placed the chip on the board of my thumb drive and then clamped the case on it holding the chip in place. It would be rediculous things like that which cause people problems because the manufacturer cut corners.

There are a lot of things that can go wrong in manufacturing. I know a man who had someone produce boards for him that he designed. A portion of them come to him not working that he doesn't feel it is worth it. Was the product produced by humans or machines?

I also know a guy who takes his thumb drives apart, pots the thumb drive with liquid glue and then reseals them to make them water proof. I've also had thumb drives go through the washer and dryer twice and survive. I've talked to people who have dropped theirs in the pool and they have worked.

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Pay a few bucks and get a new USB drive
May 10, 2013 12:39PM PDT

Since you can still read, copy all your data to the new one and use the old for a keychain.

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No checks with x-rays or microscopes
May 24, 2013 5:21PM PDT

I worked at several high-volume electronics manufacturers. It wouldn't be cost effective to examine each solder joint with x-ray or microscope. Parts are just run through automated testing and if it passes it ships. Depending on the manufacturing cost, sometimes repair isn't financially viable, so if it fails it just gets junked.

"Cold" solder joints do occur--where resin surrounds a lead and then solder surrounds the resin, resulting in no permanent contact, but that tends to be pretty rare with the automated soldering processes used nowadays.