Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

How do I unlock a write protected flash drive?

Mar 26, 2013 3:15PM PDT

This is a 16G HP flash drive, model is v195b.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Clarification Request
Did you try the usual? Link follows.
Mar 27, 2013 1:57AM PDT
- Collapse -
I have tried everything that can be found on the web......
Mar 27, 2013 3:06PM PDT

But none is useful in this case.

It has nothing to do with registry. The flash drive can be formatted or low formatted by using special programs but it is just write-protected, nothing can be written into it.

Format is to write something in the drive. I just didn't understand why it can be formatted but cannot be written.

- Collapse -
There is another issue
Mar 28, 2013 6:42AM PDT

Such as does the OS and this PC support such a large drive?

I don't want to repeat prior history discussions about drive sizes but there's that and then you have the old failed drive problem.
Bob

- Collapse -
They support......
Mar 28, 2013 9:19AM PDT

I have tried different OS and computers, from single core to quad-core and from XP to 7. It just didn't work.

- Collapse -
That's the final test then.
Mar 28, 2013 9:37AM PDT

These drives can fail. If it's under a year old, it's a warranty issue.
Bob