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Resolved Question

Removing write protection from USB

Jul 31, 2011 4:43PM PDT

I have a WLW essentials 4 gb USB which needs to be formatted - only I get a message telling me it's write-protected. How do I remove this?

Discussion is locked

Bill McKenzie has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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The HP USB Disk Storage Tool ...
Aug 2, 2011 9:51AM PDT
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Thanks Edward
Aug 2, 2011 1:05PM PDT

I downloaded #1 but is gave me a "Failed to format" message
and #2 is for 2K or XP OS.
Grrr

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Sounds like this stick has failed.
Aug 2, 2011 1:09PM PDT

Let others try it but see if they will replace it under warranty.

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Yes, stick has failed.
Aug 3, 2011 10:42AM PDT
Into the trash bin. Thanks to all who have offered assistance!
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Answer
Additional information
Jul 31, 2011 5:54PM PDT

My computers is a Dell 620S with Windows 7 64 bit.

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Answer
First check
Jul 31, 2011 10:38PM PDT

First check to see if there's some kind of toggle switch on the drive itself. Some have a write lock switch on them. Other devices, usually freebies handed out as SWAG, comes loaded with annoying software that tends to block a lot of common Windows techniques for messing with the drive. If you know someone with a Mac, or want to download a Linux LiveCD distribution, you should be able to bypass such programs with those. Just delete all partitions on the drive, then repartition it in Windows, format it, and be on your way.

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No - no toggle switch.
Aug 1, 2011 7:59AM PDT

I use it to record TV via PVR and am able to delete data from it via the set top box so it's really not a problem. Blush

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That might be a helpful clue
Aug 2, 2011 10:55PM PDT

That might be a helpful clue. The DVR might well be using some kind of special format depending on what embedded software is powering it. Windows is kind of the American of the OS world, in that it really only speaks its own language. Every other OS out there can natively handle probably at least a half dozen different formats. So if that DVR is using something other than FAT or NTFS, Windows won't have a clue how to deal with it. If the partition type also isn't FAT or NTFS, Windows will tend to say it's not formatted, and you have to repartition it before you'll get anywhere with it. Of course if you do that, then odds are the DVR will complain about the same thing the next time you insert it.

Often times this is done intentionally so people can't say record a PPV movie, then transfer it to their computer, and distribute it over the Internet. The skill level required to get around this would preclude the vast majority of people, so while it may not be a perfect solution for the movie studios, it's certainly an effective one to their way of thinking.

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A very BIG CLUE.
Aug 3, 2011 12:08AM PDT

The HP Format doesn't work on all sticks and if it is a proprietary format you should learn how to use a Live CD such as GPARTED to tackle this since it is likely it will happen again.
Bob