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Author Topic: Memory stick write protected (read only)  (Read 5758 times)

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Offline Aaron Hulett

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Re: Memory stick write protected (read only)
« Reply #15 on: January 25, 2018, 05:33:52 PM »
What exactly did you try using diskpart?

Online search suggests this isn't an isolated thing. Two solutions stand out - the first is to tell the OS to switch off optimization for removal and instead switch it to performance. Mixed bag on that one. The second is to use a utility to wipe the stick, but diskpart should be able to do this, hence I'm curious what you tried.

Going off memory, it'd go something like this:
diskpart
list disk
select disk #  (where # is whatever number goes with the USB stick)
clean
create partition primary
select partition 1
format fs=fat32 quick
exit

Clean is the key - this should clear everything off of it. Be sure you select the correct disk - if you clean the wrong one, well, bad times.

And yes, it's possible the stick went bad. Had it for long? Do lots of writing to it? They'll only take writes for so long, but unless it's under a heavy load (like a dashcam that's constantly writing gigabytes 24 hours a day) it should last for quite a while.
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Offline DR M

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Re: Memory stick write protected (read only)
« Reply #16 on: January 25, 2018, 05:51:41 PM »
What I tried with DISKPART:

diskpart
list disk
select disk 1
attributes disk (current status read only: YES, all the other options: NO)
attributes disk clear readonly

After these I get the message that the disk's attributes changed. But actually the current status is still read only.

I also tried the command clean.

BUT:  DiskPart has encountered an error: The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error.
See the System Event Log for more information.

P.S. The stick is two months old. Not very often used.
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Offline Aaron Hulett

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Re: Memory stick write protected (read only)
« Reply #17 on: January 25, 2018, 06:28:40 PM »
Hmm, I'd think the error from clean would be something about write protection, not an I/O error.

Here are the two other things I saw:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/279356-32-remove-write-protection-kingston-64gb-flash-drive
Quote
i had the same problem. Lots of research and trouble with my kingston flash drive,but finally I've managed it.
Go to the properties of the device -> HardwareTab -> select the device -> properties->Policies.
I've had here 2 options:optimize the quick removal and Optimize Performance. For me,the quick removal was selected, so I selected the other,the performance option. Remove device from the PC. Restick it,and it works, for me,at least. I've formatted it,and everything is well working. Good luck
Mitch from Hungary

And where I saw about the tool:

https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/352278-kingston-usb-drive-write-protected/
Quote
Thank you! I used RMPrepUSB and got it to wipe the drive, then formatted it back to NTFS and I can now write to it, thanks heaps for that!!

That tool's suggestion is from this page: https://www.raymond.cc/blog/how-to-check-and-test-usb-flash-drive/

The tool's website at http://www.rmprepusb.com/documents/release-2-0 is horrid, so here's a direct link to a ZIP that has the tool in it: http://www.rmprepusb.com/documents/release-2-0/RMPrepUSB_Portable_v2.1.740.zip?attredirects=0&d=1

From what I saw, after opening it, run the quick size test is what wipes it and runs a check. Beyond that, I'm not familiar at all with out it works.

Maybe try that first thing first, and if no go, the tool?
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Offline DR M

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Re: Memory stick write protected (read only)
« Reply #18 on: January 25, 2018, 06:35:07 PM »
I already tried the first suggestion, with no result. :(

Now, I'm going to try that tool.
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Offline DR M

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Re: Memory stick write protected (read only)
« Reply #19 on: January 25, 2018, 06:42:31 PM »
No luck.

The tool test ends with write errors.

So the stick (64gb) is dead? So simple?
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Offline DR M

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Re: Memory stick write protected (read only)
« Reply #20 on: January 25, 2018, 07:10:36 PM »
I tried some ''experiments'' in Linux, without knowing much about was I was doing.

Unmount the disk, then enter disk and colored the folders. Nothing happened. Then unmount again, enter the disk and the folders were colored.

Anyway. I would like to fix this usb stick, but it seems there is no way. It's not my year at all! :)

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Offline plodr

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Re: Memory stick write protected (read only)
« Reply #21 on: January 25, 2018, 09:19:52 PM »
There is a warranty on USB sticks. I save the cardboard sleeve that they come in.
If you still have that and the sales receipt, I think the place where you bought it might give you a new stick and send the broken one back to Kingston.

It is worth asking.
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Offline techie

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Re: Memory stick write protected (read only)
« Reply #22 on: January 25, 2018, 10:12:36 PM »
I have used HDD GURU low level format tool to repair USB sticks, that weren't performing or working correctly.

http://hddguru.com/software/HDD-LLF-Low-Level-Format-Tool/

Make sure you select the correct drive, because it will be wiped with the format.
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Offline Aaron Hulett

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Re: Memory stick write protected (read only)
« Reply #23 on: January 25, 2018, 10:21:31 PM »
Quote from: plodr on January 25, 2018, 09:19:52 PM
There is a warranty on USB sticks. I save the cardboard sleeve that they come in.
If you still have that and the sales receipt, I think the place where you bought it might give you a new stick and send the broken one back to Kingston.

It is worth asking.
I think that's the way forward, especially if what techie posted doesn't work out.
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Offline DR M

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Re: Memory stick write protected (read only)
« Reply #24 on: January 26, 2018, 12:03:22 PM »
No luck with techie's tool.

The fact that all the files are accessible isn't strange? Or it's something normal? Just ask for learning.
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Offline Pete!

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Re: Memory stick write protected (read only)
« Reply #25 on: January 26, 2018, 12:57:50 PM »
Quote from: DR M on January 26, 2018, 12:03:22 PM
No luck with techie's tool.

The fact that all the files are accessible isn't strange? Or it's something normal? Just ask for learning.
No, not strange. The purpose of write protection is to keep something from being deleted or changed, not to hide it.

For example...
I once got a "free" thumb drive from Columbia College.
It had two partitions, one was empty, the other had Columbia advertising.
I was free to use the empty one as I saw fit.
The one with the advertising was write protected, to protect the content. Having their advertising around was the price of the "free" drive.
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Offline Digerati

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Re: Memory stick write protected (read only)
« Reply #26 on: January 26, 2018, 02:05:00 PM »
As far as returning the stick to Kingston, the risk there is if there are any sensitive files or personal information on the disk you would not want others to see. Kingston, for sure, is a reputable company but they cannot ensure each of their employees are every day.

It is possible (if not likely) Kingston would just toss the stick in the recycle or trash bin and not spend any resources ($$$) trying to fix it. On the other hand, if they are seeing a pattern of returned sticks, they may analyze it thoroughly to see if there is a design flaw, widespread manufacturing defect, or just a one-off problem.

IMO, it should be treated like any other mass storage device leaving your hands. If you cannot "wipe" all data from it, the device needs to be physically destroyed.
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Offline plodr

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Re: Memory stick write protected (read only)
« Reply #27 on: January 26, 2018, 02:05:24 PM »
I have one very old tool I resort to. (I never format any sticks using Windows built in format option).
It is from HP. I'm almost positive because it is so old, it won't work on a Windows 10 computer. I use it on XP and 7.

Get a friend running an older version of Windows to  to grab the tool, take the stick to his/her computer.
https://filehippo.com/download_hp_usb_disk_storage_format_tool/

If I have trouble with a stick, I first use the Quick format in this tool. Then I am able to do the long format and the stick is usable again. It only does FAT, FAT32 and NTFS. If your stick is formatted differently it will revert to one of those 3. (Don't use FAT - it is too old to be useful).
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Offline DR M

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Re: Memory stick write protected (read only)
« Reply #28 on: January 26, 2018, 02:42:24 PM »
Quote
If I have trouble with a stick, I first use the Quick format in this tool. Then I am able to do the long format and the stick is usable again. It only does FAT, FAT32 and NTFS. If your stick is formatted differently it will revert to one of those 3. (Don't use FAT - it is too old to be useful).

No. Message: The disk is write protected.

Quote
IMO, it should be treated like any other mass storage device leaving your hands. If you cannot "wipe" all data from it, the device needs to be physically destroyed.

Exactly. Especially when all the files are accessible. 30 euros for a two months stick.

Quote
No, not strange. The purpose of write protection is to keep something from being deleted or changed, not to hide it.

Thanks. Is it possible this write protected stubborn thing is caused by a virus?


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"In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars will be laughing when you look at the sky at night.. You, only you, will have stars that can laugh..."
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