Thumb Drive Write Protected

[Michael]

I have a Kingmax USB 2.0 256MB thumb drive which appears to be write protected.
I don't see any option allowing me to turn on/off write protection on the thumb drive.
It was working fine all the while until recently.
Have tried on different computers with different OS.
Tried to format it but failed due to write protected.
Norton found an virus W32.Rontokbro.U@mm on the thumb drive but couldn't remove it because access is denied.
Any idea?
Thanks.

[unlovedwarrior]

go to my computer right click the drive go to properties and is  the read-write box checked??



unlovedwarrior

[Michael]

There is no such read-write checkbox.
Just usual drive info:

Type
File System

Used Space
Free Space

Capacity

[Raptor]

Did you use software to encrypt the data? If so, you can most likely only use it on the PC that you have installed this software on..

[unlovedwarrior]

have you tried on another computer another usb port on your computer like one of the bac kones

[Michael]

Did you use software to encrypt the data? If so, you can most likely only use it on the PC that you have installed this software on..

No. It used to be worked on a few computers in my house and office.
The worm that Norton detected is just a mass mailing worm, so I don't think it plays a part.

have you tried on another computer another usb port on your computer like one of the bac kones

It doesn't work on any computer on any USB port - front or back.

[patio]

Quite a few of the Kingston USB units shipped with a tiny switch on them for write-protect....most people complained they were so small they were hard to find.

Inspect the unit carefully for one of these...

patio.  8-)

[Fed]

I have some thumb drives here with little switches, the covers can be turned around so you can't even see the switches. If you didn't know you wouldn't know.

Product Specifications :
Erase cycle : 1 million times.
Acoustic noise : 0 dB.
Shock resistance : 1000G max.
Data retention time : more than 10 years.
Access rate : Read Speed > 4.2MB/sec.
Write Speed > 1.0MB/sec.
Power consumption : 77.4mA ~ 84mA.
[highlight]Write protect switch : Hardware. [/highlight]
Weight : 20g.

Model
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kingmax USB 2.0 256MB USB Pen Drive

[Michael]

The thumb drive is perfectly covered except there is a sliding lock at the side - but this is not for the write protection, just to lock the USB connector as it is slided out (refer picture below)

It has been proven by pushing it to the unlock position but the thumb drive is still write protected.

I couldn't find any other suspicious switch for write protection.

[patio]

What does it say at the manuf. website ? ?

patio.  8-)

[Michael]

Hardware failure they said.
And ask me to send back to them.
But unfortunately the warranty has expired.
So good bye to my birthday present.

[ale52]

Look at it this way...you've got a birthday coming, right?  

Alan <><