Computer Hope

Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: Frejoh466 on October 08, 2012, 12:53:24 PM

Title: Format write-protected USB drive
Post by: Frejoh466 on October 08, 2012, 12:53:24 PM
I'm trying to format my USB drive, but every time I try I get the error "This media is write protected" I tried some programs but they all try to "just" format the USB and gives me the same error. I have created and set the StorageDevicePolicies in registry to 0, and tried to delete it with Unlocker. The USB have two partitions, one that acts like a normal USB, and the second that is write-protected and  have auto start with some .html files in it. And it's the second partition that I want to remove, I don't care if I have to remove everything from the USB.
Title: Re: Format write-protected USB drive
Post by: DaveLembke on October 08, 2012, 03:09:30 PM
Quote
have auto start with some .html files in it

Seen this before on promotional drives given out at events. Are you trying to wipe one of these drives clean to use as a personal thumb drive? If so i haven't found a means yet to wipe them to use them as free bee pen drives. I have heard "rumor" that companies that have these mass produced use either a single write flash chip or laser cut an open into the trace for "writing" making them read only.
Title: Re: Format write-protected USB drive
Post by: Frejoh466 on October 08, 2012, 09:24:33 PM
Seen this before on promotional drives given out at events. Are you trying to wipe one of these drives clean to use as a personal thumb drive? If so i haven't found a means yet to wipe them to use them as free bee pen drives. I have heard "rumor" that companies that have these mass produced use either a single write flash chip or laser cut an open into the trace for "writing" making them read only.

Yea, I got it from school and it's quite annoying because it's auto run every time. But I guess it's nothing I can do then. Thanks anyway.
Title: Re: Format write-protected USB drive
Post by: BC_Programmer on October 09, 2012, 12:53:29 AM
As Dave states, most Memory Chips used in flash drives have a facility for write protection. Mot flash drives nowadays usually just leave this circuit closed, allowing writes. Back when they were fresh and new, though, Flash drives had a write-protect switch controlling that trace.

The existence of said switch notwithstanding, though, you don't have many options outside attempting to complete that trace yourself somehow.