OT: How to Clear Write Protection on a USB Thumb Drive in Windows 7?

[newbert]

I have brand new USB Thumb Drive that I've successfully been using to back up files to for the past month. It is still almost empty - not even close to being full. Suddenly today I got a message that it's write-protected!

Can anyone explain how this could happen and how to clear the write protection on it? I don't see any kind of mechanical switch etc on it..... This is for use with Windows 7.

Thanks!

 

[Durge Driven]

Does it show in windows explorer ?
Can you copy all content to local partition on PC ?
Then format the USB fresh
Check content / files for permissions
Copy content back to USB

 

[newbert]

Does it show in windows explorer ?
Can you copy all content to local partition on PC ?
Then format the USB fresh
Check content / files for permissions
Copy content back to USB

Good thought, but....

When trying to format it, I get a pop-up window saying that the disk is write-protected, so it won't even reformat. I tried both FAT32 and NTFS.

What exactly do you mean by "Check content / files for permissions"?

Thanks!

 

[Please Stop This]

seems like bad luck, thats most of the time a sign of a broken drive
tried on another pc? is it a well know manufacturer?

Try this tool, it can toggle some (but not all) drives to be a removable or a fixed disk.
("Flip Removable Bit" button)
Or try its "Format" button, maybe its possible with it.

I am absolutly not sure if this changes anything, but worth a try.

Lexar BootIt Tool - Format Tool

The Lexar BootIt tool, also called USB format tool. Download available on this page, complete with instructions on how I used it.

www.tipsdotcom.com

 

[newbert]

Thank you for that link! However neither "Flip Removable Bit" nor formatting worked. So it looks like this drive is shot after about one month and perhaps 6 uses.

That's the last time that I buy anything from Staples (other than printer ink).