USB thumb flash drives are "write protected"

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  1. Posts : 5
    Windows 10 Pro
       #1

    USB thumb flash drives are "write protected"


    Bought 4 PNY 16GB USB thumb drives and every time I try to format them, the computer kicks back that they are write protected. Have tried ALL the solutions listed and explained in the 10 forums here, and nothing works to disable the write protection on my machine. Tried diskpart, Command Prompt, and Computer Configuration and nothing resolves my problem. BTW, there's no switch on these USB drives.
    Anybody know of a fix?
    My machine is Dell Optiplex 960 w/6 Gb memory.
    Thanks for reading my post and possibly helping me,
    73s
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #2

    Hello kc4raf, and welcome to Ten Forums. :)

    You might see if any of the options in the tutorial below may be able to help.

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/3...e-windows.html
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 5
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks for the quick reply Brink.


    Unfortunately when I tried those options earlier on, none solved the problem of disabling the write protection on those USB flash drives. Tomorrow I'll give it another try. BTW, when I placed those same drives into my Windows 7 machine, it would allow me to format and copy folders to the drives. But when inserting those drives into the Windows 10, it won't allow me to copy anything to those drives. It's weird and has me climbing the walls, (except for now; I'm getting ready to watch a movie and relax, lol).
    Also, thanks sir for placing my post in the right forum; I failed to use my brain.lol
    And thanks again for replying to my post.

    edit: btw, my machine is Dell Optiplex 960 with Win. 10 Pro 64
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 2,322
    Win10
       #4

    Did you try PNY's USB3 Format tool? Ufix-V...the bottom one for USB3 , might have to use on your Win7 system 1st.

    http://www.pny.com.tw/index.php?cls=2&mode=download
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #5

    kc4raf,

    Is the USB formatted using FAT32 or NTFS?

    If NTFS, then see if formatting it with FAT32 on your Windows 7 computer may allow you to have access on any computer you connect it to afterwards. Be sure to back up what's on the USB first though.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 5
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Thanks to all who have tried to help.


    After trying the possible solutions in posts 2, 4 and 5; still write protected USB sticks. If I ever come up with the solution to my dilemma, I will come back to "tenforums" to post the results. I am sure there will be others who will run across this problem and or the fix. Until then, thanks to you all for the help. Great site here for those who have Windows 10.
    73s and thanks again.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 2,322
    Win10
       #7

    kc4raf said:
    After trying the possible solutions in posts 2, 4 and 5; still write protected USB sticks. If I ever come up with the solution to my dilemma, I will come back to "tenforums" to post the results. I am sure there will be others who will run across this problem and or the fix. Until then, thanks to you all for the help. Great site here for those who have Windows 10.
    73s and thanks again.
    If they all do it I would contact PNY and look into an RMA.......

    I have only had this once and Patriot emailed me a low level formatting tool not available on the Net to fix it, I thought Ufix was the same type of LLF Tool.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 19,511
    W11+W11 Developer Insider + Linux
       #8

    Write protection is usually indication of bad or dead USB.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 5
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #9

    This past Saturday, I sent PNY an email describing my problem.


    About an hour ago they replied and gave me a link to download a new firmware for the offending USBs. They had a "batch" that went through their quality control with "write-protection" enabled. Did as they requested and now all is right with my machine.
    Here's the link for the firmware should anybody need it. Comes with instructions to boot:

    USB Firmware Update (16GB Retract USB Model Only)

    The offending USB sticks are:
    PNY 16 GB flash drive 2 pack. Wal-Mart and other stores.
    P-FD16GX2RTC-GE


    Thanks to you guys for helping me out, many thanks
    Have a great day and
    73s
    Roger
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #10

    That's great news Roger.
      My Computers


 

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