Share via

USB flash drive won't format

Anonymous
2011-02-10T16:11:39+00:00

Dane Elec 16GB USB flah drive.

When inserted, it tells me that it needs formatting. But I cannot format it, because somehow it is write-protected. However, there is no switch or any mechanical possibility to remove the write-protection.

I have tried unlocker, formatting as ntfs (with XP, Win7 and DOS), but nothing works.

Any suggestions?


Met vriendelijke groet Rob

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments

Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous
2011-02-10T16:33:26+00:00

Hello,

Did you try to format your pendrive but instead of using NTFS you use FAT 32?

Click on windows start orb

type cmd and do right click and select run as administrator

type diskpart

type list disk

select the disk which is your pendrive. For example if your pendrive is no 2 then type select disk 2

type clean

type create partition primary

type format fs=fat32 quick

type exit

Now see if it finally formatted your USB Flash Drive

Regards,

Andrew


Always 'Vote as helpful' for those who helped and 'mark as answer' if the info helped you in a sort of way. Thanks Andrew Young- MCTS Windows 7, Configuring

Was this answer helpful?

100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments

38 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Anonymous
    2011-02-10T17:01:48+00:00

    In disk Management is the drive detected? and if so can the partition be deleted there, then recreated / formated?

    It is detected. I tried to delete but it won't do that: "write-protected".


    Met vriendelijke groet Rob

    Was this answer helpful?

    4 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2011-02-10T18:47:23+00:00

    SORRY, but.........

    You need to INITIALIZE it first, before you can FORMAT it!

    Your USB Flash-drive in a RAW state,when first purchased, do the 'above' and it should work properly thereafter!

    Was this answer helpful?

    3 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2011-02-10T17:00:34+00:00

    At "Clean", I get the message that the medium is write-protected ...

    Create partition won't work either because there is 0 B free.


    Met vriendelijke groet Rob

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2011-02-10T16:34:35+00:00

    In disk Management is the drive detected? and if so can the partition be deleted there, then recreated / formated?

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments