# Error message "Drive is corrupted or unformatted" and everything is read-only?

**URL:** <https://forums.sandisk.com/t/error-message-drive-is-corrupted-or-unformatted-and-everything-is-read-only/31153>\
**Category:** All other USB Flash Drives\
**Created:** [December 14, 2012, 11:01am UTC](https://forums.sandisk.com/t/error-message-drive-is-corrupted-or-unformatted-and-everything-is-read-only/31153 "2012-12-14T11:01:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![pickles4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@pickles4](https://forums.sandisk.com/u/pickles4)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 11:01am UTC](https://forums.sandisk.com/t/error-message-drive-is-corrupted-or-unformatted-and-everything-is-read-only/31153/1 "2012-12-14T11:01:49Z")

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Hi there,

Just wondering if someone could shed some light on the following error message:

“An error has occurred while initializing U3 Launchpad: Drive is corrupted or unformatted. U3 Launchpad will close now. Please format the drive, disconnect the U3 device and try again.” I disconnect the drive and try again but the same error occurs.

The weird thing is that I am able to access everything on the drive but on a read-only basis - I only worked out there was a problem when I couldn’t save things to the USB. I have no problems at all on my home computer.

This has only happened since I have been added to a different network on my work computer. I have had problems before where the device is trying to assume a drive which is already on the computer but a different error message came up to the one I’m seeing now, plus the USB is not competing with another drive as far as I can see (by looking at My Computer).

This is about the extent of my technical knowledge so if you have any suggestions as to what I can do then I would be very grateful if you could put them in lay terms!&nbsp;As the problem only occurs on my work computer I don’t have admin access, so if I need to do/change anything with the device when I’m at work I will need to be able to relay any suggestions back to the IT helpdesk. &nbsp;

Best wishes

Pickles4

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**Author:** ![ed\_p](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sandisk/user_avatar/forums.sandisk.com/ed_p/32/2333_2.png) [@ed\_p](https://forums.sandisk.com/u/ed_p)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 3:46pm UTC](https://forums.sandisk.com/t/error-message-drive-is-corrupted-or-unformatted-and-everything-is-read-only/31153/2 "2012-12-14T15:46:23Z")

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If the pc is running Windows 7 have the LaunchU3.exe program set to run in Compatibility mode with the mode set to Vista SP2.

**RIGHT** click on **LaunchU3.exe** , **Properties** , **Compatibility** , check **Run this program in compatibility mode** , select **Windows Vista (SP2)**, **Privilege Level** , check **Run this program as an admin** , click **OK**.

Another option would be to disable the U3 autorun on the USB drive.&nbsp;You will need to do this on your home pc.&nbsp;

LaunchPad window, **Settings** , **U3 Launchpad Settings** , **Autorun** , **Disable Autorun** , **Close**.

As for the read only function I suspect the company’s access policy is preventing you from writing to a removable drive.