I did not say there could not be similar issues caused by Windows, but now it is not the case. You should already realized this fact. This topic has had already 10000+ visitors, who look for keywords ‘USB’ ‘Sandisk’ ‘write protection’, etc.
It is not a coincidence.
I think most of us have already tried ideas (from other forums), like device properties settings in Win, USB virus scan, DOS prompt, low level formatting, registry change, etc.
THESE DO NOT HELP AT ALL.
In my case it was purely Win XP 32 bit (on 3 different PCs). I have not only my Sandisk Cruzer Blade, but 5-6 other type and brand of USB drives which I use frequently for years now. On these PCs the newly bought Blage 16GB got write protected after 2 months. Looking at the forums, many people has this issue where the above mentioned methods do not solve the problem.
Again there are cases even with Sandisk when these methods can help, but it is the minority. By now thousands of Sandisk users have this write protection error, when nothing can help so far… This clearly indicates a manufacturing / design issue at your site. When I say hardware, of course it could be firmware as well, but definitely something with the flash drive. These products are faulty. And you are selling them quickly very cheap… DISREPUTABLE!!!
Dear All who are suffering from write protection error,
The customer service answered to me and they know about the issue, so here it is to clarify the situation to everyone:
"I understand that you are getting write protection error while accessing your Cruzer flash drive. The flash drive has detected a potential fault and has become write protected to prevent data loss. There is no method to fix this. You will need to backup your data and replace the flash drive.
Our team of developers is in combination with the OS developers looking into a solution to resolve this issue.
Please note that only a minor percentage of users are experiencing the write protection issue and these are the customers posting on the internet to find a solution."
So wait, or change back your drive if it’s under warranty…
The flash drive has detected a potential fault and has become write protected to prevent data loss. There is no method to fix this. You will need to backup your data and replace the flash drive.
This is an official answer from SanDisk. Obviously it is a hardware problem…
The OS developers may find a trick, but it is less likely… Flash drives needs to be replaced as written…
There is no software solution!!! Its a hardware fault!! I use this kind of device to backup important data!!! SanDisk is not a serious company!!! BUY KINGSTON memory!! never buy SanDisk produtcts! !!! Cheng Brazil
I’ve had three of these usb drives lock up saying they were right protected (2 )16gig and (1) 8 gig. the two 16 gig drive were very new, was only able to use a gig of memory before they became locked…these are not isolated incidents…Sandisk drives have big problems will never buy another one!
What a story I bought 2 SanDisk cruzer blade 4g flask drives, If you tell me that your team can do nothing to resolve the failure off your disk then they should go and developed something else, to me SanDisk is then a waste of time and money, or is this build in errors to up sales 15%, this boring excuse is not the space worth, do you really think your customers are peanuts in a packet, do you really think we must buy the storey of it is limited to people posting it on the net, someone should wake up and do their work, resolve the problem, my first SanDisk products was the last two.
HOT topic…i am also become one of that getting this probleem…
my SanDisk Cruzer Blade 16GB that are purchased no longer and it still funtion on last 2 days…
but…when i copying the file, suddenly it is pop out what write-protected…
after that, i trying to put my file again, or format the SanDisk Cruzer Blade 16GB…it always come out
<THE DISK IS WRITE PROTECTED> !!!
THE best thing since a round CDR! Now your completely uselss storage device can be used for picking your nose! You couldn’t do that with a rubbish CDR, but you can with the Cruzer Blade!
If you’re lucky you’ll get a few monthswrite access too!
****************************
How much longer will the company refuse to accept any responsibilty for the farrago?
Now all your files will be protected forever. No more accidently deletions. No more mistaken updates. No more virus infections. No more partner changes. Protected FOREVER.
all i need is a solution to fix this properly and permanently becouse im sick of buying a usb which is useless. when i read all of the comment, most of them got the same problem and why dont u justtell us the solution so everybody and be happy about it. everyone who read my comment plz dnt waste your time to write your problem ecouse we all know whatis ur problem anyway and dnt fill the page with full of the same problem. all i need is a solution to this which works 100%. i have tryed everything else such as format, drag in and out all changing in property(advance share). so what is the solution?
when i read all of the comment, most of them got the same problem and why dont u justtell us the solution so everybody and be happy about it. . . all i need is a solution to this which works 100%. . . so what is the solution?
Don’t you think that if anyone (including SanDisk personel) knew a solution that they would post it here?
In other words, _ there is no known solution other than returning it as defective to SanDisk and getting a replacement._
This my first Sandisk flashdrive, and it will be the last one. It has been used for only half year in my hand and now it turns to a status of “Protected FOREVER”. What a joke!
Look on the bright side, you will never loose your files on it. They are frozen in time forever.
And if you want a drive that is writable your’s is still under warrantee. Return it to SanDisk and they will send you a replacement. Obviously copy your files off of it before sending it in.
I also do not understand why they do not clearly state here the problem and solution, but their customer service is much better, i would say perfect. Due to sensitive data on my drive they allowed me to damage the flashddrive before return (so I did), although it is an exception to their policy. Now a new replacement is on the way to me.
-Run Registry Editor (regedit).
-Navigate to the following registry key: -HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control
-Create a New Key named as StorageDevicePolicies.
-Highlight StorageDevicePolicies, and then create a New DWORD (32-bit) Value named as WriteProtect.
-Double click on WriteProtect, and set its value data to 1.
DONE
