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Virus on pen drive making it write protected

Discussion in 'Storage and Networking' started by hitech0101, Jan 20, 2012.

  1. hitech0101 TechSpot Enthusiast

    I have 4gb pendrive it is infected with some virus which is making it write protected & unable to use it.I am unable to format it so far i have to tried different things:
    1.Tried formatting it on linux.
    2.Tried different tools like neo9,hddformatter,jetflash,hpusbtool & a few more.
    3.There is another way of changing registry values in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Contro\StorageDevicePolicies but i am unable to find that registry key (using win7 64bit ultimate).
    4.Tried antivirus it detects the threat but unable to clear it out.
    5.Tried cmd & then a variety of methods to format/partition but no use.
    6.Also tried computer management with same message "the drive is write protected".

    Now i have run out of options but i am amazed how none of the above methods have worked,already spent 2 hours searching for a solution but unable to find one.
    Please someone help me i want my pen drive back.
    hitech0101, Jan 20, 2012
    #1

  2. LNCPapa TS Special Forces

    A bit difficult for me to fathom this being a virus issue if even formatting it in linux isn't possible. Are you sure it's not as simple as a lock switch toggled on?
    LNCPapa, Jan 20, 2012
    #2

  3. hitech0101 TechSpot Enthusiast

    i am sure there is a virus because there are some files on the pen drive & i used a virtual machine to run linux then i tried to format the drive but still i get write protected.
    hitech0101, Jan 22, 2012
    #3

  4. jobeard TechSpot Ambassador

    There are a couple of REG settings that have control:

    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies]
    “WriteProtect”=dword:00000001
    (if found, delete WriteProtect)

    HKLM\system\currentcontrolset\services\USBstor\ DWORD Start = 3 or 4
    http://www.petri.co.il/disable-usb-storage-devices.htm

    Using GPedit (ie GPO policies) see this KB

    or this
    jobeard, Jan 22, 2012
    #4

  5. hitech0101 TechSpot Enthusiast

    Thanks for helping but i am now facing a new problem the pen drive is detected but windows say the drive has to be formatted before use but when i try formatting the message appears that it is write protected.I was was trying to fix it but it seems i have made matters worse.
    hitech0101, Jan 23, 2012
    #5

  6. jobeard TechSpot Ambassador

    take the thumbdrive to ANY other system and format it there; heck, you can even use
    Mac or Linux (format as VFAT32)
    jobeard, Jan 23, 2012
    #6

  7. LNCPapa TS Special Forces

    And don't do it in a linux VM on that machine you're having a hard time doing it from.
    LNCPapa, Jan 23, 2012
    #7

  8. Rick TechSpot Staff

    This is a common problem with failing flash drives. I think the most likely explanation is you had/have an infected file on the drive, but it also recently developed some separate, physical issues.

    Coincidences do happen. Perhaps more frequently than they should with computers. :)

    I know people are under the impression that flash storage is reliable, but that property certainly doesn't extend to most of the USB flash drives out there.
    Rick, Jan 23, 2012
    #8

  9. hitech0101 TechSpot Enthusiast

    Thanks for helping guyz.I have handed over the drive to a service center they have offered to replace the drive.
    hitech0101, Jan 24, 2012
    #9

  10. Shynash21 Newcomer, in training

    Use a good antivirus
    Shynash21, Jan 24, 2012
    #10