The Disk is write-protected. Remove the write-protection

I have read dozens of useless remedies for this problem with SD card readers. I have found a solution. It is not pretty but it works.

1) In My Computer, right click on the drive letter of your SD card and
2) Eject it.
3) Then pull the card out and stick it back in.
4) Try to write to the card. If it works, GREAT! Proceed with your copying.
5) If it DIDN'T work, repeat steps 1 through 4.

I have found that I sometimes have to try the process SEVERAL (6-8) times before I can write to the card.

I have found several references on the web to things called WRITE_PROT that lead me to believe that there is a software toggle inside the chip. Here are some lines from one .PDF file I found:

CMD28 SET_WRITE_PROT Optional
CMD29 CLR_WRITE_PROT Optional
CMD30 SEND_WRITE_PROT Optional

Those CMDs (I assume CMD stands for "Command" ) are listed in several .PDFs that are too technical for me to fully comprehend. Although I do not have the technical experience to prove it, I believe that this bit or setting is somehow being toggled by some kind of glitch. All I know is that I have been able to repeat my success on getting back write capabilities to my 1GB PNY SD card.

Message quoted 1 times

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I don't have my SD card handly but doesn't it have a write protect switch on the side of them? I'm almost certain my ScanDisk has one. Sorry other then that I have no soultions .... I've never had that problem and I put everything on my SD and take it home.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to drifter_888

i m having problems too.
My question is, how do you perform task 2??
I dont c any eject command.
TQ

Reply to x88a

Quote :

i m having problems too.
My question is, how do you perform task 2??
I dont c any eject command.
TQ

I just tried the original instructions again. I am using XP Pro. I see the "Eject" command when I RIGHT click on the drive letter for the SD chip. I do not know what XP Home looks like. Perhaps it does not have that command. If you have XP Pro though you should see the command. I have tried to get mine to NOT be write protected again this time and have tried my procedure about 5 times with no success. ARGGGG! I sure wish I could find a better solution.

Reply to Ozzyjazz

Quote :

I don't have my SD card handly but doesn't it have a write protect switch on the side of them? I'm almost certain my ScanDisk has one. Sorry other then that I have no soultions .... I've never had that problem and I put everything on my SD and take it home.

Yes, it does have a write protect slider on the side but this is NOT the issue here. Some have suggested putting tape around the card to make sure that the slider thing does not slip into write protect mode when inserting the card but this issue is from some kind of software setting - not a hardware write protect tab.

Reply to Ozzyjazz

I have had a message wanting me to remove the write protection on my SCAN Disk. After reading replies on the web site I decided to try myself.
I put the slider 1/2 way between lock and unlock and only pushed the disk in until the light started flashing (not all the way). It has worked on two different disks at the moment.
My disk slot is included with a HP all in one unit.

Reply to barrinton

Hi, just wanted to ask if the 4-step process above also applies to USB? I seem to be having trouble with mine and i dunno how to remove the write-protection thing that keeps popping up whenever to try to transfer a file on it. thanks!

Reply to spraxi

The only thing that work for me was to put the SD card into the reader slowly slide the card in and stop when the reader light comes on. This time the lock was off. I wounder if the MAC guys have the same problem?

Reply to phokum

I tried OzzyJazz's steps and it worked, although it took me 1/2 dozen times doing it. Thanks a bunch. It was a 2gb SD disk that was on sale for $9.99!

Reply to sandybrit

wow..Ozzyjazz! ur amazing.. ur advice really works

Reply to soowat

i didint get the instuctions man plzzzzzzzzzzzz i really want it

Reply to Anonymous

thanx! it really helped. ive been trying 2 fix it for a long time and i got a lot of new cds for my b-day that i wanted 2 put on my card. obviously, it worked.

Reply to mikeygirl2500

ow. thank you so much . luckily i've found this site .

Reply to Anonymous

I tried your solution and it worked. Thank You.

Reply to ctygert

hey! if you are using an adapter for the card then just unlock it from its left side

Reply to preeyanka90

just turn the buttom lock off on your mp3

Reply to Anonymous

I have a Kingston 8GB SD HC, moved the lock switch halfway and it can now access.
Glad I stopped by here.

Reply to Red E

yeaah... I like the way you remove write-protected disk,,
it really works on mine.. great..
after I do the 4-step,, I can copy file on it.. yeah,, many thanks...

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to demasu

THANK YOU 100 TIMES... IT WORKED.. I DID THE STEPS JUST ONES AND IT

WORKED.... I HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR MONTHS..OH

I OWE YOU A DINNER........ OH MY GOD I LOVE U GUY I LUV U GREAT

THANX

demolasanni@yahoo.com

Reply to shamsudeen

demasu wrote :

yeaah... I like the way you remove write-protected disk,,
it really works on mine.. great..
after I do the 4-step,, I can copy file on it.. yeah,, many thanks...

How to move write prection from dvd?

Reply to ebrown

thanks it worked awsome

Reply to Anonymous

shouldn't any of the flash cards have a write protect switch on the side of them?

-------------------------
HDD Repair Blog - www.hddoctor.net

Reply to salvationdata

Not all cards have a write protect switch.

I had this issue and found that it was multiple cards all of which didn't have the switch, I quickly realized that the issue was my PC not the card since the cards did work in another PC.

Here's how I fixed it:
open Regedit and navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrrentControlSet\Control\StroageDevicePolicies
If there is a WriteProtect key (REG_DWORD) then
1 = Write Protect On
0 = Write Protect Off

Set to 0 and try (may have to reboot in some cases)

Message quoted 2 times

Reply to astodd

I have USB which is whenever I connect to pc show remove write protection. At that time I searched site which help me to remove writer protection. I just follow your eject 4 steps plan. Really wonder it is now working. Thanks for your support. AMJAD - JEDDAH K.S.A

Reply to Anonymous

For SD card readers Remove the lock... which will be physically there on cardreader

Reply to jkldjfklsdj

Thank you, thank you!!! I didn't even realize that my SD card had a slide lock!!! :bounce: I have been carry around a memory stick that I have "lost " and "found" so many times....My organizer has a slot just dedicated to the card reader and it is perfect to carry with me....

THANKS!!!!! I just love technology....if only I could get my sony book reader to read my kindle books! I love both of these devices...but I can read better using the sony reader!

Stephanie

Reply to cricket001

why its not working on laptop???...please i need a reply..and can you give me another opinion???...thank you poh...hehehe...

http://img.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] n5.gifeply

http://img.tomshardware.com/forum/uk/iconehttp:

//img.tomshardware.com/forum/uk/icones/message/icon2.gifs/message/icon8.gif
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Reply to claudine

hh..why its not working in my laptop?//?..

kindly give us another opinion...and i nedd a reply...

thank you poh...

Reply to claudine

I have the same problem,I did a scan using my anti virus(symantic) and then did a format of the disk. It accepted to format, then every things started working.

Reply to doddavenkata

A BIG THANK YOU TO OZZYJAZZ!!!!

I have read and tried about 50 useless methods, but your is the only one that works. Thank you again for taking the trouble to post your suggestion.

Dave in Spain

Reply to davein spain

astodd wrote :

Not all cards have a write protect switch.

I had this issue and found that it was multiple cards all of which didn't have the switch, I quickly realized that the issue was my PC not the card since the cards did work in another PC.

Here's how I fixed it:
open Regedit and navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrrentControlSet\Control\StroageDevicePolicies
If there is a WriteProtect key (REG_DWORD) then
1 = Write Protect On
0 = Write Protect Off

Set to 0 and try (may have to reboot in some cases)

i wan to say thanks to you,becoz i'm using the notebook for model acer aspire 4720,what usb thing i also cant copy or send it,when i follow ur step,i slove the problem it.^_^thanks you very much

Reply to jefflcp66

Thank you . I actually broke off the wee slidey protect bit and a corner of the card, but half in done it for me. I now have a lovely 4GB SanDisk to fill with junk again. I wonder if that`ll work with the wife.....have a good one,mate.

Reply to Anonymous

Quote :

Not all cards have a write protect switch.

I had this issue and found that it was multiple cards all of which didn't have the switch, I quickly realized that the issue was my PC not the card since the cards did work in another PC.

Here's how I fixed it:
open Regedit and navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrrentControlSet\Control\StroageDevicePolicies
If there is a WriteProtect key (REG_DWORD) then
1 = Write Protect On
0 = Write Protect Off

Set to 0 and try (may have to reboot in some cases)

thank you thank you very much
tut is perfect xD

Reply to nup

Sooooo i was having the same write protection problem and i found my own solution...when u unlock the card and put it in the computer it locks back so while i wa sliding the SD card into the slot i held a toothpick up against it to keep the card from locking i didnt think it would work but it did!!!

Reply to Anonymous

write to the card??????????? whats that supposed to mean??

Reply to Anonymous

BIG thanks for the tooth pick idea foreal i was stressin big time you jus made my life a whole lot easier lol thanks again!

Reply to Anonymous

I had the same 'disk is write protected' problem with a Raven MP3 player (USB drive).

Here's how I fixed it (for XP):

1. Go to the disk properties page.
2. Select the 'Hardware' tab.
3. In the 'All disk drives' list, select the name of the external device.
4. Click the 'Properties' button.
5. Select the 'Policies' tab.
6. Under 'Write caching and Safe Removal', select 'Optimize for performance'.

Peter

Reply to Anonymous

astodd wrote :

Not all cards have a write protect switch.

I had this issue and found that it was multiple cards all of which didn't have the switch, I quickly realized that the issue was my PC not the card since the cards did work in another PC.

Here's how I fixed it:
open Regedit and navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrrentControlSet\Control\StroageDevicePolicies
If there is a WriteProtect key (REG_DWORD) then
1 = Write Protect On
0 = Write Protect Off

Set to 0 and try (may have to reboot in some cases)

Hi,
In my system i cant find the StroageDevicePolicy in regedit. Is this any system issue?

Message quoted 3 times

Reply to karthik_booma

thanks wow kamal kae diya apne i was so upset thankyou verymuch

Reply to Anonymous

thnxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Reply to Anonymous

i have tried that and it dint work and i dont have an sd memory card i have a m2 for a sony erricson .... any other suggestions ?

Reply to Anonymous

oh!
it's my problem too ! :cry:
in my external device there is a file with this name "ReadyBoost.sfcache"
and I can't remove that with windows vista (in properties , ready boost)
please help me! :bounce: mohammadspeed@ymail.com

Reply to mohammadreza

karthik_booma wrote :

Hi,
In my system i cant find the StroageDevicePolicy in regedit. Is this any system issue?

oh! :cry:
it's my problem too!
in my external device there is a file with this name "ReadyBoost.sfcache"
and I can't remove that in windows vista too (properties page , ready boost)
plese help me! :bounce: mohammadspeed@ymail.com

Reply to mohammadreza

Few days back I had faced this issue and I too was frustrated by the large number of solutions offered on the internet that do not work. However finally I came across a blog post that has some less technical solutions to this problem. The virus removal trick in this article finally solved my problem.

I wish I had seen this thread on tomshardware forum before. It would have saved a lot of effort. I think someone of us must summarize this thread for lesser technical people like me.

Reply to sita

karthik_booma wrote :

Hi,
In my system i cant find the StroageDevicePolicy in regedit. Is this any system issue?

Reply to Anonymous

"There is a tiny piece located on the side of the SD card, sometimes it gets pushed back and that write protects it. Just push the tiny piece forward and it will remove the write protection. I figured it out on my own. Nothing to do with software, etc.

Reply to Anonymous

I have here an sd card and it has slide lock on it. Whatever slides i make it, it still have write-protection.

I am using windows vista on my laptop. My laptop has a built-in card reader. Theres nothing i can use on that part.

I had also tried ozzyjazz's steps but i cant see any "eject" button.

I also tried the REGEDIT system but i cant also find the "storagedevicepolicy" folder neither word. :cry:

Help Me!!!!!! Plzzzz!!!! I tired on this WRITE-PROTECTION problem!!

Reply to Gravity_64

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY STEP 4 I DONT GET IT?? PLEASE HELP I HAVE TO UNLOCK THE CARD!!

Reply to Anonymous

Ozzyjazz wrote :

I have read dozens of useless remedies for this problem with SD card readers. I have found a solution. It is not pretty but it works.

1) In My Computer, right click on the drive letter of your SD card and
2) Eject it.
3) Then pull the card out and stick it back in.
4) Try to write to the card. If it works, GREAT! Proceed with your copying.
5) If it DIDN'T work, repeat steps 1 through 4.

I have found that I sometimes have to try the process SEVERAL (6-8) times before I can write to the card.

I have found several references on the web to things called WRITE_PROT that lead me to believe that there is a software toggle inside the chip. Here are some lines from one .PDF file I found:

CMD28 SET_WRITE_PROT Optional
CMD29 CLR_WRITE_PROT Optional
CMD30 SEND_WRITE_PROT Optional

Those CMDs (I assume CMD stands for "Command" ) are listed in several .PDFs that are too technical for me to fully comprehend. Although I do not have the technical experience to prove it, I believe that this bit or setting is somehow being toggled by some kind of glitch. All I know is that I have been able to repeat my success on getting back write capabilities to my 1GB PNY SD card.

i dont get step 4????

Reply to Anonymous

drifter_888 wrote :

I don't have my SD card handly but doesn't it have a write protect switch on the side of them? I'm almost certain my ScanDisk has one. Sorry other then that I have no soultions .... I've never had that problem and I put everything on my SD and take it home.

Found the switch on the side and my husband will not die tonight thank you very much!!!

Reply to Anonymous

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