USB pen drive write protected

CaptainCrash · 22 Aug 2011 at 12:54

conoflex said:
found a usb checkdisk 5 prog and that doesn't see the partition I want to remove it does say this

I'm guessing the write-protected area isn't really a "partition" in the normal sense of the term, it's something implemented at a customised firmware level (like the old U3 flash drives), and you'll need a proprietary tool from the vendor to do anything with it.

In the highly unlikely event that it's actually a U3 drive, there's an open-source app for removing U3 "partitions" - I doubt if it'll do much good, and it may trash the drive (there's a rather endearing warning: "we don't exactly know what we're doing"

), but could be worth it as a shot to nothing.

conoflex · 22 Aug 2011 at 13:29

CaptainCrash said:
I'm guessing the write-protected area isn't really a "partition" in the normal sense of the term, it's something implemented at a customised firmware level (like the old U3 flash drives), and you'll need a proprietary tool from the vendor to do anything with it.

In the highly unlikely event that it's actually a U3 drive, there's an open-source app for removing U3 "partitions" - I doubt if it'll do much good, and it may trash the drive (there's a rather endearing warning: "we don't exactly know what we're doing" ), but could be worth it as a shot to nothing.

I'm all for giving "things" a go

and I did you were right didn't work

I also agree that the "partition" isn't really a partition it's hard coded into chip.
I have e-mailed the Smart people to see if they can help, but gonna hold me breath.

[Damien] · 22 Aug 2011 at 15:26

Why do you need this particular drive to work anyway? USB drives are cheap as chips.

Arthur17 · 22 Aug 2011 at 15:26

According to that Russian website, your flash drive is made by PQI.

I think this is the program you need.

conoflex · 22 Aug 2011 at 15:32

Thanks very much indeed, god i'm thick which is the download button ?
sorry :confused:

This taking the mick i'm pressing download button, entering image and it just goes back to previous page ?

Surveyor · 22 Aug 2011 at 15:57

Try it in English.

I see what you mean about going back to the home page.

Edit

Just tried several times and it downloads after a few attempts.

conoflex · 22 Aug 2011 at 15:58

I did and it still doesn't start downloading, i'm pressing download button, entering image and it just goes back to previous page.

Surveyor · 22 Aug 2011 at 16:03

conoflex said:
I did and it still doesn't start downloading, i'm pressing download button, entering image and it just goes back to previous page.

Try it a few more times.

It worked for me after several attempts.

conoflex · 22 Aug 2011 at 16:03

okey dokey

conoflex · 22 Aug 2011 at 16:07

I've just done it 15 times on the trott and nada nothing zilch zip zero

Any chance you could e-mail it to me if you have downloaded it already.

Surveyor · 22 Aug 2011 at 16:09

Send me your e-mail address via trust.

Surveyor · 22 Aug 2011 at 16:16

File sent.

conoflex · 22 Aug 2011 at 16:18

Excellent thanks very much.

Surveyor · 22 Aug 2011 at 16:20

You're welcome.

conoflex · 22 Aug 2011 at 16:26

All I need now is to learn how it works

CaptainCrash · 22 Aug 2011 at 17:01

[Damien];19889946 said:
Why do you need this particular drive to work anyway? USB drives are cheap as chips.

That's not the point - *it doesn't work*, and we need a solution, or at least an explanation, dammit.

[Damien] · 22 Aug 2011 at 17:09

CaptainCrash said:
That's not the point - *it doesn't work*, and we need a solution, or at least an explanation, dammit.

Hehe, I get that. I take things not working personally as hell. I was just curious what it was about this particular drive that made him even try. I'm sure I've got a few small usb drives kicking around and even though they work fine something that small isn't really much use for anything.

Arthur17 · 22 Aug 2011 at 17:35

conoflex said:
All I need now is to learn how it works

These instructions may help, even though it's for another device.

I have also uploaded the other PQI-related programs from the FlashBoot site here. The one in the "PQI Low Level Format" folder might be worth trying first as it looks like it's the easiest.

conoflex · 22 Aug 2011 at 17:47

CaptainCrash said:
That's not the point - *it doesn't work*, and we need a solution, or at least an explanation, dammit.

Exactly, besides what else have I got do being an old guy with knackered kidneys who can't work anymore

[Damien];19890887 said:
Hehe, I get that. I take things not working personally as hell. I was just curious what it was about this particular drive that made him even try. I'm sure I've got a few small usb drives kicking around and even though they work fine something that small isn't really much use for anything.

Yeah it gets on my wick when something like happens cos they sell you something in this case a student usb notebook drive (was my granddaughters) saying that you can use them when not needed as it was sold. But then can't use them.
Also if you got a few small usb drives yer not using send em to me

Arthur17 said:
These instructions may help, even though it's for another device.

I have also uploaded the other PQI-related programs from the FlashBoot site here. The one in the "PQI Low Level Format" folder might be worth trying first as it looks like it's the easiest.

Wow!! thanks I was just thinking the lump hammer was on it's way again

conoflex · 22 Aug 2011 at 17:57

Tried all of those Arthur17 and they don't detect the drive it's plugged in direct into rig not a hub or anything and it says can't find device.
At the end of the road here maybe :eek: