I have an older 8GB Corsair USB 2.0 flash drive that unexpectedly became full write protected while back. No matter how I attempt to format it tells me one way or another that it is not possible because the disk is write protected.
The drive was used to create a bootable Windows 7 installation image using MS's .iso to USB tool. After that I left the image on there, and randomly used it for other stuff too. Then one day (at least a few months ago), it became full write protected - and I've just had it sitting in the corner since then.
But now I'd like to use it, and am annoyed I can't format it...
I have tried the following steps, in most cases on multiple systems.
(1) Adding the HKLM/.../WriteProtected registry key
(2) Attempted changing security permissions (that are already set to Everyone-full control) I tried changing the owner/permissions, but was not allowed.
(3) Windows Diskpart - attributes disk clear readonly (says it is successful, but is not)
(4) cmd format command, fails, volume write protected
(5) gparted format, fails for full write protection
(6) and obviously a simple right click/format fails, too
(7) a few random usb format applications that promised they would work, but didn't...
Anyway, anyone have any ideas, or should i just throw this in the trash?