"Write protected" thumb drive?

[Why Syzygy]

:grr: I have used this drive to copy files, print files, delete files, copy files.
Now, it will not allow me access! "Write protected". The last time I used it, I had it a Kinkos to have the documents printed.

Now what?
HELP! I need to back-up some stuff while I continue to tweak new install.

Thanks to everyone who comes to my aid.

[RoyGBiv]

1. Does it not have a switch on it?

All of the USB drives I use have a write/no-write switch on them somewhere that toggles back and forth between write-protected and not.

[Why Syzygy]

2. No toggle.

I found this:
Check out the registry under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies.
The value 'WriteProtect' should be absent or set to '0'.

.. but there is no key for "StorageDevicePolicies".

edit: I just reseated it in the port, and it seemed like it went through an "install", got a message I didn't have earlier. Offered to format, said yes, it said "write protected". Can't even format it. Not from Windows anyway. Wonder about from DOS?

2nd edit: Now I'm reading it may be a faulty chip. Or worn out.

ARRGGG .. A while ago I could at least see the files. Now Win keeps telling me it needs to be formatted and I cannot explore it. I probably just need a new one.... drat. I have a ton of blank CDs somewhere. In the shed in a box. I can't unpack all my stuff here. Not enough room. A CD would do in this instance.

Thanks, Roy. I want to tell you something about my recent trial with the system. It will have to wait until I'm not so tired.

[RoyGBiv]

3. Is it old?

I would guess "worn out" if it is, or even if you've just used it a lot. There's a finite number of times you can write to a USB drive.

One of mine is going to give out any day now. I can feel it coming. I use it to carry around a bunch of software I use for work because our idiotic IT department has still not figured out how to network their computers properly ... anyway, it gets written to a lot and has started having some errors.

[Why Syzygy]

4. I've had it for a couple of years.

It isn't USB 2. It's just a cheap one that has UT's Longhorn logo on it. I haven't used it more than half a dozen times, though. The one forum I read was rife with users with the same issue. No one seemed to know what to do. The registry fix was making the rounds. I'm going to try it in a back port tomorrow when I have the light. I may try the format from DOS. I need to back up my GAME before I do some other tweaks I have in mind.