Patriot Axle 16gb, "write protected" "corrupt"

[inertially]

Windows says my flash drive is write protected. How do I make it work again?
Chkdsk says it's write protected. Format says it's write protected.

Also get "corrupt and unreadable"

Regedit doesn't drive policy doesn't do anything. Linux says the drive is read-only.

[Patriot_Ben]

Hello,

Can you please see if our low level format/reset tool will restore the drive for normal use? Please give it a try. Please note that the formatter must be done on a PC. You can extract it to the desktop and run it from there.

Here is the link to the formatter:
http://www.patriotmemory.com/partner...re/Restore.rar

[inertially]

The drive doesn't show up on the drop down list. The drop down list is blank.
Clicking restore pops up device not found.

[Patriot_Ben]

Hello,

If the format did not resolve the issue, and if the drive is non-operable we would recommend a replacement under warranty.

To Initiate an RMA or items relating to warranty, please visit this link here and under ‘troubleshooting’ select your product from the dropdown box and fill out the info (look at the bottom for ‘start a technical case’):
http://www.patriotmemory.com/support/techSupportp.jsp

(This link will get your name and contact info into our Support/RMA Portal database. You will then be given a user id and password where you can make replies to your Support/RMA case. Please make a note that you already spoke to a rep regarding your issue. Furthermore afterwards, feel free to login to reply or simply await for the case to be escalated to RMA with further instructions. To escalate the case to rma, please indicate that you’ve spoken to a rep already).

[haze]

I'm having the same problem. I just purchased a 16GB Axel USB flash drive that became write protected while coping files to it. I tried formatting via DOS and I get the message that the system file is RAW. The tool you suggested above also does not show the drive, but the computer sees it. I'm using a Dell model Latitude E5420 with Windows 7 Professional.

[Patriot_MA]

I'm sorry to hear that

Please follow the same instructions to pursue the RMA process above. They should be able to take care of you.

[KPat]

I am having same issue.
I had about 4-5GB data in the flash, and when I was copying new data of 7GB to flash.
Message: You need to format the disk.

Flash drive not recognize, Cannot change drive letter, Cannot format even with your formatter
(http://www.patriotmemory.com/partner...re/Restore.rar)

For RMA, How about my data ? is there a way to delete them all ?

[Patriot_Ben]

Hello,

Can you try this version of the format tool?
http://www.patriotmemory.com/softwar...er_v2.10.0.zip

You can also search to see if there are any other general USB low level format tools available. The workable chips in all of our RMA'd drives do get zero filled before they are reworked. Therefore your data should be wiped clean.

[inertially]

How do I make sure that my replacement drive won't get "write protected?"

I feel like I should be reimbursed for shipping because it clearly isn't my fault. The drives are defective and really should be recalled if Patriot really cared about its customers data.

I don't even trust these drives and should have returned it through Amazon.

[Patriot_Ben]

How do I make sure that my replacement drive won't get "write protected?"

I feel like I should be reimbursed for shipping because it clearly isn't my fault. The drives are defective and really should be recalled if Patriot really cared about its customers data.

I don't even trust these drives and should have returned it through Amazon.

During the RMA process you can make a request to have the drive tested prior to shipment. For more questions in regards to warranty please e-mail rma@patriotmem.com.