Mike,

I had something similar happen to me several years ago when flash drives were new. I went to the maker's web site and got the solution. I really don't remember any details, like whether the solution was in a FAQ or whether I had to email them. but it did work. I sort of remember downloading and running something. Sorry, but it was a long time ago. Still, try and see what PNY has to say.

I have used Linux partitioning tools to repartition a 512MB flash drive into a 64MB ext3 partition and a 448MB FAT32 (aka vfat) partition. That suggests that another possibility (after first copying your files off the drive to a safe place)
is to delete and then re-create the FAT32 partition on the drive. Of course, if the write protect switch is some sort of sneaky, low level, semi-firmware type switch, the partitioner may not be able to touch it either.

Good Luck,

Mark jarvis

unixprgrmr01@gmail.com wrote:

Mike,

Don't know if you have solved the problem yet but there are a few of ways to view what is ACTUALLY on the drive. These all take advantage of the fact that in UNIX all devices are treated like files and all files 'can' in most circumstances... be treated like devices.

mount the drive and then do:

cat [full drive path] > /tmp/foo Then do vi /tmp/foo

strings [full drive path] | more

OR for a MORE detailed view

od -c [full drive path] | more

There are still other methods but these are 3 of the simplest and give various degrees of detail. All require some time commitment depending on the number files that are hidden etc. etc. Familiarity with directory and file delimiting control/escape chars and the "FILE" structure is helpful.

Good luck!
Lynn

On Mon, Oct 19, 2009 at 3:16 PM, mike Enriquez <mylinux@cox.net> wrote:

I have a 4GB PNY thumb drive that has issues? It has become "Write
Protected". It is an Optima pro Attache. I searched the net and nothing
that I have found has helped me out.
Has any one in the group had this happen to them and how did you remove
the write protection.
I cannot see any special files on it except 2 of my own.
Any suggestions out there?
Thanks

Mike Enriquez
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Best Regards,
Lynn P. Tilby
Ph: 480 632-8635
unixprgrmr01@gmail.com
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