WD Elements USB drive error media is write protected

[quadcomputers]

WD Elements USB drive error "media is write protected" I can't initialize drive under disk management tools but it shows up there. Windows states driver is good and "This device is working properly" But the same error gets posted "media is write protected"

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

Test it with WD's diagnostic software for Windows: http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=304&sid=3&lang=en

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hey there, quadcomputers!

I'm sorry to see you struggling with the WD Elements external drive. 🙁
I'd follow Phillip Corcoran's advice and test the drive using Data LifeGuard Diagnostics utility.
I'd also recommend you to try the hard drive on another computer, see if it will get recognized properly there.
If you have a spare USB cable to swap, I would try with that one as well.
Check these links for suggestions on how to resolve the issue:
Error: 'Disk is write protected' solution: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=sWdhHk
How to remove a write protection on your drive: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/272402-32-flash-drive

Hope these help!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[quadcomputers]

Hey there, quadcomputers!

I'm sorry to see you struggling with the WD Elements external drive. 🙁
I'd follow Phillip Corcoran's advice and test the drive using Data LifeGuard Diagnostics utility.
I'd also recommend you to try the hard drive on another computer, see if it will get recognized properly there.
If you have a spare USB cable to swap, I would try with that one as well.
Check these links for suggestions on how to resolve the issue:
Error: 'Disk is write protected' solution: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=sWdhHk
How to remove a write protection on your drive: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/272402-32-flash-drive

Hope these help!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[quadcomputers]

I don't think you know what your talking about here. You can run any software on a "write protect drive" simply because it's write protect. The cable is priprioty cable not a standard cable. WD has formatting software for their passport drives which actually works. But their software for the Elements USB drive does not work. Nor does the WD DIAGNOSTICS (old or new) because this software checks the drive for defects and allows to "write zero's" which a low level format used for hard drives. Nice try but your only adding to the problem, which will send others with the same problem in the wrong direction. If a way is found to correct this, naturally I'll explain here so others can benefit. Meanwhile even Western Digital will not supply help and will tell to run their software which they already know does not work. Basically what do they care, throw it away buy a new WD drive. This way the make another $100 bucks, but what they didn't expect was "good.. I'll also stop buying all your drives...
Why this drive cycled into "Write Protect" may be the Microsoft handles external USB drives, because Microsoft provides the driver and the driver is good and the drive statement is "this device is working properly" however it is not it write protect and cannot be addressed or initialized. I'm sure others have this problem (not just thumb flash drives) but external USB storage drives as these Elements, Passports, etc. which are used for storage and backups. Point is their has to be reason and a solution, rather than toss a perfectly good drive into a trashcan. But this appears to be the new way of doing business in Computer Land... take the money and run...

 

[quadcomputers]

Meanwhile I am working on it... and if a solution is found... I will post here on Tom's so others can benefit. I have been a member for some time and found Tom's to be the best .