Micro SD Cards

[JetSetJake]

Does anybody know how to remove write protection from micro SD cards?

I use one (8 GB) in my phone (LG Cookie) and yesterday when I wanted to change the songs on it, I couldn't delete the old ones or put new ones on it. I tried several things including putting tape over the sliding lock on the adaptor and even reformatting the card. Neither of these things worked.

It's no longer possible to write anything to this card and I am at a loss as to how to solve the problem.

I've searched the internet for answers, and the suggestions are basically tape or reformatting. Both of which I've done with no success.

I imagine it's an issue with the sliding lock on the adaptor, but I can't find a way to successfully convince my computer that the card is not write protected as the sliding lock doesn't stay in one position - it's pushed back when I insert the card into my computer's reader.

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

 

[trinket]

You probably found this already in your searching; one solution from the middle post was "Finally I tried moving the tab partway between the lock/unlock positions and voila!, it finally worked.", but I don't know if that will work for you - you mentioned it's pushed back into position.

Do you have the option of buying (or borrowing) another micro SD card, using your PC's cardreader to copy the files off and either onto the new one or just onto the PC? Then you can start fresh.

 

[JetSetJake]

Yes, I found that suggestion too. But it doesn't work for me as the sliding lock is pushed back by the computer.

It's not a problem of moving the files, as I reformatted the card and there are no files on it. The problem is I can not put any new files onto the card due to the "write protection".

This in effect is rendering the card useless even though there is nothing wrong with the card itself.

 

[trinket]

It's not a problem of moving the files, as I reformatted the card and there are no files on it. The problem is I can not put any new files onto the card due to the "write protection".

This in effect is rendering the card useless even though there is nothing wrong with the card itself.

Yeah. What I meant is therefore to just buy a new one, toss the existing one and chuck it up to a bad card, and continue on with things.

 

[JetSetJake]

I guess I could see if I can find a new adaptor card as the problem I think lies with that and its sliding lock rather than the micro SD card itself.

I just didn't know if it was possible to bypass the write protection controls - either with my computer or by doing something to the adaptor card. I've tried stuff with the adaptor, but I don't know what I could try with the computer.

Like you say though, I might just have to buy a new card - even if it is just to get the new adaptor card that will come with it.

Cheers for the help, trinket

 

[Corny]

slide it in position and rip off the plastic? might destroy the card, but when you're buying a new one anyway ..

 

[JetSetJake]

You mean rip off the plastic lock?

 

[Corny]

yeah .. i don't know your card, but mine is constructed so that i could remove the write protection, and then break off the plastic thing that sticks out. thus the mechanism in the card couldn't be moved anymore when you press the card into the slot.

 

[JetSetJake]

I'll give that a try - cheers

 

[trawler69]

Maybe super glue it into the unlock position.

 

[star-warrior]

When I bought my cellphone, they gave me a 1gig mini-sd card and adaptor to go with it. I've used the mini-sd card in the cellphone, and when in the adaptor, put it in my camera to use. I have a small external card reader that hooks to the computer with a usb cable. I've placed mp3 songs onto the mini-sd card to play on the cellphone, copied other files and removed them using the card reader without any problems. Maybe the adaptor is at fault rather than the sd card.

 

[JetSetJake]

Yesterday I bought a new adaptor and the problem persisted. However, I was successfully able to reformat the card on my computer using the "quick format" option, and now the SD card doesn't seem to have any write protection, so I'm hoping the problem has been solved.

At first I thought it was the adaptor with the problem, but when I got the new adaptor and the problem didn't go away, I realised it must be the card itself.

Thankfully, adaptors only cost a couple of pounds. If it was a new SD card I needed, then that's more of an expense

However, as star-warrior said, I think a way around this for the future is a multi-card reader for the computer - that way I can just put the card directly into that and not need any adaptors or anything.

Many, many thanks to everybody who has offered suggestions