Memory card write protect problems, help please.. - maemo.org

Dancairo | # 1 | 2011-01-24, 12:44 | Report

Hi all.

I have a problem.

I had a 16gb memory card from new which started to cause battery drain when inserted. i.e if the card was in the slot, the n900 cpu usage was at maximum, when removed it returned to normal.
It also wasn't accessible when connected to pc in usb mode.

I tried to reformat the card on the n900 but it wouldn't, so tried to reformat on pc via a usb microSD card reader but had a window telling me it failed as the card was write protected. I didn't (and don't know how to) write protect it.
So, i gave up and bought a new microSD card, it showed capacity of nearly 16gb so all was well.
I copied some music to it but it failed half way through the copy and now the card is shown at 8mb capacity (total) and write protected!

Does anyone know what's going on? or how to remove the write protection from it via the n900 or pc?

please

Thanks

Dan

anthonie | # 2 | 2011-01-24, 12:49 | Report

There`s a small switch to the side, that write protects cards.

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Dancairo | # 3 | 2011-01-24, 13:49 | Report

Thanks anthonie but it's a microSD card so no switch.

Parlapipas | # 4 | 2011-01-24, 14:04 | Report

Originally Posted by Dancairo View Post

Hi all.

I have a problem.

I had a 16gb memory card from new which started to cause battery drain when inserted. i.e if the card was in the slot, the n900 cpu usage was at maximum, when removed it returned to normal.
It also wasn't accessible when connected to pc in usb mode.

I tried to reformat the card on the n900 but it wouldn't, so tried to reformat on pc via a usb microSD card reader but had a window telling me it failed as the card was write protected. I didn't (and don't know how to) write protect it.
So, i gave up and bought a new microSD card, it showed capacity of nearly 16gb so all was well.
I copied some music to it but it failed half way through the copy and now the card is shown at 8mb capacity (total) and write protected!

Does anyone know what's going on? or how to remove the write protection from it via the n900 or pc?

please

Thanks

Dan

Dan it sounds like something similar I had with an external drive. When you tried formatting it, did you try as NTFS or FAT32? The way I solved my problem, was formatting on a Mac as FAT 32 and then things worked. You could try on a PC as well, but I beleive you can only do so on XP. Let me know if it works. Good luck!

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anthonie | # 5 | 2011-01-24, 15:19 | Report

Sorry if this is getting us offtopic, but I coulnd't help myself blinking my eyes after reading your reply. No switch on microSD?

http://www.lowpricememory.co.uk/img/lpm/int166.jpg

Back on the topic: Have you tried a filesystem check?

Code:

sudo gainroot
umount /card
fsck -a /dev/mmcblkxpx
mount /card

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Switch_ | # 6 | 2011-01-24, 15:33 | Report

Dan, what OS are you using as your main PC mate? I can remove Write Protect in Windows but Linux - not got a clue.....

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Dancairo | # 7 | 2011-01-24, 16:40 | Report

Thanks for all the answers guys, I'm at work and rehearsing so haven't been able to try anything yet.
@ parlapitas, I tried FAT32 on XP but didn't work.
@ anthonie, yep no switch, the switch in the photo is on the adapter, i've ordered one off ebay though but it's not going to arrive for a few days, and may not work. I'll try your filesystem check when I get home - about 6pm
@ switch It's XP, can you let me know how please so I can try.

Thanks again

Dan

anthonie | # 8 | 2011-01-24, 17:29 | Report

@Dan

I learnt today that some cards appear to be sold without the switch

With regard to the filesystem check: Make sure the device names are clear before unmounting and so. Check mount without any paramaters before you unmount. Oh, and just to avoid misunderstanding: I am talking about fsck for linux (be it Maemo or any decent Linux Distro.). On that same note I should wholeheartedly advise you to have a look at a nice LiveCD being made around gParted, the Gnome partitioning tool. You download an ISO, burn it and boot from it. After it started up, it operates as a mini system recovery OS. If it's not for now, I'm quite sure it will come in handy one day.

http://gparted.sourceforge.net/download.php

PS Rehearsing what?

Last edited by anthonie; 2011-01-24 at 17:31.

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Parlapipas | # 9 | 2011-01-24, 17:43 | Report

Originally Posted by Dancairo View Post

Thanks for all the answers guys, I'm at work and rehearsing so haven't been able to try anything yet.
@ parlapitas, I tried FAT32 on XP but didn't work.
@ anthonie, yep no switch, the switch in the photo is on the adapter, i've ordered one off ebay though but it's not going to arrive for a few days, and may not work. I'll try your filesystem check when I get home - about 6pm
@ switch It's XP, can you let me know how please so I can try.

Thanks again

Dan

Hey Dan. Same had happened to me. I was unable to do it on an XP system so I gave it a go on my mac and it worked. If you have one, let me know and when I get home will post some screen shots for you as to how I got it to work.

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Dancairo | # 10 | 2011-01-24, 17:57 | Report

Originally Posted by anthonie View Post

@Dan

I learnt today that some cards appear to be sold without the switch

With regard to the filesystem check: Make sure the device names are clear before unmounting and so. Check mount without any paramaters before you unmount. Oh, and just to avoid misunderstanding: I am talking about fsck for linux (be it Maemo or any decent Linux Distro.). On that same note I should wholeheartedly advise you to have a look at a nice LiveCD being made around gParted, the Gnome partitioning tool. You download an ISO, burn it and boot from it. After it started up, it operates as a mini system recovery OS. If it's not for now, I'm quite sure it will come in handy one day.

http://gparted.sourceforge.net/download.php

PS Rehearsing what?

Thanks anthonie

Unfortunately, being a linux novice this all sounds very complicated to me, I am far from replacing windows on my main PC with linux (but might give it a go on an old laptop first) which is my aim eventually, but I thank you for your help anyway.
Before I try your way I may just wait to see if 'switch' gives an easier way on windows for a novice like me.

Dan

PS L'amico Fritz (an opera by Mascagni)