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External Hard Drive is Write Protected
I have an external Hardrive that works perfectly for Windows Server 2008.
Read-Write without problems
.
I connect the same HDD to an XP-professional sp3 workstation and the Drive is Readable but not Writeable : THE MEDIA IS WRITE PROTECTED
I log into the XP workstation as the Domain Admin with the same problem
I disconnected the USB HDD and reconnected with the same No-Write problem
I try to change the Security Permissions with the XP box but cannot due to the media being write protected.
Reconnected Drive to Server and changed permissions on the entire dirve to : administrators (Full) , System (Full) , Everyone (Full)
I reconnected to XP box : Read is good , but Media is Write protected : Checked security tab and ONLY Administrators (Full) + System (Full) are listed
External HDD : Hitachi USB XL2000 2.0TB
What is the problem ?
Read-Write without problems
.
I connect the same HDD to an XP-professional sp3 workstation and the Drive is Readable but not Writeable : THE MEDIA IS WRITE PROTECTED
I log into the XP workstation as the Domain Admin with the same problem
I disconnected the USB HDD and reconnected with the same No-Write problem
I try to change the Security Permissions with the XP box but cannot due to the media being write protected.
Reconnected Drive to Server and changed permissions on the entire dirve to : administrators (Full) , System (Full) , Everyone (Full)
I reconnected to XP box : Read is good , but Media is Write protected : Checked security tab and ONLY Administrators (Full) + System (Full) are listed
External HDD : Hitachi USB XL2000 2.0TB
What is the problem ?
ASKER
Cannot Get the "ATTRIBUTES VOLUME CLEAR READONLY" to work
Also cannot get the " ATTRIBUTES DISK CLEAR READONLY" to work
.
I run cmd prompt ..
I run diskpart
I get a list of the volumes : LIST VOLUME
select correct dirve : SELECT VOLUME 2
then I type in the ATTRIBUTES VOLUME CLEAR READONLY __ and all that happens is I get a List of commands displayed
.
.
Also cannot get the " ATTRIBUTES DISK CLEAR READONLY" to work
.
I run cmd prompt ..
I run diskpart
I get a list of the volumes : LIST VOLUME
select correct dirve : SELECT VOLUME 2
then I type in the ATTRIBUTES VOLUME CLEAR READONLY __ and all that happens is I get a List of commands displayed
.
.
SOLUTION
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See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/840781
You likely have to try these commands while connected to Server 2003/2008 where the new command is possible, not on the Windows XP with the older version of diskpart.
If that's not it, there are also some backup software that, when they use a drive as backup media also mark either the partition or the folders Security permissions to only the built-in backup account group or Administrator, similar to tape backups.
You likely have to try these commands while connected to Server 2003/2008 where the new command is possible, not on the Windows XP with the older version of diskpart.
If that's not it, there are also some backup software that, when they use a drive as backup media also mark either the partition or the folders Security permissions to only the built-in backup account group or Administrator, similar to tape backups.
SOLUTION
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the answer from calvinkwok is nearly there, the problem is the usb port, why putting it into a different usb port affects the reading ability is a mystery but it does affect it. for some reason the usb on the rear of the machine have a different bus and this affects the reading, therfore plug it into a different port on the rear. hope this helps
ASKER
... damn this is strange ...
1. confirmed editabliity of the external drive on win2008 server
2. plugged ext.drive into BACK usb port of winXP machine _ failed due to write protect
plugged ext.drive into a different USB port of DIFFERENT winXP machine _ failed due to write protect
3. plugged ext.drive back into win2008 server .. re-confirmed drive editability by creating a folder and then deleting it.
4. ran DiskPart _ Volume Attributes Cleared Successfully
5. plugged ext.drive back into winXP machine _ failed due to write protect
.
.
What could I include for you guys to see visually?
I am including two snap shots of the security tab for the Root extDrive
A. while connected to the win2008 server
B. while connected to the winXP machine
.
I know this sound stupid but it doesnt make sense to me
.
winXP-extDrive-SecurityTab.jpg
win2008-extDrive-SecurityTab.jpg
1. confirmed editabliity of the external drive on win2008 server
2. plugged ext.drive into BACK usb port of winXP machine _ failed due to write protect
plugged ext.drive into a different USB port of DIFFERENT winXP machine _ failed due to write protect
3. plugged ext.drive back into win2008 server .. re-confirmed drive editability by creating a folder and then deleting it.
4. ran DiskPart _ Volume Attributes Cleared Successfully
5. plugged ext.drive back into winXP machine _ failed due to write protect
.
.
What could I include for you guys to see visually?
I am including two snap shots of the security tab for the Root extDrive
A. while connected to the win2008 server
B. while connected to the winXP machine
.
I know this sound stupid but it doesnt make sense to me
.
winXP-extDrive-SecurityTab.jpg
win2008-extDrive-SecurityTab.jpg
Okay, you're getting close.
First, perhaps LOOK at whether the readonly attribute is getting set when using diskpart. If it is, clearing it is of course required, if it's not getting set you can clear it sucesfully 'til the cows come home it's not going to matter right?
Next, you're looking at the security attributes of the drive's root folder, and you're absolutely correct it appears the Everyone catch-all has "full control". IF we could be guaranteed that priviledge is propogating to all children objects then it should be right, BUT what if folders beneath have their own security permissions set? So... you'll need to check the folders themselves to see.
Once you're checking the objects underneath, with the Advanced button to see the advanced security settings, you'll be able to see whether "inherit" permissions from parent is set (in which case you'd expect full permission and no writing problem), OR if certain subfolder trees have their own different permissions which could explain the inability to manipulate the contents.
Go with a specific file you have the problem with for example.
As for the USB front versus back thing, that only relates to drives that try to get their power from the usb port. Drives fail to work properly if underpowered, an engineering mistake many make. I am guessing your drive uses it's own separate power so not an problem yes?
A small possibility is usb port(s) on the machine are "burned out" (which sometimes happens especially if trying to power 3.5" drives off it) so a very slim chance it can read but can't write however such behaviour should seem more like hardware problems not simply security priviledge errors. If you get the same consistent problem on multiple XP machines not part of the FEDEFdomain it is unlikely multiple machines all have broken usb ports the same.
IF we are talking about a flash card reader slot (like the memory sticks that go in Sony cameras) those DO have a physical read/write protect tab, and YES often times some card reader slots contact switch that is supposed to detect the position of the plastic switch get stuck in one position or other. Again from your initial description I am supposing we're not talking about that here right?
First, perhaps LOOK at whether the readonly attribute is getting set when using diskpart. If it is, clearing it is of course required, if it's not getting set you can clear it sucesfully 'til the cows come home it's not going to matter right?
Next, you're looking at the security attributes of the drive's root folder, and you're absolutely correct it appears the Everyone catch-all has "full control". IF we could be guaranteed that priviledge is propogating to all children objects then it should be right, BUT what if folders beneath have their own security permissions set? So... you'll need to check the folders themselves to see.
Once you're checking the objects underneath, with the Advanced button to see the advanced security settings, you'll be able to see whether "inherit" permissions from parent is set (in which case you'd expect full permission and no writing problem), OR if certain subfolder trees have their own different permissions which could explain the inability to manipulate the contents.
Go with a specific file you have the problem with for example.
As for the USB front versus back thing, that only relates to drives that try to get their power from the usb port. Drives fail to work properly if underpowered, an engineering mistake many make. I am guessing your drive uses it's own separate power so not an problem yes?
A small possibility is usb port(s) on the machine are "burned out" (which sometimes happens especially if trying to power 3.5" drives off it) so a very slim chance it can read but can't write however such behaviour should seem more like hardware problems not simply security priviledge errors. If you get the same consistent problem on multiple XP machines not part of the FEDEFdomain it is unlikely multiple machines all have broken usb ports the same.
IF we are talking about a flash card reader slot (like the memory sticks that go in Sony cameras) those DO have a physical read/write protect tab, and YES often times some card reader slots contact switch that is supposed to detect the position of the plastic switch get stuck in one position or other. Again from your initial description I am supposing we're not talking about that here right?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
I am attempting to write to the Root drive by creating a new folder in it. I am not playing with the sub directories
.
The External HDD : Hitachi USB XL2000 2.0TB _ has it's own power adapter , and it is also a single full HDD drive in an external case. It is not a flash drive.
.
This is really leaving me with GPO security , third party USB security , or malware ...
So I can see the RSoP and there is nothing there being applied by GPO
this makes me think that someone's been messing with the write capabilities in the Registry.
and wouldn't you knwo that the Reg Key was DWOD =1 (Write Protect = true)
I changed the value back to 0 , and rebooted.
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM \CurrentCo ntrolSet\C ontrol\Sto rageDevice Policies]
"WriteProtect"=dword:00000 000
The drive can now be Written to
.
.
.
The External HDD : Hitachi USB XL2000 2.0TB _ has it's own power adapter , and it is also a single full HDD drive in an external case. It is not a flash drive.
.
This is really leaving me with GPO security , third party USB security , or malware ...
So I can see the RSoP and there is nothing there being applied by GPO
this makes me think that someone's been messing with the write capabilities in the Registry.
and wouldn't you knwo that the Reg Key was DWOD =1 (Write Protect = true)
I changed the value back to 0 , and rebooted.
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM
"WriteProtect"=dword:00000
The drive can now be Written to
.
.
ASKER
Next time When it isn't apparent that the Problem is a security permissions , You should jump right into the registry ans see who's been messing with the write protect ....!
Well of course go with the most likely problems first, and it was more likely that a volume used for archiving on server would be secured to prevent accidental deletion or unauthorized access.
Plus, two DIFFERENT non domain XP machines have the same UNusual change to priviledges problem, what's up with that eh? Sounds like a horse, check horse before zebra.
Glad that solved it.
Plus, two DIFFERENT non domain XP machines have the same UNusual change to priviledges problem, what's up with that eh? Sounds like a horse, check horse before zebra.
Glad that solved it.
First, go to Start-->Run, type cmd (hit <enter>)
From the command prompt:
diskpart (hit <enter>)
select disk 'disk #' (hit <enter>) (the disk # can be found in disk management if you right click My Computer and click Manage.)
Attributes volume clear readonly (hit <enter>)
type exit (hit <enter>)
Give that a try, see if it helps.
Kenny