Arch Linux

mutex

Member

Registered: 2023-01-03

Posts: 6

failed to open '/dev/sdc': Read-only file system, Weird data on USB.

Hello,
I'm trying to format my USB stick but it is read-only.

# dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sdc
dd: failed to open '/dev/sdc': Read-only file system

It also apparently has weird data on it. Don't know why but it doesn't look normal.

/dev/sdc contains `BIOS (ia32) ROM Ext. (85*512) instruction 0xaa523100' data

Any help? I know this isn't specifically ArchLinux but I thought it would be a good place for help.
Thanks.

seth

Member

From: Won't reply 2 private help req

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 76,383

Re: failed to open '/dev/sdc': Read-only file system, Weird data on USB.

I know this isn't specifically ArchLinux but I thought it would be a good place for help.

Ifff you're actually running archlinux, otherwise we can't help you because wdk what weird system config you might face and usually you won't either.

Unplug the key, run

dmesg -w

re-plug the key and post the dmesg tail it generates.

---

How to upload text · How to boot w/o GUI · Disable Windows Fast-Start! · Fix your xinitrc

mutex

Member

Registered: 2023-01-03

Posts: 6

Re: failed to open '/dev/sdc': Read-only file system, Weird data on USB.

Yes I am running Arch Linux. It's just not specifically a problem with Arch I don't think.

Logs

seth

Member

From: Won't reply 2 private help req

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 76,383

Re: failed to open '/dev/sdc': Read-only file system, Weird data on USB.

[  391.313907] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdc] Write Protect is on

Assuming the thing doesn't have an actual switch that's a self protection measure.
The stick is "broken", no longer safe to write (according to its firmware) and set itself to readonly so you can at least save the data on it.

It'll likely be unwritable on any system.
On a remote chance, reboot. But I'd not hold my breath for that.

---

How to upload text · How to boot w/o GUI · Disable Windows Fast-Start! · Fix your xinitrc

mutex

Member

Registered: 2023-01-03

Posts: 6

Re: failed to open '/dev/sdc': Read-only file system, Weird data on USB.

Yeah. No switch on the USB. Must be broken.
Thanks for the help!

Head_on_a_Stick

Member

From: The Wirral

Registered: 2014-02-20

Posts: 9,003

Website

Re: failed to open '/dev/sdc': Read-only file system, Weird data on USB.

Before you throw the stick away perhaps try

# hdparm -r0 /dev/sdX

(Replace X with the correct letter for the USB stick, do not add a partition number.)

---

Jin, Jîyan, Azadî