Remove USB flash-drive write-protection

Question

I have a sports-watch which has an integrated flash-memory. This flash-memory is used to store training information. When I connect the watch to my computer using the USB cable, it's detected as write-protected flash drive:

[354703.052138] sd 7:0:0:0: [sdc] Write Protect is on

..and I obviously can't remount the partition with RW rights:

root@T60:~# mount -vt vfat -o rw,remount /dev/sdc1 /media/
mount: cannot remount block device /dev/sdc1 read-write, is write-protected
root@T60:~# 

I remembered that hdparm had an option to change the readonly flag for a device and as USB flash-drive is detected as an SATA drive, then I gave it a try, but this did not help either:

root@T60:~# hdparm -r0 /dev/sdc

/dev/sdc:
 setting readonly to 0 (off)
 readonly      =  0 (off)
root@T60:~# mount -vt vfat -o rw,remount /dev/sdc1 /media/
mount: cannot remount block device /dev/sdc1 read-write, is write-protected
root@T60:~# 

I guess that the watch is designed in a way that once it detects the USB connection, it triggers the (hardware) USB write-protection switch? Is such hardware write-protection part of the USB standard? Or is there something left to try?

Answer 1

I realize this is a Unix & Linux site but if you have access to a PC I'd try out some of the tips from this site:

• http://www.rmprepusb.com/tutorials/54---how-to-fix-write-protected-disks.

There is a tool listed on that site called RMPrepUSB, which has worked in past as well, YMMV. Here's a screenshot of that tool:

    

I've run into issues with MP3 players becoming read only, and the only fix I could find was to mount them on a PC and either use one of the tips suggested in that post or to right click on the device in Windows Explorer, and uncheck the "Read Only" attribute.

You might be able to confirm that this attribute is the root cause and use mtools or mattrib to uncheck this under Linux as well.

Update the firmware?

From the Timex user's manual:

GET THE LATEST FIRMWARE

While you can use the watch right out of the box, the online firmware will have the latest enhancements and improvements. Use the Device Agent to connect the watch to your computer and get the latest updates.

1. Download the Timex® Device Agent for USB Devices at: http://TimexIronman.com/DeviceAgent

2. Connect the charging clip to the watch, then plug the USB cable into the computer. A picture of a connected computer appears on the watch display.

3. Open the Device Agent on your computer.

4. If prompted by the Device Agent, follow the onscreen instructions to download the latest watch firmware.

References

• mattrib man page
• mtools man page
• Timex Run Trainer GPS 2.0 In-Depth Review