Ubuntu – MicroSD card is set to Read-only state. How to write data on it

ramsd card

I have a MicroSD card reader in my notebook. When I insert a MicroSD memory card into it, I can't write any data on it – it's read-only. The same thing happens when I try to do it under root. And I can't change the permission policy for it. This problem happens for all microSD cards (I've tested 2 cards). I've encountered it on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, now I'm on Ubuntu 12.10, the problem is still on it's place. When I try to insert such a "read-only" card in my mobile phone, everything's OK and I can write data on it. So, can anybody tell me, how can I write a data onto the card?

UPD: here's fdisk -l output:

Disk /dev/sdc1: 2013 MB, 2013135360 bytes
62 heads, 62 sectors/track, 1022 cylinders, total 3931905 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x00000000

 Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System

The file system of the card is msdos. As to me it's weird.

UPD2: I've found a small "lock" switch on my card adapter, and it turns out, that when I insert it in my notebook, it switches on. Perhaps, I have to find some glue or something to get that switch stuck…

UPD3: There was no glue near me, so I've decided to buy another card-reader.

Best Answer

Two possibilities, first is that being a hardware thing, as micro SDHC have a little notch you can easily notice which matches another notch in the reader and that basically just enables it in read-only mode. That you can't change, just try to use another reader or you could put a piece of silicon or tape on notch, easiest thing is to use another reader.

Second possibility is that being a file permission issue, in which case you can do the following : In terminal, use these commands:

gksudo nautilus

This will launch nautilus in root shell and bypass all permissions. OR:

sudo fdisk -l

This will give you a list of the drives on your system, figure out which drive it is in the list, easiest way is to look for the blocks as this is the space. It will probably be /dev/sdb or /dev/sdc, then 

sudo chown -hR <your username> <the SDHC drive, /dev/sdb for example>

this will change ownership of the drive to you. OR:

sudo chmod -R 777 <the SDHC drive, /dev/sdb for example>

Though if you just execute the first command sudo nautilus it will save you all this trouble, but you'll have to do it every time you use the SDHC.

If all of this doesn't work, use this command :

sudo mount --options remount,rw <the SDHC drive, /dev/sdb for example, find it using fdisk -l>

If there's anything you don't understand just comment.

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