Flash issues using WinDiskImager

[BlackForest]

I have recently started having issues when trying to flash a new Image onto my SD cards. From WinDiskImager I get lock error 5, Etcher gets stuck on starting. It doesn't matter what SD card (even brand new ones), what Image or what flash tool I use, it wont start the flashing Process. Using a different system (that I don't have access to anywhere near as often so it isn't really viable as I flash new cards fairly often) it works on the same cards with the same image without any issue. I have been searching for a solution for a while now but have so far drawn a blank.

Any Ideas what could be causing this?
I am using Windows 10 - 1903, though the issue started before I updated.

[gordon77]

The only issue l have had is trying to write sd cards in a laptop using the sd slot. Only works if using a sd to usb adapter and the laptop USB port.

[fruitoftheloom]

I have recently started having issues when trying to flash a new Image onto my SD cards. From WinDiskImager I get lock error 5, Etcher gets stuck on starting. It doesn't matter what SD card (even brand new ones), what Image or what flash tool I use, it wont start the flashing Process. Using a different system (that I don't have access to anywhere near as often so it isn't really viable as I flash new cards fairly often) it works on the same cards with the same image without any issue. I have been searching for a solution for a while now but have so far drawn a blank.

Any Ideas what could be causing this?
I am using Windows 10 - 1903, though the issue started before I updated.

The SD Card Reader must be at a minimum SDHC compatible. USB Card Reader from Poundland works for me.

[BlackForest]

Unfortunately it didn't make any difference, (both my internal and external are SDHC compatible). It still wont flash (External one tested on all USB ports including Docking Station). Somehow it appears to be a more fundamental Windows issue.

As a stupid experiment I also attempted to flash a generic USB Flash drive (also new) with the same result.

[fruitoftheloom]

Unfortunately it didn't make any difference, (both my internal and external are SDHC compatible). It still wont flash (External one tested on all USB ports including Docking Station). Somehow it appears to be a more fundamental Windows issue.

As a stupid experiment I also attempted to flash a generic USB Flash drive (also new) with the same result.

Boot up your Windows Machine with a Linux LiveCD. Etcher works OK under Linux (I use Xubuntu x86-64)

[BlackForest]

Quote fruitoftheloom

Yeah that works, good Idea, though I will still search for a solution on windows, Primarily as I have some tools on windows that aren't available on Linux that I often need at a moments notice.

[Ernst]

From WinDiskImager I get lock error 5, Etcher gets stuck on starting.

Very old trick, should work under Windows 10, to show the meaning of error code 5:

Code: Select all

C:\Users>net helpmsg 5

Access is denied.

Which can happen when:
- Win32DiskManager is not running with administrative privileges
- The target SD card is open in another process (Explorer, cmd, etc)

[aBUGSworstnightmare]

uSD card adapters sometimes have a write-protect slide on the side ... Worth checking

[BlackForest]

uSD card adapters sometimes have a write-protect slide on the side ... Worth checking

Unfortunately not, as said I also used an Internal one that also doesn't work.

From WinDiskImager I get lock error 5, Etcher gets stuck on starting.

Very old trick, should work under Windows 10, to show the meaning of error code 5:

Code: Select all

C:\Users>net helpmsg 5

Access is denied.

Which can happen when:
- Win32DiskManager is not running with administrative privileges
- The target SD card is open in another process (Explorer, cmd, etc)

Yeah I had already found that and checked, Its running as Admin and the SD card shouldn't be Open, It certainly doesn't Complain If i try to eject it and also has the same issue after just plugging the card.

[HawaiianPi]

Disable any antivirus or mallware protection software you have installed. I forget which one it is, but one of them messes with image writing.

Either that, or try NOOBS.

[jeepers01]

I am getting the same problem - access denied in both WinDiskImager and Etcher latest versions.
This is since a recent Windows Pro upgrade to 1903. (They worked previously in 1803)

However I have found that WinFLASHTool-2.0 works fine, even without running as administrator.

Hope the helps