Question

Why should U3 USB drive autorun at first insertion?

Asked by: s_federici

I have read a lot about autorun from a USB drive. From all this literature, it comes out that you have to install something on your PC before Windows will allow you to autorun an application from a USB drive.

But U3 people (http://www.u3.com) seem unaffected by this limitation. I have sent them this question

"on a completely new Windows XP PC, that is a PC in which I plug a U3 smartdrive for the very first time and I didn't install anything specific in advance, will my U3 application be able to start immediately without asking anything or, at least the very first time, is there something that I have to install before running my application?"

This is what U3 support answered:

"The device uses drivers native to your PC to run the U3 software. Assuming you don't have any conflicting software, the device should be fully functional the first time it is connected."

How can it be? It is true that you need a specific USB drive (aU3 smartdrive) but, even given this, why the PC should allow you to autorun the application contained in the smartdrive? Is this a bug in the windows security that won't normally allow autorun from a USB drive?

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Asked On
2008-07-28 at 06:42:11ID23600655
Tags

sandisk

,

U3

Topics

Removable Backup Media

,

Microsoft Windows Operating Systems

,

Windows Network Security

Participating Experts
1
Points
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Comments
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Answers

 

by: swift1004Posted on 2008-07-28 at 08:10:05ID: 22103905

Actually, no it's a workaround the U3 software uses.  When it installs, it actually creates a virtual CD drive in addition to the drive letter for the USB key.  The autorun is from the virtual CD, not the USB itself.  That's why it works.

Andy

 

by: s_federiciPosted on 2008-07-28 at 09:44:29ID: 22104717

So, the very first time you plug it in, it installs a specific driver. And where is this driver from? a CD? the Internet? In any case they told me something wrong. With a normal USB pen you don't install a specific driver, but then you must install a specific application that will allow you to autorun. With the U3 the installation of the driver, I suppose, starts automatically and after that it is ready to run its autorun application. But wouldn't the installation process for the driver ask you where to get the driver? Or this is inclueded in win 2000, XP, Vista? As you see, I would like to understand better how it works. Thanks for your help.

 

by: swift1004Posted on 2008-07-28 at 10:02:41ID: 22104875

The drivers are all standard drivers built into Windows XP.   I believe the USB key is pre loaded with software and partitioned into 2 drives, one being a removable USB drive and the other a drive that looks like a CD to Windows.  That way, it uses the Windows XP CD drive drivers to install.  Then, once installed, the "CD drive" runs it's autorun program to get the U3 software up and running.

 

by: s_federiciPosted on 2008-07-28 at 10:28:42ID: 22105080

Ok, so this is a sw/hw trick, isn't it? Well, thanks a lot for yor explanation. Now I need some URLs I could check for reference. Would you mind sending me a few pointers? (I need it for a report I'm writing). Thanks.

 

by: s_federiciPosted on 2008-08-06 at 15:30:40ID: 22175810

I'm waiting for the refence. Thanks.

 

by: swift1004Posted on 2008-08-07 at 07:45:10ID: 22181446

I don't have a reference.  I just know how it works.  Google it if you need to check it against another website.

 

by: s_federiciPosted on 2008-08-07 at 08:16:53ID: 22181782

I found several websites. Just let me know which is the one you considered reliable.

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