Mounting a Folder as a Removable Drive
I am developing some apps that auto-run from a USB drive. To get this to work, I have to send the software to the publisher who puts the software onto a partition of the USB drive (upto 5mb).
The result is a partition that appears to Windows as a CD-ROM and a partition that appears as a removable drive, and must be the next sequential drive letter. For example a PC with the drives C (H/D) and D (DVD-R) in use would see
E (CD-ROM) and F (Removable storage) when the drive is inserted.
Developing for this is difficult and to test, I have been buring my software to a CD, then inserting the CD and a normal removable drive into a computer.
I am looking to make a test, platform. Ideally it would be two folders - one for the CD and one for the Removable Drive which could be mounted to appear as such. I used to have a program called FakeCD which faked a CD from the contents of a folder. Is there simular to this for a USB drive?
If not, does anyone know how I can make a CD partition on a NORMAL CD drive, so I can test and retest without sending to the publishers?
Thanks,
Dentab
The result is a partition that appears to Windows as a CD-ROM and a partition that appears as a removable drive, and must be the next sequential drive letter. For example a PC with the drives C (H/D) and D (DVD-R) in use would see
E (CD-ROM) and F (Removable storage) when the drive is inserted.
Developing for this is difficult and to test, I have been buring my software to a CD, then inserting the CD and a normal removable drive into a computer.
I am looking to make a test, platform. Ideally it would be two folders - one for the CD and one for the Removable Drive which could be mounted to appear as such. I used to have a program called FakeCD which faked a CD from the contents of a folder. Is there simular to this for a USB drive?
If not, does anyone know how I can make a CD partition on a NORMAL CD drive, so I can test and retest without sending to the publishers?
Thanks,
Dentab
ASKER
thanks but no...
It Must be picked up as a removable drive... it needs to fool my program, which can tell the difference
It Must be picked up as a removable drive... it needs to fool my program, which can tell the difference
hmmm... do you think making the usb drive bootable help to mimic what you're needing.... giving it a MBR etc... O/S might see it a bit differently... hmmm
ASKER
lol, no
1) Either I need to mimic a CD/USB drive combo using folders
OR
2) make a CD partition on a USB drive.
I dont think option 2 is possible, as I expect it is hardware dependant - but if anyone knows how I can thats 500points @ Grade A
1) Either I need to mimic a CD/USB drive combo using folders
OR
2) make a CD partition on a USB drive.
I dont think option 2 is possible, as I expect it is hardware dependant - but if anyone knows how I can thats 500points @ Grade A
not all usb drives support being set up with a MBR... we need to keep that in mind....
i was gonna type a bunch of stuff out... but maybe this article here will show you the options i was referring to...
http://aaltonen.us/2004/03/01/tip-boot-from-usb-key-addendum/
i was gonna type a bunch of stuff out... but maybe this article here will show you the options i was referring to...
http://aaltonen.us/2004/03/01/tip-boot-from-usb-key-addendum/
ASKER
I am not after installing an MBR, nor make it bootable.
I want it to Autorun. This is done by making a partition that looks like a CD - see U3 drives for an example. I have to develop the auto-run software and I am looking to make a test-platform.
This has in the past required me to insert a CD with my autorun software on it, and a standard USB drive at the same time (EG My autorun cd on D: and a blank USB drive on E:). The software autoruns from the CD and looks for the USB drive my enumerating installed drives and their types.
However this means using a CD each time, or burning to an ISO and using a virtual CD. Also it means that when I roam from one office to another I must not forget to take my USB drive. There are other justifications for wanting a virtual USB drive too, but the problem is how.
The only solution I can see is writing a TESTING mode into my program to allow for it not being a folder an dnot a USB drive. This is what I have done in the past, but it does not mean I am truely testing the software. It is not the end of the world if I cannot, or even the end of the project - I just hoped that someone would know how to achieve this. It's got to be possible, just I don't know how.
I want it to Autorun. This is done by making a partition that looks like a CD - see U3 drives for an example. I have to develop the auto-run software and I am looking to make a test-platform.
This has in the past required me to insert a CD with my autorun software on it, and a standard USB drive at the same time (EG My autorun cd on D: and a blank USB drive on E:). The software autoruns from the CD and looks for the USB drive my enumerating installed drives and their types.
However this means using a CD each time, or burning to an ISO and using a virtual CD. Also it means that when I roam from one office to another I must not forget to take my USB drive. There are other justifications for wanting a virtual USB drive too, but the problem is how.
The only solution I can see is writing a TESTING mode into my program to allow for it not being a folder an dnot a USB drive. This is what I have done in the past, but it does not mean I am truely testing the software. It is not the end of the world if I cannot, or even the end of the project - I just hoped that someone would know how to achieve this. It's got to be possible, just I don't know how.
ASKER
I have found a partial solution... I luckily have a U3 drive, and U3 customizer allows me to replace the CD rom partition with my own ISO. This gives me a definate improvement for testing.
I am really after the drive emulation solution now to award an expert, or how to accomplish this without using a U3 (or simular technology) drive (which I doubt is possible).
I am really after the drive emulation solution now to award an expert, or how to accomplish this without using a U3 (or simular technology) drive (which I doubt is possible).
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ASKER
Thats U3 customizer (read my last post)
yeah i dunno, i think you may be ahead of the curve on this one... good luck!
ASKER
nm, thanks.
I have found others _asking for it_ on the web, but no solution. I KNOW it is possible because there is remote USB software that fakes a local USB device, but communicates accross a network to where it is really plugged in.
if nobody posts anything closer to what I want soon, I will accept ID:20781739
I have found others _asking for it_ on the web, but no solution. I KNOW it is possible because there is remote USB software that fakes a local USB device, but communicates accross a network to where it is really plugged in.
if nobody posts anything closer to what I want soon, I will accept ID:20781739
well.. i wish i could of been of more help... i'll keep piddling around though
ex: (type at the command prompt)
let's say we have a folder named test1234 on the C: drive
type:
subst T: "C:\test1234"
and you will have a drive letter that is now T: and is the c:\test1234 folder
to delete
subst T: /D
hope that helps...