USB stick problem

derrick

Re this thread, I have received a USB stick that appears to have problems, it is asking me to install software for this stick, why?

When I did click on the installation Wizard the following appeared: -


"The software you are installing for this hardware:

USB Mass Storage Device has not passed Windows Logo testing to verify its compatibility with Windows XP.

Continuing your installation of this software may impair or destablize the correct operation of your system either immediately or in the future. Microsoft strongly recommends that you stop this installation now and contact the hardware vendor for software that has passed Windows Logo testing.

Continue anyway. STOP Installation."


There was also a link to the Logo site which supplied the following: -

"Designed for Microsoft Windows XP Logo

Hardware and software products displaying the Designed for Microsoft Windows XP logo have been tested for compatibility with Microsoft Windows operating systems through use of Microsoft-provided testing procedures. For the best performance, Microsoft recommends using hardware products that display the Designed for Microsoft Windows XP logo on the external packaging and on the device itself.
[IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME~1/user/LOCALS~1/Temp/msoclip1/01/clip_image001.gif[/IMG]Software for hardware products with the Designed for Microsoft Windows XP logo has a digital signature from Microsoft, indicating that the product was tested for compatibility with Windows and has not been altered since testing. For the latest updates, including security fixes, service packs, new Help files, and device drivers, see [URL="hcp://services/centers/update"]Windows Update[/URL] in Help and Support Center. You may also want to contact the hardware vendor directly and ask for a device driver that has met the Designed for Microsoft Windows XP logo requirements. For more information, visit the Microsoft Windows Logo Program (go to http://www.microsoft.com/ and search for "Windows logo program") on the Microsoft Web site.


Warning

• Microsoft strongly recommends you only use device drivers with the Designed for Microsoft Windows XP logo. Installing device drivers that have not been digitally-signed by Microsoft may disable the system, allow viruses onto your computer, or otherwise impair the correct operation of your computer either immediately or in the future.!

Is it really a problem, or have I just got a faulty stick?


Is it usual to have to install software for a bog standard usb stick, and if so does that mean the stick can only be used on that computer?




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Stooby2

Some sticks have security software that runs when you plug them in - it probably wants to run this and possibly install a small program on the PC related to it. The software is designed to prevent some getting access to the data on the stick if you lost it.

The warning appears as not all companies bothered to go through the windows certification program.

To add; If you ignore all that stuff and open windows explorer, you should be able to see the stick (it may have two partitions, again not uncommon, the security software is sometimes put in a tiny partition). If you haven't run the software, you should be able to see what's on the stick and delete it all, then use the stick as normal.

John_Gray

If you have no interest in this software, simply do a quick format of the USB Flash Drive as FAT-32 or NTFS, and the whole drive is free for your data! Be very sure that it is the Flash Drive which you are formatting...

derrick

I use FF16.0.2.

I opened IE, put in the stick and nothing happens now, no window to tell me about the Windows Logo, and nothing in "My Computer", same if I close IE and try it with FF open.

I fail to see how I can format the stick if I cannot see it, that was my original intention, but can't see it, can't format it

John Gray, I have no interest in the software, but have also no idea about FAT-32 or NTFS.

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kwikbreaks

The browser is irrelevant.

If it ran an installation program from the USB stick initially then it must have at least read the stick OK initially.

If it wasn't an installation program from the stick then it could have been a driver installation to enable the stick to operate - I have seen this with some things with inbuilt USB disks such as a phone and vaguely remember a USB stick I had years back which didn't use the default windows driver but caused a variation to load although where that driver was stored I've no idea.

I suspect that you somehow installed whatever the usb stick installer wanted you to so it isn't asking again or it screwed up something and has stopped the stick from working.

If it were my machine I'd do a system restore back a few days and try it again to see exactly what it is trying to do as I'd be concerned it could be adware or worse.

As it was a free 1GB stick you need to put a value on your time messing with it as 8GB sticks only cost ~ £4.

derrick

kwikbreaks wrote: »

The browser is irrelevant.

If it ran an installation program from the USB stick initially then it must have at least read the stick OK initially.

If it wasn't an installation program from the stick then it could have been a driver installation to enable the stick to operate - I have seen this with some things with inbuilt USB disks such as a phone and vaguely remember a USB stick I had years back which didn't use the default windows driver but caused a variation to load although where that driver was stored I've no idea.

I suspect that you somehow installed whatever the usb stick installer wanted you to so it isn't asking again or it screwed up something and has stopped the stick from working.

If it were my machine I'd do a system restore back a few days and try it again to see exactly what it is trying to do as I'd be concerned it could be adware or worse.

As it was a free 1GB stick you need to put a value on your time messing with it as 8GB sticks only cost ~ £4.

I never continued with the installation once the Windows Logo warning came up, I clicked on "STOP installation", it is not showing as installed anywhere I can see.

Re the "value on time", it isn't costing me anything as the time is whilst I am on the computer anyway.

I might try the system restore and see if that brings anything.

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elektra

derrick wrote: »

I use FF16.0.2.

I opened IE, put in the stick and nothing happens now, no window to tell me about the Windows Logo, and nothing in "My Computer", same if I close IE and try it with FF open.

I fail to see how I can format the stick if I cannot see it, that was my original intention, but can't see it, can't format it

John Gray, I have no interest in the software, but have also no idea about FAT-32 or NTFS.

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Hi Derrick

I also received my stick yesterday and after reading your post I thought I would try it.

Put in Window 7 system, light comes on in the stick but nothing shows in 'my computer'. Have not tried in Windows XP system yet.

kwikbreaks

derrick wrote: »

Re the "value on time", it isn't costing me anything as the time is whilst I am on the computer anyway.

I'm afraid I've been guilty of that too - spending ages fixing something that had little value anyway...

kwikbreaks

elektra wrote: »

Hi Derrick

I also received my stick yesterday and after reading your post I thought I would try it.

Put in Window 7 system, light comes on in the stick but nothing shows in 'my computer'. Have not tried in Windows XP system yet.

My betting is that it isn't working with the default windows driver and that was what it was trying to install on XP although where it found the driver I've no idea.

derrick

I have system restored back to a few hours before I first tried installing yesterday, I am now getting the request to install the software as I said in the OP. Still not showing in "My Computer" or anywhere I can see.

Is there any way I can format this stick without installing the software, which would mean ignoring the Windows warning?

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derrick

espresso wrote: »

Not sure why you are so worried about the warning.

Often these freebie/promo USB drives have an additional partition that is formatted as a CD ROM, making it difficult to do a full format.

Because, as far as I know, it is an official warning, and not being the techie you are I don't want virus's on my computer that I will have trouble removing assuming they can be removed!

If I cannot see it on my computer, which I can't, then I cannot format it without ignoring the Windows warning, and as no one has suggested that would be a good idea , I may just have to bin the stick.

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