Comments on: Why won't my new USB drive autoplay?

Question: Why won't my new USB drive autoplay?

timepiece — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 08:21:22 -0800

I got a new USB drive, but when I plug it into my computer at work, it does not automatically launch an Explorer window, not does it recognize the autoplay icon I have on there.

I am plugging it into the same port(s) I plugged the old drive into, where all of these things worked as described - window popped up automatically, icon showed in My Computer (same files for autoplay/icon, obviously).

I like the new drive because it is physically smaller and does not block the adjoining port like the old drive. I want to use it (well, will use it, even with these inconveniences), but I would like it to auto-launch and use my icon. This is a Win2K work computer which is centrally controlled, so I do not have access to administrative functions (hell, I don't have access to regedit).

Does the problem lie with the drive, or the computer? I'm inclined to think the drive, since the old one worked fine.

By: zabuni

zabuni — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 09:07:52 -0800

Have the IT people been by recently? One security measure often taken is the disabling of autoplay for CDs and thumbdrives.

By: owhydididoit

owhydididoit — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 09:40:34 -0800

The newer device may require a Win2K driver. Try searching Windows Update and the manufacturer's web site for one.

By: Cyrano

Cyrano — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 09:50:31 -0800

If you don't have admin rights, that's probably the issue. Along the lines of what zabuni said, where I work they've locked down certain USB functions and it causes havok with thumb drives (although you'd get an "insufficient rights to install hardware" error where I work.)

Bribe an IT guy with admin rights with some beer and have him log onto your machine and then plug in the drive. There will probably be a hardware install dialog when he/she does that. I'm betting it will work under your logon after that.

By: timepiece

timepiece — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 11:01:55 -0800

I'd love to get an IT guy to help me out, but that assumes there's one on site - there is not (I work at a very small branch in a large library system). And we don't have any open tickets at the moment to get one here.

To my knowledge, no changes have been made to staff PCs lately - like I said, the old drive worked in this manner last week.

According to the manufacturer, no driver needed. (I know, gimmicky, but harder to lose track of).

Realization - could the fact I haven't named the drive have something to do with it? I can't do that at work (admin rights), but I could once I get home.

By: timepiece

timepiece — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 11:03:55 -0800

Clarification - the drive does work, it just doesn't autoplay - so it's not that the USB ports have been disabled. I can open My Computer and browse the drive, run Portable Firefox, etc., it just doesn't pop an Explorer window up automatically after it's plugged in.

By: Blazecock Pileon

Blazecock Pileon — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 12:54:04 -0800

I second zabuni's comment: Autoplay is a security problem that allows spyware to be installed and so it is often disabled on managed systems. Without access to the Registry I'm not sure how you'd re-enable this.

By: landis

landis — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 13:21:00 -0800

Just to make sure, have you tried plugging in the drive, going to My Computer, right clicking on the drive, going to Properties, then Autoplay, selecting Browse w/ Explorer, then checking the Always Do This or whatever the terminology is?

This sometimes helps me. Good luck.

By: landis

landis — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 13:22:36 -0800

Crap, just remembered you've got Win2K. I don't know if the option I mentioned above is available on that OS. Still, good luck.