Action upon inserting memory key into usb

  • Thread starter Thread starter C.M.G.
  • Start date Start date
C

C.M.G.

windows xp

When I insert a memory key into the USB port on my laptop, a folder with the
contents of the root directory on the memory key automatically opens.

When I insert the same memory key into the USB on my desktop, nothing
happens. I have to go to "my computer" and click the removable drive icon to
open the root directory.

How can I restore the setting for the default action upon memory key
insertion, so that the folder opens automatically?

Thank you,

Clem.
 
windows xp

When I insert a memory key into the USB port on my laptop, a folder with the
contents of the root directory on the memory key automatically opens.

When I insert the same memory key into the USB on my desktop, nothing
happens. I have to go to "my computer" and click the removable drive icon to
open the root directory.

How can I restore the setting for the default action upon memory key
insertion, so that the folder opens automatically?

Thank you,

Clem.
Click to expand...

Once you have the key inserted and recognized by Explorer, right-click
on the drive, then Properties > AutoPlay tab, and select the desired
action..
 
Bill,

Thanks for your reply.

I have set the appropriate action, rebooted the machine, checked the
settings (they are still correct), but the specified actions are still not
executed. Any idea what else to try?

Thanks,

Clem.
 
Bill,

Thanks for your reply.

I have set the appropriate action, rebooted the machine, checked the
settings (they are still correct), but the specified actions are still not
executed. Any idea what else to try?

Thanks,

Clem.
Click to expand...

Ironically, my problem has always been turning AutoPlay OFF. There are
several ways of doing this globally, but my experience is that not all
of the "documented" techniques work all the time. Did you at any time
turn off AutoPlay globally? Is it invoked when you insert a CD, for
example? If inserting a CD does not invoke AutoPlay, then I'd assume
it is OFF, and then Google for an appropriate way to turn it back ON.

If you know for a fact that AutoPlay is not OFF, then I'd TRY the
following:

1. Remove your memory key from the USB slot
2. In Command Prompt, type Devmgmt.msc set
devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1
3. Go to Device Manager, click on VIEW and select Show Hidden Devices
4. Expand Universal Serial Bus Controllers and UNINSTALL every grayed-
out "USB Mass Storage Device" entry
5. Reboot and retry you key

The above procedure will result in a message "New Hardware Detected"
when you subsequently reconnect a device that was not connected at the
time you did the above. This should present no problems.
 
Bill,

Thanks again for your help.

It turns out that there are no hidden USB mass storage devices.

However, there is a USB card reader that uses a non-xp driver. I suspect
that this might be the culprit, and I will look for an updated driver. I'll
write again if this does not fix the problem.

Clem.
 
Bill,

Thanks again for your help.

It turns out that there are no hidden USB mass storage devices.
Click to expand...

That's strange! I'd expect at least one entry, since you've use your
memory key previously. If it's not categorized as a USB Mass Storage
Device, then what is it?

Sorry, I've gt nothing more to offer.
 
Bill,

In your prior instructions, did you mean for me to remove the memory key
without first going through the "safely remove hardware" routine?

Clem.
 
Bill,

In your prior instructions, did you mean for me to remove the memory key
without first going through the "safely remove hardware" routine?

Clem.
Click to expand...

Not especially. As far as I know, these devices typically don't REALLY
require you to use the "Safely Remove...", as long as you don't pull
the device out while it's in actual use (i.e. reading or writing).
Either way I'd expect to see a Device Manager entry for the device -
solid color if it's plugged in, and hidden (grayed-out) if not. Using
"Safely Remove..." would not eliminate the hidden Device Manager
entry. Now, all the memory keys/cards I've used show up as "Mass
Storage Devices", so I don't understand why you wouldn't have an entry
in Device Manager. What you can do is open Device Manager while your
key is not plugged in, then plug it in while viewing Device Manager
and see which new entry pops up at that moment.

Keep in mind that my suggestion was just something to try - I can't
say that I'm totally confident that it would solve your problem. The
logic is that if we uninstall the device then perhaps we'd be getting
rid of any lingering definition that may exist in the Registry.
 
Bill,

The device manager shows a USB mass storage device while the memory key is
plugged in. If I "safely uninstall it" while still leaving it plugged in,
the entry is shown with a yellow exclamation mark next to it. If I remove it
from the port, that entry disappears, regardless of whether I show hidden
devices or not.

Clem.
 
Bill,

The device manager shows a USB mass storage device while the memory key is
plugged in. If I "safely uninstall it" while still leaving it plugged in,
the entry is shown with a yellow exclamation mark next to it. If I remove it
from the port, that entry disappears, regardless of whether I show hidden
devices or not.

Clem.
Click to expand...

Hmmm... that behaviour is different from I see on my machine. Anyway,
in that case I suppose you can do the UNINSTALL while the key is
plugged in, then reboot. Reinsert the key and see if there's any
difference.

If that fails (or perhaps even before trying the above, if you
prefer), do the following:

- Start > Run, type gpedit.msc and click OK
- Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System
- In the right-hand panel right-click on "Turn off Autoplay" and
select Properties
- Under the Settings tab, select "All Drives" in the "Turn off
Autoplay on:" box, and make sure you select "Disabled" in the list of
choices you can make. Click "Apply" and exit the Group Policy Editor.

If the choice was not already "Disabled", then perhaps this will help.
Otherwise, I'm afraid I'm lost.
 
Hmmm... that behaviour is different from I see on my machine. Anyway,
in that case I suppose you can do the UNINSTALL while the key is
plugged in, then reboot. Reinsert the key and see if there's any
difference.

If that fails (or perhaps even before trying the above, if you
prefer), do the following:

- Start > Run, type gpedit.msc and click OK
- Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System
- In the right-hand panel right-click on "Turn off Autoplay" and
select Properties
- Under the Settings tab, select "All Drives" in the "Turn off
Autoplay on:" box, and make sure you select "Disabled" in the list of
choices you can make. Click "Apply" and exit the Group Policy Editor.

If the choice was not already "Disabled", then perhaps this will help.
Otherwise, I'm afraid I'm lost.
Click to expand...

An apology may be in order here. Something suddenly reminded me that
the Group Policy Editor is available only on Win XP Pro, so you
wouldn't be able to follow my last suggestion if you're using XP Home.
Sorry.
 
Bill,

I am actually running xp pro, but here's the solution. I plugged in the
memory key, uninstalled it in device manager, removed it, rebooted, plugged
it in, "autoinstall," all works fine now!

Thanks for your help!

Clem.
 
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