Need to create a CDFS partition on a USB key

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turnerpaul

I need to find a way to create a partition on a usb key in CDFS
instead of FAT32. Does anyone know a way?!

The reason is so that I can put an autorun file in the CDFS partition
that fires up when you insert the usb key.

There's already a company called U3 that make usb key's that do this,
but I need to find a way to do this ourselves - it's proving quite
tricky!

I thought there might be some partition software that can do this?
Windows will only let you format USB key partitions as FAT32.

Any help or advice would be really appreciated. Thanks guys

Paul
 
(e-mail address removed) added these comments in the current
discussion du jour ...
I need to find a way to create a partition on a usb key in
CDFS instead of FAT32. Does anyone know a way?!
Click to expand...

What is CDFS? I thought the only two choices, or at least the
main choices, were FAT32 and NTFS. Or, are you running Linux or
something other than standards Windows?
The reason is so that I can put an autorun file in the CDFS
partition that fires up when you insert the usb key.

There's already a company called U3 that make usb key's that
do this, but I need to find a way to do this ourselves - it's
proving quite tricky!

I thought there might be some partition software that can do
this? Windows will only let you format USB key partitions as
FAT32.
Click to expand...

Hmmm. My only choice for native Win XP Pro SP2 is NTFS. If I want
FAT32 I need a 3rd party utlility such as Partition Magic.
 
I need to find a way to create a partition on a usb key in CDFS
instead of FAT32. Does anyone know a way?!

The reason is so that I can put an autorun file in the CDFS partition
that fires up when you insert the usb key.

There's already a company called U3 that make usb key's that do this,
but I need to find a way to do this ourselves - it's proving quite
tricky!

I thought there might be some partition software that can do this?
Windows will only let you format USB key partitions as FAT32.

Any help or advice would be really appreciated. Thanks guys

Paul
Click to expand...
You don't need to format it as CDFS to do this. Just stick the
autorun.inf file in the root of the key.
 
You don't need to format it as CDFS to do this. Just stick the
autorun.inf file in the root of the key.
Click to expand...


Great idea but I'm afraid it's not as easy as that! XP won't autorun
from usb sticks. However I think Vista does.
 
I need to find a way to create a partition on a usb key in CDFS
instead of FAT32. Does anyone know a way?!

The reason is so that I can put an autorun file in the CDFS partition
that fires up when you insert the usb key.

There's already a company called U3 that make usb key's that do this,
but I need to find a way to do this ourselves - it's proving quite
tricky!

I thought there might be some partition software that can do this?
Windows will only let you format USB key partitions as FAT32.

Any help or advice would be really appreciated. Thanks guys

Paul
Click to expand...

There are partition managers that do a wide range of formats, such
as Partition Logic, but whether that does cdfs I dont know.

Win will run an autorun file on the drive regardless of filesystem,
just set your win settings to auto insert notification on if its not
already.


NT
 
There are partition managers that do a wide range of formats, such
as Partition Logic, but whether that does cdfs I dont know.
Click to expand...

No I'm afraid it doesn't.
Win will run an autorun file on the drive regardless of filesystem,
just set your win settings to auto insert notification on if its not
already.
Click to expand...

I need it to work in xp without changing xp settings.
 
Paul said:
No I'm afraid it doesn't.


I need it to work in xp without changing xp settings.
Click to expand...

Autoinsert notification is on by default in xp, so if its off it been
set
like that deliberately. AFAIK theres no way to autorun files when
auto-insert-notify is off. Thank god.


NT
 
Paul said:
Great idea but I'm afraid it's not as easy as that! XP won't autorun
from usb sticks. However I think Vista does.
Click to expand...

XP most certainly does autorun from USB sticks. It is possible that the
autorun is disabled for the drive letter that your stick occupies. TweakUI
in the Power toys collection from Microsoft (Google 'TweakUI') allows
individual control of what can autorun.

Be aware that there is malware about that exploits the autorun feature.
 
HEMI-Powered said:
(e-mail address removed) added these comments in the current
discussion du jour ...


What is CDFS? I thought the only two choices, or at least the
main choices, were FAT32 and NTFS. Or, are you running Linux or
something other than standards Windows?
Click to expand...

CDFS stands for Compact Disk Filing System and is the normal file format
used for CD-ROM disks. It can also be used for DVD-ROM disks but drives
vary in their ability to read it. UDF (Unified Disc Format) is prefered for
DVD.
 
Paul said:
Not by default though. You have to enable it.
Click to expand...

It's enabled by default on all drive letters except A: and B: and it can be
enabled on those (but not through tweakUI). You have to disable it.
 
It's enabled by default on all drive letters except A: and B:

Sort of. Although by default USB memory keys do not autorun when
inserted. At least not on XP SP2.
 
Paul said:
Sort of. Although by default USB memory keys do not autorun when
inserted. At least not on XP SP2.
Click to expand...

They do on mine - and I have never changed it (as I have had no need). I
discovered that it worked when I copied a CD onto a USB stick and copied the
autorun file as well.
 
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