Broken USB Keys
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Unfortunately, some USB "thumb drive" manufacturers include bundled extras on the drive for the sake of user convenience. Most of this software requires Administrator access on the computer to install. While this software might be fine for home use, it is unfeasible to install all the software from every manufacturer onto every machine in every lab. Therefore we only support drives that are formatted as FAT mass storage devices.
Formatting your USB Key for Lab Use
If your drive is brand new, it probably just needs formatting. If you have been using it and it suddenly does not mount, it is probably failing or has failed.
To format a drive:
- Insert the USB drive.
Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Computer Management -> Storage -> Disk Management.
- A wizard may popup to help you "initialize" and "format" the USB drive. Follow the wizard if it appears.
If it does not, find the USB drive/volume in the list of volumes. Click it to select it. Choose Action -> All Tasks -> Format. Format it as FAT. Reminder: Formatting erases all data on the drive.
U3 "Smart" USB Keys
The "smart" software that comes from U3-branded USB drives is incompatible with the computers in our labs. Unfortunately, formating a U3-enabled drive is not enough to fix it, you need to uninstall the software entirely from the USB key. Instructions are available from the vendor. We strongly recommend that students do NOT purchase any U3-enabled device for lab use.
Still Doesn't Work?
If your USB key is still giving you a hard time, please contact us.
