Auto Play from USB Stick?

PeterWright wrote on 8/17/2011, 8:21 PM

A project I'm quoting on is going to be distributed on USB stick. Basically it'll be like a webpage with links to access the various included parts.

The client wants if possible to make the opening page come up automatically when the memory stick is inserted in a computer. I know a disc can be made auto play, but how about a memory stick?

Ideas appreciated.

Peter

Comments

Chienworks wrote on 8/17/2011, 8:31 PM

You can put autostart/autorun files on the memory stick just the same as on a CD and any modern OS will handle it.

However, be prepared for more and more people disabling autostart. It's one of the very first things i do on a new PC or after an OS install, and i've done it for hundreds of other folks' computers too. The very rare and far between times when people might actually appreciate an autostarting thing are far outweighed by the hassle and possible side effects of all the other times that it's not wanted.

So, upshot is, even if you do make it autostart, include written instructions like, "to watch the video, double-click on "OurPromoVid".

PeterWright wrote on 8/17/2011, 8:42 PM

Thanks Kelly - that's good to know!

OdieInAz wrote on 8/18/2011, 12:21 AM

US Army Centcom was hacked with autostart USB. Likewise the infamous centrifuge virus was distributed the same way. Just drop a few in the parking lot or at some bars, and some shmuck finds one and,"hey! It's my lucky day! Wonder what's on here?"

Increasingly auto start is disabled.

http://www.technibble.com/1-in-4-worms-spread-through-infected-usb-devices/

Chienworks wrote on 8/18/2011, 5:00 AM

Heck, even malfeasance aside, the last few Samsung USB sticks i bought were set from the factory to autostart and install some stoooopid Samsung utilities package. I can only imagine what idiocy would have ensued, as fortunately i had autostart disabled and i immediately formatted them to get rid of the intrusive stuff. (And also regained about 300MB space that way!)

Come to think of it, i guess that does qualify as malfeasance.

But, honestly, what finally got me to shut it off years ago was that even though i already always have a nice big full screen explorer window open set up the way i like it with the directories & drives i want displayed in detail view, every time i stuck in a card or a key or a disc Windows would pop open a tiny little useless explorer window or a menu box asking what i'd like to do that i'd just have to waste time closing anyway. Utterly unhelpful. So i've been autostart-free for many years before the malfeasance aspect of it became prevalent.

Randy Brown wrote on 8/18/2011, 5:24 AM

Not to hijack but I too have a client wanting to distribute a 7 minute project I made on a USB stick.
First question is, how does one make a video auto-start (I think they would appreciate that option) and secondly, is there a vendor anyone could suggest using for bulk 4GB sticks?
Also Kelly, would "utilities package" be the term to use when requesting that they not install?
Thanks very much,
Randy

Chienworks wrote on 8/18/2011, 7:43 AM

Randy,

It's probably not going to be an option. The ones you order will either have something or they won't, and the sales people you talk to probably won't know. You could ask if they are completely blank or if there's something already included on them, but you'll probably just get back "huh?" for an answer.

Best practice is to format them all when you're copying the video files to them. Just keep the Format Drive dialog box open on the screen and it only takes a couple seconds to click it after you insert each one.

On the other hand, should you get some with some sort of auto-installing software on them, take a look at the autorun.ini file to see what they've got set up. You can probably edit that file to launch your video and include it. You may want to include some generic player as well that you know can handle your video format in case the recipient's computer doesn't have a compatible player. I'm not sure if there's some way to differentiate between the host computer being Windows or MacOS, but it seems like there should be.

musicvid10 wrote on 8/18/2011, 8:37 AM

Be sure to try some samples before buying into a lot of bulk thumb drives. Try them on different OS and with various types of content.

Often they are sold "bulk" because they have minor problems, construction issues, a high failure rate, or are just plain slow.

Compare your samples to known good brands first so you know all the potential issues before committing.

Randy Brown wrote on 8/18/2011, 9:10 AM

Very much appreciated guys!

Red Prince wrote on 8/18/2011, 1:21 PM

s there a vendor anyone could suggest using for bulk 4GB sticks?

I know DiscMakers has bulk sticks in many sizes, including 4 GB. I have never bought them (though I buy blank DVDs from them), so I cannot comment on how good they are.

John_Cline wrote on 8/18/2011, 1:59 PM

Autorun.inf support for USB drives has been removed in Windows 7. It will still work with CDs and DVDs, but not USB drives.