| 1. |
When I insert my U3 smart drive I receive an error message and
the Launchpad does not run. |
If you receive a Windows error dialog that references a "corrupt file system," note whether
the error indicates the drive on which the corrupt file exists, e.g., (E:), (F:) , (G:). If the
message states the corrupt system file is on the smart drive, proceed with an error-checking
diagnostic. To do this:
- Right click on the smart drive letter.
- Click on Properties.
- Click on the Tools tab.
- Under the Error-checking section, click on the Check Now button.
- Check both disk checking options and click Start.
- Click OK after disk check is complete.
- Click OK on the Removable Properties window.
Go back to the drive letter marked U3 or CD Drive and double click on it. If the Launchpad
icon appears in the bottom right hand corner of the system tray, the problem is resolved.
If this does not correct the problem, it may be necessary to reformat the drive.
If you get a different error message, refer to this knowledge base article for more information and troubleshooting tips. |
| [ top of section ] |
| 2. |
I have found that sometimes when I have a DVD in my
PC the Launchpad starts really slowly. Why? |
When inserting a U3 smart drive, the U3 system services search all of the removable CD/DVD drives on the
laptop/desktop. If the user's computer has a bad CD or DVD present in the CD/DVD drive that the drive finds
very difficult to read, the drive replies very slowly to questions asked by the U3 system services.
This problem might cause the Launchpad to start very slowly, since it can take over 20 seconds for U3
system services to get a response from the optical drive. In the worst case, the Launchpad may not run at
all, in which case the user will get a device connect error. If this is happening on your PC, removing the
bad disk should fix the problem. |
| [ top of section ] |
| 3. |
How do I access a U3 smart drive on a public PC or kiosk
that has the application bar and system tray disabled. |
If the U3 Launchpad installed on your drive is version 1.2 or higher, you can
access the U3 Launchpad and the applicaitons installed on your smart drive as follows: 1) Open Windows Explorer and
navigate to the U3 smart drive; 2) Double-click on LaunchU3.exe.
Older versions of the Launchpad do not have this feature. If you use your U3 smart drive on systems where the Application Bar
is disabled and have an older version of the U3 Launchpad, it is recommended that you update to the latest U3 Launchpad. Click here to learn how to check for updates to the U3 Launchpad.
|
| [ top of section ] |
| 4. |
When I insert my smart drive in my computer, I can access
the mass storage area, but I can't find anything that looks like
the U3 Launchpad. |
First, verify that you have purchased a U3 smart drive. Look for the U3 logo on the
packaging and/or on the smart drive itself. If you do not find the logo either on
the packaging or on the drive itself, chances are you have not purchased a U3 smart drive.
If you no longer have the packaging, and the logo does not appear on the drive, insert the
drive in the computer. If the Launchpad does not appear, and no U3 icon appears in the bottom
right hand corner of your computer screen, open a Windows Explorer window and verify there
are two drive letters, one for the removable drive and one for the CD drive. Example:
(E:) and (F:) or (G:) and (H:) If you have two drive letters, you have purchased a U3
smart drive. Click on the LaunchU3.exe file. The Launchpad should appear.
If you do not have two drive letters, you may either have mistakenly purchased a standard
USB flash drive, or there may be a problem with the smart drive. Click
here for further instructions. |
| [ top of section ] |
| 5. |
I want to re-install the U3 Launchpad on my smart drive |
If you have a SanDisk U3 smart drive, click here to download
and reinstall the U3 Launchpad on your drive.
If you have a U3 smart drive from another flash drive manufacturer check with U3 support or the U3 smart drive manufacturer support on how to re-install the U3 Launchpad. |
| [ top of section ] |
| 6. |
Why does the Launchpad sometimes hang after I insert my password-protected U3 smart drive? |
There is a conflict between U3 Devices with password protection enabled and some hard disk
encryption software. This was reported by a customer using a Kingston device and Encryption
Plus Hard Disk from Guardian Edge Software and verified by U3 QA. On systems that have an
encrypted hard disk, the Launchpad will hang at the splash screen when password protection
is enabled. The only known workaround is to disable the password protection, after which the
device will work normally. |
| [ top of section ] |
| 7. |
When I put the U3 device in my computer's USB port, Windows says something about installing necessary software, and then tells me to reboot! I thought U3 drives didn't install stuff on the host computer. What gives? |
These messages from Windows are misleading. Windows is not installing any new software, it is merely activating a built-in "generic USB storage" driver. It is in fact not necessary to reboot at all. You can start using your U3 smart drive right away. |
| [ top of section ] |
| 8. |
I removed my U3 smart drive without clicking on the Eject button first.
Can this damage my smart drive or affect its functionality? |
Yes. Failure to safely eject the drive by clicking on the Eject button before removing
it may permanently damage it. Although this occurs less frequently on computers running
Windows XP, it can still occur, and is particularly risky on a Window 2000 or older
Windows operating system. Note that this problem is not inherent to U3 smart drives
only, but to all USB flash drives ( http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10166_7-6444662-1.html)
After you click the Eject button on a U3 smart drive, it is important to wait for the
U3 icon to disappear in the lower right hand corner of your computer screen before removing
the drive from the computer.
If your smart drive continues to work even after you have unsafely ejected it from your
computer, remember next time to:
- Click the Eject button
- Wait for the U3 icon in the bottom right hand corner of your computer screen to
disappear.
If you click the Eject button, receive an error message stating that certain programs are
still running and asking you if you would still like to remove the drive, click No and try
clicking the Eject button again. If you continue to receive an error message, make sure that you have closed all files
and programs open from the U3 smart drive.
If your computer no longer reads the U3 smart drive at all after unsafely removing it,
you may have to replace it with a new one. |
| [ top of section ] |
| 1. |
How do I get technical support for my U3 software applications? |
If you are having problems with a particular software program, please contact directly the U3
software provider. You can access their website through the Launchpad: simply open the U3
Launchpad, click on Manage U3 programs and select the U3 smart program. There you will find a
link to their customer support center. Alternatively, visit their website for customer support
information. |
| [ top of section ] |
| 2. |
Who do I contact if I have questions about software I downloaded
from the U3 Software Central website? |
AskNet manages U3 Software Central. If you have purchased a software product and need assistance
with your order, please include your Order Number as well as the email address you provided when
the order was placed so that your order can be located quickly.
For customers from North America:
E-mail: 
Telephone: 425-526-5344
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 am (EST) to 6 pm (PST)
For customers from outside of North America:
E-mail:
Telephone: +49 (0)721 96458 8092
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm (MET)
Fax: +49 (0)721 96458 8003
|
| [ top of section ] |
| 3. |
How do I install U3 applications on my smart drive? |
There are three ways to download programs to your U3 smart drive:
- Click on the Download Programs button on the U3 Launchpad. You must be connected to the Internet
- From the U3 Launchpad, click on Add Programs, then click on U3 Software Central (your smart drive
manufacturer may also provide a link to its website)
- If you have saved a U3 smart application on your host computer (the file ends in .u3p), open the
U3 Launchpad, click on Add Programs, then click on Install from My Computer. It is important to note
where on your computer you have saved the .u3p file.
|
| [ top of section ] |
| 4. |
How do I recommend a software application for the U3
smart drive? |
If there's an application you would like to see U3 enabled, we encourage you to contact the software
developer directly and let them know about it. Also, please feel free to fill our survey form and recommend
applications there. Please check back at U3 Software Central from time to time to see what's available,
or sign up for our newsletter for regular updates on new software applications for the U3 platform. |
| [ top of section ] |
| 5. |
How do I make U3 software applications automatically run
when I plug the drive into my computer? |
- Open the U3 Launchpad
- Click on Manage U3 Programs
- Select the software application you would like to automatically start up
- Check the box marked Start on Insertion
Note: Uncheck the Start on Insertion box to prevent the program from automatically starting up when
the drive is inserted in the computer.
|
| [ top of section ] |
| 6. |
Can I run Microsoft Outlook from my U3 drive? |
Microsoft Outlook has not yet been made U3 smart. U3 encourages users to contact software
vendors directly to request that their favorite applications be made U3 smart. To make
such a suggestion to Microsoft, follow this link and add your vote. |
| [ top of section ] |
| 7. |
Is Microsoft Office® available for the U3 smart drive? |
Microsoft Office® is currently not available for the U3 platform. We invite you to contact directly
any software developer with product requests to support the U3 platform.
For word processing, spreadsheets and presentations check out the OpenOffice application, which
is free of charge and available on the U3 Software Central website. Other applications, such as
ThinkFree Office, are also available for purchase. |
| [ top of section ] |
| 8. |
Is Quicken® by Intuit available for the U3 smart drive? |
Quicken by Intuit is currently not available for the U3 platform. We invite you to contact directly
any software developer with product requests to support the U3 platform. |
| [ top of section ] |
| 9. |
Why isn't all Open Source Portable OpenOffice software
U3 compatible? |
U3-compliant applications must be launched from the U3 Launchpad, and must pass testing criteria
established under the U3 software certification program. This process ensures stability and portability
for the U3 platform. We invite you to contact directly any software developer with product requests to
support the U3 platform. |
| [ top of section ] |
| 1. |
How can I protect the applications and the user data on a
U3 smart drive? |
Most U3 smart drive models include password protection feature. Once you
invoke the password protection for the U3 smart drive, no one can see the mass storage area until a
proper password is entered. This also refers to accessing the drive itself. The files cannot be seen
without entering the password correctly.
If your smart drive does not include a bundled password protection application, check for updates to the U3 Launchpad.
If your flash drive manufacturer ships a version of the U3 Launchpad without password protection, there are a number of data
encryption applications on U3 Software Central that you can install on your U3 smart drive to protect your data. |
| [ top of section ] |
| 2. |
I enabled password protection on my U3 smart drive, but
forgot my password. How do I access my data? |
Unfortunately, there is no way to access your user data and applications on the smart drive without the
password.
If you set a hint when you enabled the password protection, click Hint in the log in window to display the hint you entered. If you did not
set a hint or still can not remember your password you will have to reformat the drive. During this operation all files and applications on it will be lost.
It is recommended to keep a backup of all the data on your smart drive on your personal PC for safe keeping. |
| [ top of section ] |
| 3. |
Does anti-virus software for U3 just scan the U3 smart
drive, or does it also scan the computer? |
The anti-virus software currently available on the U3 Software Central website provides you with the option
of scanning both your U3 smart drive as well as your host computer. |
| [ top of section ] |
