More and more people are leaning more on the use of USB flash drive as their handy “filing cabinet”. Aside from being the more convenient option to carrying a bulk of important files and documents in a pen like device, it is also very much customisable and flexible to its owner’s data storage and security preferences.

As it is small and lightweight, it can be fitted almost everywhere, compared to carrying stacks of CDs, carrying a pen-like storage device is the more appealing option to carrying data, media and other forms of digital files.

Even big companies are now promoting the wide use of USB flash drive among their employees. This goes to show that the use flash drives have gone far from being an accessory; it has become a necessity to all computer applications.

USB flash drives are so easy and convenient to use, however, to fully enjoy its features, you will need to manipulate some of its default settings first.

For instance, if you want to immediately open or access the contents of this external hard drive, you may set an Auto run feature. This way, all your files will immediately be available the instant that you insert your USB flash disk into the USB drive. The Auto run technology is readily available for Windows software, enabling the user to start a particular program or open a particular document instantly.

But does this technology accommodate USB flash disk applications? Absolutely yes!

Whenever you insert your USB memory stick in a computer, you will notice that a dialog box appears immediately after the computer establishes connection with the external hard drive. This is the same dialog box that you see when you insert a CD or DVD in the CD slot of your computer. To prevent interrupting your tasks in having to deal with this dialog box whenever you insert the memory stick, you can turn on the Auto run mode of your USB. But if you want to have those features applied only on selected documents, it can actually be done. There is a new command that designated Auto run program turning an ordinary file into an Autorun.inf file. The command used is “ACTION”, which is displayed in the AutoPlay dialog box. There will be a text row that indicated open command for all Autorun.inf files. All the user needs to do is press the Enter Key or “ok” option to launch the program specified by the “OPEN” command.

Many people will find this application useful for it saves them time to do their task. For those who are doing rush work, they can immediately have their files organised or saved by eliminating the constant nuisance of dealing with the dialog box options whenever the USB memory stick is inserted.

Since the Auto Run technology works much like a shortcut to accessing and opening specific documents or media files from one central location. In this manner, there will be no need for minutes of searching for your needed files. The tricky part of this USB memory stick feature is the manner on which anybody actuates automatic file opening operations whenever the USB memory stick is inserted. What’s presented here is just one of the methods of automatically running the Auto Run technology incorporated in USB memory sticks. This procedure may or may not be effective, but thankfully, a number of forums are now welcoming USB applications inquiry, enlightening USB users of their troubleshooting concerns.

By: Derek Rogers

Technorati Tags: cool usb flash drives, cute usb flash drives, flash drive usb, flash usb drive review, funny usb flash drives, usb flash drives

Flash memory, flash drive, pen drive and memory drive are just some of the names that are used to refer to USB flash drive. It is a compact device that was developed to be a secure and safe data transfer as well as data storage gadget. While this travel data storage device may seem to be perfect, it is still possible that it might corrupt your data. Just like in any other technology, a USB flash drive is also prone to technical problems that often lead to the corruption or loss of data. Assuming that its hardware is undamaged, doing a re-format can solve USB problems.

USB formatting is as easy as A-B-C!

First, you have to right click on the removable drive corresponding to where the USB was inserted, and then click on the “format” option. Or you can try using the file system drop down, where options “FAT and FAT32″ are available. Choose the FAT option, it will reveal format utilities, then click on the “Quick format” option then press on “start” to initiate format operations. This way, all the data that the USB contains will be deleted, but the errors will hopefully be gone. Usually, errors or malfunction occurs during file transfers or data storage. For simple drive errors, scanning and re-formatting can work. In this manner, all the bad sectors of the USB will work like new.

When formatting does not solve your USB problems, you can make use of an alternate method. For more complicated USB problems, you will need to check the bios first to determine the actual problem. Before doing that, it is advised that you backup all the files from your hard drive to another hard drive, CD or DVD, and then turn off your computer. Insert your problematic USB on the drive port and turn on the computer. When the system bios are prompted, immediately press the F8 key. For some computers, it is the delete key or F2 key that initiate bios checking and take note of the operators that are listed on the screen. Using the cursor keys, navigate the bios and boot the CD drive first, save and then exit. Insert your operating system restore disk, save and restart. Simply follow the cue that initiates installation of your operating system. When the USB disk appears on the list of which drive format comes, then your USB is in the clear.

Depending on the options, you must opt out the re-installation of the operating system at this point. If it is still running, simply quit and leave the other drives alone. Try to reset the computer to boot from the disk instead of the CD drive as before. If your USB flash drive is already usable, it must now be detected in windows. If you fail to do this operating system re-installation, then just continue following the installation instructions. However, never try to install the operating system onto the USB disk drive.

Before going over your USB problems and trying out some troubleshooting tricks, have all your files backed up first, this task is something that must not be taken lightly. Although formatting seems easy, it is a lengthy process that needs to be done by somebody who fully understands the application. If everything else fails, get hold of your USB’s warranty so you can get it fixed from customer support.

By: Derek Rogers

Technorati Tags: broken usb, usb flash drive repair

There’s nothing more profitable for a business than reminding others what your business is about. Marketing is all about reminding people about your existence in a pleasant and useful manner, about finding unique tactics for promoting your business. Usb sticks are among the newest promotional items, items which provide people a new way of using technology and of storing information.

Nowadays, promotional usb sticks are great for defining your business and the best part is that you won’t need extra marketing materials. The first advantage of the usb sticks is the outside logo and name that can be imprinted on it, helping individuals see the name of your company every time they use the stick. Furthermore, most sticks have an additional layer in which one can see information about the company on a different level. This layer includes the name, logo and other relevant pieces of information.

Thus, besides using promotional usb sticks in the interior area, managers will also have the opportunity of add more options that relate to their business. This includes detailed information that will offer people pertinent concepts which relate to that company in a different format. Regardless of the added information, the extra capabilities of the promotional usb sticks will be able to keep certain information such as an engraving which cannot be erased and which is made in the inside area of the stick.

If you are looking for a different way of promoting your business, promotional usb sticks are an easy way of making sure you get the most of marketing. Today, usb sticks have the capacity to store information and at the same time they have the ability of staying in fashion. Using usb for promotion is based on the overall capacities of this device and on the way in which they can be used by individuals who are working with technology.

The usb for promotion is designed to hold large amounts of information in all formats, enabling the continuous use of sticks as storage tools. Combining this with customized usb sticks will offer you the chance of reminding existing and potential customers of your business. Furthermore, usb is becoming the best known way of defining your business continuously and usb for promotion can be a great way of making your company’s name known in a user-friendly manner.

Usb sticks are far more reliable than floppy disks, having a better capacity and a higher transfer rate, being the best way to transport information between computers. Besides being a convenient storage solution, usb sticks are recognized universally, being compatible with most operating systems. The prices for usb for promotion vary significantly according to the memory capacity, design and finish. However, the choice of the buyer depends on the target market and on the marketing objective, but most sticks are ideal for personalization.

The newest stick version is the multi-functional usb stick, which is more versatile. Not only does it store data but it also incorporates other useful functions such as LED torch, keyring or mouse. Being innovative and contemporary, customized usb devices are long lasting and practical, fitting perfectly in this age of technology.

By: Ckint Jhonson

Technorati Tags: promotional products usb sticks, Promotional USB Memory Sticks

For the past ten years USB and FireWire have struggled to dominate the desktop interface market. Until five years ago, because of the relatively fast 400 Mbps offered by FireWire, USB, jokingly referred to as Ultra Slow Bandwidth, was relegated to low-bandwidth applications such as keyboards and mice. At the end of 2001, however, USB dealt a fatal blow to FireWire with the release of the new USB 2.0 standard offering a maximum speed of 480 Mbps, faster than the theoretical limit of FireWire (though, in practice, usually slower).

It seems that USB has essentially won the standards battle with FireWire because of its relative low-cost and high availability. The limitation of USB (both the 1.1 and 2.0 standards popular today) is the 16 foot limit. When you have more than 16 feet between your computer and your USB device you will see significant degradation in the signal that can cause problems ranging from slower transmission speeds to an entirely dropped connection. This causes problems for people who want to run a USB cable to a printer located in another room, to a presentation keyboard/mouse combo or any other USB device that may be in a remote location.

The cheapest (and arguably easiest) way to extend the distance to your USB device is by using a USB Active Extension Cable. These cables have built-in USB repeaters that actually boost the USB signal, allowing you to go further than the 16 foot maximum distance. The most common length for these cables is 16 feet and you can chain up to four of these together with no loss in signal. Assuming you are using the longest USB device cable available (also 16 feet), USB Active Extension Cables allow for a maximum distance of 80 feet between your computer and USB device. They are available in USB 1.1 (12 Mbps) and USB 2.0 (480 Mbps).

For most USB extensions 80 feet is long enough, but what if you need to go further? Super USB Extenders allow you to extend the distance to your USB devices up to 150 feet with no loss in signal. The Super USB Extender uses similar technology for the male and female interfaces, but rather than have a regular USB cable in the middle, it uses a Cat 5 cable (also known as a networking cable). The advantage of Super USB Extenders, other than the increased maximum distance, is the ability to create a custom length. If you need to go 63 feet, for example, you can simply use a Super USB Extender with a 63 foot Cat 5 Cable between the booster and receiver. Super USB Extenders are also available in USB 1.1 and 2.0 interfaces.

If you are looking for a connection beyond 150 feet, many manufacturers offer a special Super USB Extender capable of USB transfer with no signal loss at 330 feet, though this is limited to USB 1.1. Black Box has created a USB 1.1 extender capable of transmission up to 1000 feet without signal loss, perfect for connecting your computer to a security camera or webcam hundreds of feet away from your computer.

Another exciting innovation for USB extension technology is the pending release of Wireless USB. Wireless USB hubs and devices are anticipated to show up in early 2006 with maximum distances over 100 feet. Keep in mind that this is the first release and as the technology matures this distance limitation will inevitably be lifted in favor of much further distances.

By: Preston Wily

Technorati Tags: mini usb extension, usb aa extension, usb mouse extension

In case you’ve been stuck in a hole in a mountain for the last decade or so, you already know that a USB pen drive is a tiny storage device that you can attach to your computer to facilitate data transfer. The first time I saw a USB pen drive, I could not believe that a tiny, harmless looking thing could pack such a punch! It took me very little time to discover the full power of this small device.

The USB pen drive is not a luxury in these days of multitasking and flexible work environment. People are expected to hook up to a computer wherever they are and work at the data that blinks obligingly at them. So, it is the norm to leave portions of half-digested data on one computer only to finish the job in another computer. You couldn’t do that without transporting your data using a pen drive. So, the most pressing and widespread use of the USB pen drive is to transport sensitive data like personal documents, spreadsheet files, video, music and picture.

But this is just the most obvious use of this multipurpose device. You can use the USB pen drive as a great barrier against potential computer disaster. In case of an emergency, you can archive your files in the pen drive. The pen drive is also a useful means of transferring recovery and antivirus software to PCs that are infected with malicious viruses. If you’re in the networking field, USB pen drives are the best storage devices for information pertaining to configuration, troubleshooting and recovery. You may also use it to carry applications that need to run on the host even if the host does not have the application installed in it. The latest technology has produced media enabled USB pen drives with sound output so you can play Mp3s on them and a tiny LCD display that allows track browsing.

Features you need to look out for when you buy a USB pen drive:

*Good looks: These days, the pen drive is something of a fashion accessory. So you do not want to be caught with something that looks staid and boring.

*Technological edge: If you intend to use your USB pen drive extensively, you need a device that supports a number of useful features. Some examples include U3 technology, the ready boost feature, additional memory (if you need it) and lock system.

*Compatibility: Choose a pen drive that is compatible with your system. Most pen drives are compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux.

*Capacity: If you want to use your pen drive for storing video and audio, you would need a higher memory capacity. Choose a pen drive that has a capacity corresponding to your needs. Typically, pen drives can hold anywhere between 32 MB to 4 GB of data.

*Lock: If the data in your pen drive is sensitive, choose a model that supports password protection.

*Warranty: Before you buy, confirm the warranty and guarantee period of the device.

It is recommended that you buy your USB pen drive after extensive research. Compare features by reading reviews in technical forums and compare prices from different online stores. This will help you get the best deal for your money.

By: Orson Dixon

Technorati Tags: 2 usb pen, integral usb pen, mini usb pen drive

Heard about the new generation Business Card, it’s the new USB Business Cards. Great new features like pre-loaded Contact details, Images, Presentations and everything anyone need to have when one is with their prestigious clients.

USB Business card is basically a USB drive printed with your Business details and your information on the memory inside. A great slim wallet-sized highly promotional giveaway to any of your clients who are really important in your ongoing business. It’s just so innovative and technologically made that one will be so attentive reading your information not just like the old business card that people take and place it in a card holder. Even if someone places your card into the card holder, your card will be on the first position in the stack.

Some might think that this might be too costly or maybe it’s better to give a simple business card, but the response and the rewards that you are going to get is immense. The client comes to know that this time he’s dealing with a pro. It’s time to grab your prospects by the eyeballs and turn them into clients with powerful presentation in form of the new USB business card. This is an invaluable tool for any serious business irrelevant of its size and field. You no longer have to guess who read you last promotional mail shot or your proposal or any other such kind of things.

It’s an everlasting and the most innovative and also the most professional way to present yourself in front of your clients. Once you’ve done this the next thing is to get ready to accept the payments. It’s really that cool and offers a comprehensive way to achieve the required targets and goals for the expansion of your marketing strategies and a whole new way to promote your business to its new heights and dimensions. Because most of the previous methods of marketing are used by millions of others all over the world. Now where you stand among them is your decision for going hi-tech.

When meeting with a prospective client or networking going on with someone who’s worth the investment, hand them a USB Business card containing your portfolio, your resume, your contact details, a PowerPoint presentation demonstrating your qualifications, or anything else you think will go. The small investment will absolutely be worth the impact that you can see immediately into the eyes of your future client.

This small little investment will really make a difference as it is already highly in demand by those who have came across it. Only one glance and the person first take a look for what you have arrived. A bit costly than normal business cards but still worth every penny of their cost as one of my client got me noticed through one of these and our mutual business is still going on. I can assure you that having one of these can really aggrandise your business oppurtunities upto the maximum.

By: John Sern

Technorati Tags: custom business cards, unique business cards, usb buisness cards

SanDisk is one of the leading companies of the world in manufacturing, research, retail distribution, product design and consumer branding of the USB flash memory. The portfolio of SanDisk products include USB drives for enterprises and consumers, flash cards for digital camcorders, digital cameras and mobile phones, embedded memory used in solid state computer drives and mobile devices.

This flash drive has latest technology that blocks and prevents the entering of malware in the SanDisk flash drive even if the flash drive is utilized outside firewall.

McAfee Inc. is a security technology company. Headquarter of McAfee is in Santa Clara, California. McAfee offers proven and proactive services and solutions that secure and protect the networks and systems around the globe. McAfee has unmatched experience and expertise in security and therefore empowers public sector, businesses, service providers and home users with capability of preventing disruptions, blocking attacks, and continuously enhance and track their security.

McAfee and SanDisk have introduced SanDisk ‘Cruzer Enterprise’ USB drive that has McAfee anti-malware. It protects the corporate users of Universal serial bus drive from leaking of data. The SanDisk flash drive also has ‘McAfee Scan Engine’. This feature detects comprehensively and makes heuristic analysis of threats both that are unknown and known. This flash drive has latest technology that blocks and prevents the entering of malware in the SanDisk flash drive even if the flash drive is utilized outside firewall. SanDisk Cruzer is best and perfect solution for Information Technology departments and mobile workforce where top priority is the data security. It enables the users to access the data and yet be secured and protected fully. The addition of secure technology of McAfee has enabled the customer of SanDisk Cruzer flash drive to further extend and enhance their security measures for the mobile data storage.

The SanDisk Cruzer flash drive performs automated scan for malware and prevents the transferring of file to the secure flash drive after detection of infection on the host’s system. Malware is a program also known as ‘malicious software’ that introduces codes that are harmful (virus, Trojan, worm). The introduction of definition files of virus and scan engine prohibits the attachment of malware with the portable drive and therefore the internal host enterprise is protected from being infected. Every file that is copied or saved to the SanDisk USB drive is examined by the scan engine. As the mobile work force and new online threats are increasing, it is very much essential for the companies to take necessary precautions for the protection of the organization’s portable devices from virus, worms, malware.

Scan engine is tested for many years and is the basis of the anti-malware solutions by McAfee. The users of SanDisk Cruzer are completely protected and safe from malicious malware code. SanDisk flash drive protects the stored data with AES 256 bit hardware based encryption. So during the process of set-up, the users have to generate a password. The blend of password and encryption in case the drive is stolen or lost, creates extreme difficulties for the unauthorized person in accessing the information on the flash drive. Therefore, the company’s valuable and precious information can be kept safe from unauthorized and unofficial users. SanDisk flash drive is durable, reliable and has the advanced, latest and innovative technologies that facilitate and benefits its customers.

Reliable SanDisk Cruzer USB Flash Drive

McAfee and SanDisk have introduced SanDisk “Cruzer Enterprise” USB drive that has McAfee anti-malware. The SanDisk flash drive also has “McAfee Scan Engine”.

8GB SanDisk Cruzer Review

Brett Burney returns with a review of the well designed, low cost, high capacity SanDisk Cruzer Micro, which includes U3 technology that turns the flash drive into a portable computing environment.

By: Tape4backup

Technorati Tags: how do i use a sandisk cruzer mini, Sandisk Cruzer, sandisk cruzer micro 16 gb go specifications, scandisk download

The USB Record Player is one of those gadgets that have slowly had an increase in demand over recent years. This has been due to the interest in helping to bring back to life lots of those old 45s on Vinyl. Remember all those old classics that you collected since you were a teenager?

Well, time can stand still once again as these latest gadgets can make the whole process of converting your old vinyl music, from 33s, 45s and even 78s, as easy as 1 2 3. And the great thing about these gadgets is they don’t have to cost an arm and a leg either. With prices ranging from around 40 (or even cheaper) for the basic model to 400 for the professional models, which can even record straight to your iPod.

So what can these gadgets really do and what are the most popular and reliable ones available? For a start they really are a simple piece of equipment. All they contain are a turntable and a lead, which connects between the record play and the USB port on your computer (MAC and PC compatible). Hence why they are commonly referred to as the USB Record Player.

Plus, they also come with software that then allows you to convert the vinyl music to other digital formats such as the popular MP3 or even WAV. The software is also required to help clean up all the skips and bumps that you find on old vinyl records. So the quality of software provided and its ability to help ‘clean’ the older music is very important.

Because of the ‘plug and play’ nature of this gadget it isn’t necessary to install any additional software drivers. This also ensures its ease of use, even for first time users of anything technical. Simply put, all you need to do is power on the USB Record Player, put on one of your old records and then plug it into your computer where you can then start the software provided. Follow the on-screen instructions and start converting. Simple!

Of all the USB record players that you find the most popular is the ION. This also appears under the Numark label and it has a number of excellent USB turntables in the range. And the KAM is also very popular with 3 main models in its range. In fact one of the models is professional quality, which consists of two turntables and is widely used by DJs.

With the ION you can choose from the ITTUSB-05, which is, the Classic style player to the latest iPod Dock that can record straight to your iPod. And for something in between there is the ION Contemporary or iTTUSB-10.

Other turntables that do similar jobs are the Jam, Stageline and Lenco series. All offering pretty much the standard box full of bits and pieces along with the USB record player.

If you are looking to spend lots of time converting a lot of old records then it’s important to make sure and get the record player that can handle all the old RPMs i.e. 33, 45 and 78. Some don’t handle all, although there is software that you can buy that will also help if your particular USB record player is not up to the job.

So, get searching in the loft and pull all those old favourites and breathe some life back into the music again.

Garage band artist music lessons are awesome

It doesn’t have velocity support, but it can act as a MIDI source, and I have a MIDI to USB adapter that has been demonstrated to work correctly with GarageBand in the past, but the newer USB music keyboards are lighter and more …

Ayu takes digital music to the “Next Level”

Ayumi Hamasaki’s tenth original album, “NEXT LEVEL,” marks a new stage in the era of digital music. With the industry gradually shifting away from CDs, Hamasaki has decided to make the album available to fans on a USB flash drive.

USB Connection To Nokia 5800

I’ve got an Arcam Solo Mini and have just got a new phone – the nokia 5800 Xpress Music. I was hoping to use it as a ‘USB.

By: Paul Hockney

Technorati Tags: 10 mp3 player, cheap usb flash drives, fun usb flash memory drives, USB Music Player, usb music recording

Here you will find helpful reviews, informative information and tips and much more. This site is in the format of a ‘weblog’ so that each time I post new information, it will come to the top of the front page. This means that you can check back here frequently to see new updates to the information found here.

You can navigate through the site by using the menus on the sides of the page. Also don’t hesitate to follow the links you see in bold throughout each post to learn more about the product being spoken about.

I hope you find the information I provide valuable and helpful.

All the best,
Wilson =]

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Please contact me at  contact@usb800.com!

I will reply to all messages as soon as possible.
Wilson =]

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