USB Flash Drives PCB, COB, UDP
This is a USB stick using the PCB method:
USB Printed Circuit Board
This is a USB stick using the COB method:
USB Chip On Disk
This is a USB stick using the UDP method:
USB Disk in Package
How To: Make a USB Read Only
There are two ways to make a USB stick read only. One method will make the USB read-only in anything it is connected to, so you could say this is a universal way of making a flash drive write protected.
The other way is a PC specific solution where some registry edits are required to any computer the USB flash drive is connected to.
When we say 100% permanent, this means the USB stick is read only (write protected) on all devices, whether it be computers like a Mac, Windows PC, Linux box or non-processor based products like a car stereo. This permanent solution also means the status of the drive cannot be changed. The other method flags a USB device to be read only in relationship to the PC it is connected to so that whenever that USB stick is connected to that computer, it makes the USB read only and blocks all write commands to the device.
Most times an IT manager or content owner wants the USB stick to be read only so the files cannot be deleted or formatted off the drive. Another reason for making a USB read only is for the original files to remain the same and blocks the ability for files to be changed or manipulated. Finally, it’s smart to have USBs read only so that virus’ don’t jump onto the drive and possibly spread to other computers.
Let us start with the less permanent way because it’s easier to do and doesn’t require any specific hardware.You will need a Windows7 machine or higher. The Windows7 machine will have DiskPart utility which allows us to perform all sorts of cool things to flash drives, like setting write protection.
- Connect the USB to your Windows computer.
- To begin, go to your Windows Start and in the Search Field type cmd
This will run your Command prompt.
- Next, you will want to get to the C root of the Command prompt and if you are signed in as a user you can simply type cd\ this will get you back to the root of the C drive.
- Type DISKPART
- Type LIST DISK
Now you will need to find the USB stick connected to your PC. Most likely it’s DISK 1
CF Duplicator by Nexcopy, Press Release
PRESS RELEASE:
LAKE FOREST, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nexcopy Inc., a leading manufacturer in USB Duplicator solutions, announces their all new CF Duplicator system for data loading to Compact Flash cards.
- CF Duplicator with all new design
- Deep CF sockets with guides for easy insert and removal
- CF Duplicator available in 15, 30 and 45 target systems
- Powerful duplicator software with many advanced features
- Unique data may be copied to each card
Review: Nexcopy 3.0 USB Duplicator
Review: Nexcopy 3.0 USB Duplicator
EverythingUSB posted a review of the Nexcopy 3.0 USB Duplicator with a bunch of “thumbs up” marks. Lets take a closer look.
As far as USB duplicators go, the Nexcopy SSUSB160PC is actually pretty stylish. Its form certainly flows from its function, but Nexcopy has made it to look in a German engineered car sort of way. Because of this form from function design, it is rather rectangular with flat boxy sides. However, Nexcopy did add in some flare where they could. For example, having the top slope downwards from back to front does give it a more aggressive styling. This dash of styling does makes it even more functional as sticking in the 16 flash drives into the 16 USB 3.0 ports on that self same top is actually easier when they are slightly offset in the vertical plane. It’s also a lot easier to check all 32 status lights for the 16 ports (red for bad, green for good).
Where the Nexcopy USB 3.0 duplicator is a serious tool meant for serious work, there is no plastic fascia to be found anywhere. It is made from metal and metal only. Once again, Nexcopy did manage to sneak in some pizazz by having the front’s company logo be CnC’ed milled out. This allows air to be sucked in from the front (as well as the sides through copious amounts of air holes), flow over the internals and then be exhausted out the back of the case via the rear fan. This is a great example of form and function done properly.
I first made an image file of my minted Windows 7 64-bit installation flash drive using the included basic software. (As a note, professional version or upgraded version of the software includes the ability to write protect drives, partition drives or set them as USB CD-ROM devices.) When that was completed, I setup a new batch job; pointed the software at the location of the newly created .IMG file on my hard drive; and then took
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USB Egg-Bot CNC Art Robot
The Eggbot is an open-source art robot that can draw on spherical or egg-shaped objects from the size of a ping pong ball to that of a small grapefruit. The Eggbot is super adjustable, and is designed to draw on all kinds of things that are normally “impossible” to print on. Not just eggs but ping pong balls, light bulbs, mini pumpkins, and even things like wine glasses. The egg-bot is ideal for Easter and a fun way for kids to make elaborate designs on their eggs. The egg-bot is recommended for ages 10 and up with parent supervision at 13 and under. In the photos, you can see just a few of the things you can do with eggs.
The Eggbot chassis is made of tough fiberglass, with integrated heat sinks for the included motors. The pen and egg motors are high-torque precision stepping motors, and the pen lift mechanism is a quiet and reliable servo motor.
The Eggbot kit is easy to assemble in a couple of hours, and only requires a couple of basic tools like miniature Phillips-head and flathead screwdrivers. You’ll also need a computer with an available USB port (Mac, Windows or Linux).
The EBB allows your computer to directly control the stepper and servo motors. The onboard 16X microstepping driver chips along with the 200 step/revolution stepper motors give a combined resolution of
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Review: USB Scrub Cleans Your Registry Of Old USB Sticks
UPDATE: USB Scrub by Nexcopy now supports Win7 32/64bit
Did you know Windows will make over 260 registry entries with a single enumeration of a USB stick? This means for those with multiple flash drives your registry will get extremely cluttered and bogged down.
With flash drives dirt cheap these days, you’ll find at least a couple dozen going into your computer through the year. That would be over 6,240 registry entries.
USB Scrub is a free utility which performs a deep cleaning of those unused drivers and registry edits.
We gave USB Scrub a try, and it worked great. We went from enumerating a single USB stick in 45 seconds to enumerating that stick in less that 12 seconds.
In addition, if you have a USB stick that doesn’t perform correctly or the Windows OS doesn’t see it, chances are the USB Scrub will clear up those problems and your drive will work once again. This is because a registry entry can become corrupt and simply clearing it out will resolve your issue.
So lets take a closer look.
Using RegShot [a free application which takes a snap shot before and after an event and compares only the changed registry values] I took a snap shot before and after a USB stick was connected and ejected. The result was this:
- 78 Registry Keys where created
- 183 Registry Values where added
- 261 Registry edits in total!
Here is a snap shop. Click the image to get the full text file.
Continue ReadingUSB Duplicator Movie Trailer – Say What?
If Nexcopy where to make a movie about USB duplicators and data loading USB flash drives, this would be the movie trailer to draw in attention. Clearly, it would be ‘the most boring’ movie in the world, but I’ll have to admit the movie trailer is quite impressive given the mundane product. Nexcopy did a good job of putting a unique spin on their product announcement for the new 40 and 60 port USB duplicators via a movie trailer. The 1 minute video gives you just enough information to peak your interest, yet doesn’t bore you enough to click away. The high definition version is posted on youtube, but you’ll get the point from this: Click to learn more about the Nexcopy USB duplicator and SD duplicator solutions and their all new 40 and 60 port solutions. Source: Zedomax. Continue ReadingStandalone 35mm Slide Scanner
I have mentioned other 35mm Slide Scanners, but today I found one which is 100% standalone, no PC required! This standalone 35mm Slide Scanner allows even the most technologically challenged person easily scan old 35mm slides into digital archives.
Review: Adesso Wireless USB Trackball Keyboard
Review: Adesso Wireless USB Trackball Keyboard
Don’t you hate it when you buy a new gadget and don’t have the batteries it needs? This new keyboard from Adesso avoids that let down. Batteries ARE included. No more scrounging around for those AA Batteries that you need just to get this keyboard to work
Review: 16GB USB Drives – What’s Worth Your $$$
Review of 16GB Flash Drives
Our friends at Test Freaks gathered up 17 different 16GB drives and did some hands on benchmark and testing. First off, props goes out to Mr. Brozio for convincing all the manufacturers to give up free 16GB drives. Second, I give him kudos for the in-depth analysis and benchmarking test. Well done. The 16GB USB review includes the following drives:- Adata Sport Series RB19 16gb
- Corsair Flash Voyager
- HP USB Flash Drive v125W
- Imation Swivel Flash Drive
- Kingston Data Traveler100
- Kingston DataTraveler HyperX
- Memorex Traveldrive
- OCZ Diesel
- OCZ Throttle
- Patriot Exporter XT
- PNY Attache
- PQI Traveling Disk 1221
- Ridata EZdrive Lightning Series
- Sandisk Cruzer Micro
- Super Talent Pico-C
- Transcend JetFlash Elite Enabled
- Verbatim Store ‘n’ Go
If I’m looking for a USB drive, the first thing I look at is the Copy To or Write speeds, this is what is most important to me, the next thing would be the Copy From speeds, as for me what I do most is put data on it, then take it off, reading from the drive is not that important to me really. So it all depends on what your priorities are concerning USB drives, the results are here, you can judge for yourself which is best for you.For the full 16GB USB Drive review please visit Test Freaks webpage. Continue Reading
Review: Telescope Lens for 3G iPhone
Review: Telescope Lens for 3G iPhone
I was so excited to get the new telescope lens for the 3G iPhone, but at the same time, apprehensive that it would be a gimmick. I was thrilled to find out the telescope lens actually worked! The case used to mount the lens also snaps On and Off quite easily.
Review: 4 Port USB Car Charger Adapter
Review: 4 Port USB Car Charger Adapter
I love this thing…It’s exactly what I wanted. I did not want to purchase a different charger for every device I have and my bluetooth speakerphone adapter and both cell phones are all charged via USB cable so now I can charge all three of them through the USBFever 4 port USB car charger and adapter.