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U3 CDROM partition use

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charlec
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U3 CDROM partition use

Hi all

I've got a U3 drive and have replaced the standard CDROM image with a autorun.inf file that runs a little program I wrote that calls a startup.bat file on the normal partition. This way I can autostart portable apps menu or anything else I want. Normally I just have it to start EPIM Pro Portable.

What else could I do with the extra space in the first partition? and what do you think is the best way to implement a basic level of security to my data?

Thanks in advance!

nanobreaker
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Last seen: 12 years 3 months ago
Joined: 2005-12-09 23:02
that's neat

that's pretty cool. just to let you know though, there already exists an app for this App Launcher (replace old partition w/ the .iso). I've used it to autorun truecrypt and the PA menu on insert. The TC volume holds all my information-sensitive apps, but you could also hold important files in it as well.

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There are only 10 types of people in the world: Those who understand binary, and those who don't. - Anonymous

charlec
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Last seen: 16 years 6 months ago
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Thanks for that. I tried

Thanks for that. I tried the App Launcher (and liked it) you mention but wrote my own simpler version simply because I wanted too! I thought about autorunning truecrypt also but does that mean you end up with 3 drive letters for the u3 drive? (CDROM, "normal" partition, truecrypt drive?)

Is it possible to stop the 2nd partition from mounting (like u3 does) until a password is entered? I know that it isn't much security but it would do for me.

Thanks

nanobreaker
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I don't think so..

It's not possible because in my experience, TC mounts volumes that are inside the normal partition and doesn't encrypt the actual partition. I have checked the website, however, and it says that it can encrypt an entire flash drive. There would be some downsides to doing this. Suppose you are using a computer which doesn't have administrator access - TC will not be able to run and you'd be locked out of your flash drive.

3 drive letter's from one flash drive - quite funny when you think about it.

This is what I did with my flash drive:
I mounted my 75mb volume to Q:, saved it as a favorite volume, then used /a favorites argument in App Launcher to auto mount the volume. After I insert the flash drive I receive a dialog box demanding a password.

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There are only 10 types of people in the world: Those who understand binary, and those who don't. - Anonymous

charlec
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Last seen: 16 years 6 months ago
Joined: 2007-02-23 15:50
Thanks for your comments. I

Thanks for your comments. I have administrator access at work and home - am happy to only be able to access drive at those two places!

I've looked at lockngo which seems to work well apart from:

1: its not free or opensource
2: everytime you lock your drive you have to type your password in

So if anyone knows an open source application similar to lockngo please let me know.

How does the launchpad on the CDROM partition stop the "normal" partition from mounting? If we knew how that was achieved then I'm sure that someone could emulate it.

DanishCow
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Last seen: 16 years 7 months ago
Joined: 2006-04-22 14:36
Mmm

Looking for the exact same thing.

There should be a way, if the U3 can do it with it's own software then so can we Smile

Now we just need to wait for a 13 year old boy to solve it Blum

Dearly Regards DanishCow

DanishCow
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Last seen: 16 years 7 months ago
Joined: 2006-04-22 14:36
solution?

What if you made an autorun.inf with the iso file, made the autorun.inf run truecrypt from iso getting the screen about the pass for the drive. Now when you write the right password it unlocks the storrage drive and after that the program starts Applauncher from the iso drive with some sort of code like the one from the App lancher Autorun.inf

Open=.\applauncher.exe -a

Truecrypt is opensource so should be a way to get a little code inside that could make this happen.
I havent looked much on Truecrypt yet, and don't have the skill to code. Mayby theres a file in truecrypt that runs when the password is correctly writing and the incryptet drive unlocked.

Anyone agrees with this?

Im not sure if you need Truecrypt on the iso drive or if it places itself on the incryptet drive itself, iv not gotten that far.
But all in all.
1. Autorun.inf runs Truecrypt.
2. Truecrypt password screen appear.
3. password writing succesfully, uncrypt storage drive.
4. After Uncrypting it will run the code for Applauncher
5. App launcher launches the menu from storage drive.

Dearly Regards DanishCow

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