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osiris · Jul 26, 2007, 08:56 AM

I've been dealing with this annoyance for some time:

Every flash drive I buy has this U3 partition that OS X can't erase/reformat.

It annoys me to no end, as that is my space that I want back. Not to mention having two volumes mounting everytime I use it. A general google revealed lots of useless info and no solutions, so I figured I try here.

Anyone have any tips on getting rid of this PC annoyance?
Thanks!

ghporter · Jul 26, 2007, 11:05 AM

Look here for a Windows app that removes the "U3 Launchpad" and gives you back that space. Hopefully you have access to a Windows machine to use to get this done...

osiris · Jul 26, 2007, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by ghporter

Look here for a Windows app that removes the "U3 Launchpad" and gives you back that space. Hopefully you have access to a Windows machine to use to get this done...

Thanks, I guess I have to get to a PC. I don't have one.

ghporter · Jul 26, 2007, 11:14 AM

Statistically speaking, you almost certainly know someone who'll let you use their Windows machine for five minutes. Ask around.

I've posted a support request at the U3 web site asking whether they're ever going to offer a Mac uninstaller. I'll post what they have to say.

Frankly the whole U3 thing escapes me. There are "portable" apps that do everything the U3 apps do, without mounting some stupid "launchpad" to start them, and many of them are available for a number of platforms too. With a 4GB flash drive and these portable apps, I could be quite independent of almost all fixed computers or platform selections.

shifuimam · Jul 26, 2007, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by osiris

Every flash drive I buy has this U3 partition that OS X can't erase/reformat.

I am curious: how do you manage to keep buying U3 flash drives? There are loads of manufacturers and models of flash drives on the market; only a small subset of them are designed for U3 applications.

-Q- · Jul 26, 2007, 01:05 PM

Ah, been meaning to do a search to find out how to get rid of this thing. Thanks for reading my mind.

ghporter · Jul 26, 2007, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by shifuimam

I am curious: how do you manage to keep buying U3 flash drives? There are loads of manufacturers and models of flash drives on the market; only a small subset of them are designed for U3 applications.

Does every store that sells flash drives carry every make and model? There are plenty of places where it's big business to push "the newest thing." That often means not even shelving other products. Cut him some slack, ok?

shifuimam · Jul 26, 2007, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by ghporter

Does every store that sells flash drives carry every make and model? There are plenty of places where it's big business to push "the newest thing." That often means not even shelving other products. Cut him some slack, ok?

I wasn't attacking him. All I'm saying is that you have to really try in order to get flash drives that are all U3-enabled. U3 costs more. It's a small subset of the market. Anywhere (from Wal-Mart to Fry's to overpriced local shops) is going to have at least regular flash drives - U3 would be what I wouldn't expect to find in every store that carries flash drives.

I just found it interesting that the OP had exclusively bought U3-enabled drives, when he appeared to never have intended to do so.

Sorry.

greene_hornette · Jul 26, 2007, 10:06 PM

My take is this: If you buy something that has features you are unaware of because you did not pay attention to the product label or did not read the user manual, you really have no right to complain about it.

osiris · Jul 27, 2007, 07:56 AM

Originally Posted by shifuimam

I am curious: how do you manage to keep buying U3 flash drives? There are loads of manufacturers and models of flash drives on the market; only a small subset of them are designed for U3 applications.

Good question - my company buys these en masse, so I didn't have a choice.

osiris · Jul 27, 2007, 07:57 AM

Originally Posted by greene_hornette

My take is this: If you buy something that has features you are unaware of because you did not pay attention to the product label or did not read the user manual, you really have no right to complain about it.

Kiss my ass nooooob. I had no choice.

osiris · Jul 27, 2007, 08:01 AM

So the PC utility works. Make sure you backup your data, cause it will erase the entire drive.

I installed Dasboot, and now have a decent bootable drive that mounts ONE volume. Yeah!!

osiris · Jul 27, 2007, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by -Q-

Ah, been meaning to do a search to find out how to get rid of this thing. Thanks for reading my mind.

Every searched yielded a PC solution, it's quite sad.

I'm surprised Disk Utility couldn't erase it, but I know nothing of this U3.
I wonder how U2 feels about this.

greene_hornette · Aug 4, 2007, 11:36 PM

Originally Posted by osiris

Kiss my ass nooooob. I had no choice.

Dream on, geek boy! You are sooooo clueless.......

* your asinine juvenile insult/post has been reported - don't be such a jackass!

Cadaver · Aug 6, 2007, 07:43 AM

2 weeks ago, Best Buy had 4GB SanDisk Cruzer Micros for $39. Very good deal. Included the stupid U3 software. Fortunately I also have a PC to remove it.