SanDisk Cruzer Micro 16 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive SDCZ6-016G-A11 by SanDisk
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List Price: Our Price: $38.95 You Save: $31.04 (44%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $22.98 (click here) Category: CE See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of SanDisk Cruzer Micro 16 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive SDCZ6-016G-A11
Digital camera Review: Best value on the market!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great product. Fits on my key chain and has more memory than most on the market currently. Works great. No complaints.Digital camera Review: Better Than others...
Summary: 4 Stars
This thumb drive is replacing my old Polaroid thumb drive, which broke due to cheap constuction.
This Cruzer has much better construction:
- stronger plastic compsite
- metal lanyard pin and ringlet
- USB seems to be of better quality than other brands.
To test it, I have loaded programs on to it and filled it to capcity without any data loss, corruption , or errors. Also it is very light, so it does not feel like I have pocket full of change or having coffee cup dangle from my neck. I have left it in my car a few times in the blazing heat with no malfunction or physical damage. This thumb drive is a great buy. I highly recommend this thumb drive.
Digital camera Review: Beware of U3
Summary: 3 Stars
Make sure you know what U3 is and if you really want it. I bought this drive is Sept because I wanted a drive that does not have a cap to lose. It got really annoying have two drives show up every time I plugged the unit it. I used the launchpad utility to uninstall the U3 stuff, but no luck. Went to the website to download an uninstaller, but no luck. For me it is just an unneeded complication and an annoyance. I have spent several hours trying to get rid of something I did not want and have been completely unsuccessful. Great drive other than that!Digital camera Review: Big space saver for little price
Summary: 5 Stars
I already had a 2G SanDisk cruser which I love and use frequently, but I was looking for a larger flash drive which I could attached to my SanDisk leash. Unfortunately, the newer models of SanDisk flash drives don't have little ring attachment, so you have to look hard for the cruzer which does have the ring. Works great! Great for transferring files, and always on hand.Digital camera Review: CAUTION - objectionable software installed on this dongle
Summary: 2 Stars
Have a seat and let me explain the software found installed on this dongle. Introducing the software protection software called U3 Launchpad. The quickest way to get more information is at
[search engine "Wikipedia U3 LLC"] - but let me highlight the important information in this article.
Scandisk report the following on its website "The U3 technology has reached end of life. SanDisk began phasing out support for U3 Technology in late 2009."
Translation:
This is vintage (2004) OLD technology.
A U3 flash drive presents itself to the host system as a USB hub with a CD drive and standard USB mass storage device attached.
* This configuration causes Windows disk management to show two drives:
1. A read-only ISO 9660 volume on an emulated CD-ROM drive with an autorun configuration to execute the U3 LaunchPad, and;
2. A standard flash drive (FAT formatted) that includes a hidden "SYSTEM" folder with installed applications.
* U3 compliant applications can be (optionally) preloaded by manufacturers.
WHAT? You probably weren't expecting TWO drive letter when you inserted the dongle, did you?
The dongle autoruns if you leave Windows on it's default setting when inserting, installing the software on your computer - Did you expect that?
Autorun without implied consent.
Some of the dongle space used for the 'read-only ISO 9660 volume'
SanDisk shame on you.
- BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT PART -
Reformatting the drive will remove some of the software (the hidden "SYSTEM" folder), but not all of it. The virtual CD-ROM drive cannot be removed by reformatting because it is presented to the host system as a physical device attached to a USB hub; the official U3 Launchpad Removal Software was available on the U3 website and disabled the virtual CD drive device, leaving only the USB mass storage device active on the U3 USB hub controller, at which point the remaining software can be removed by a subsequent format, performed by the removal software itself. The U3 website is no longer accessible, but the removal tool is still available from other sources.
YUP - from SanDisk itself
[search engine "SanDisk U3 Launchpad Removal"]
If SanDisk decides to stop providing this file, use your favorite search engine to find it.
--- VERY IMPORTANT ---
Turn off the autoruns BEFORE inserting this dongle:
[search engine "microsoft kb 967715"]
THEN run launchpadremoval.exe to remove U3 protection
NOW you have a clean dongle.
Now for a startling conclusion that you probably won't expect:
A refurbished dongle is less that 1/2 the price of a new dongle - it's a steal. Compare SanDisk 16GB Cruzer Micro USB 2.0 Drive SDCZ6-016G-A11 (Refurbished) and SanDisk Cruzer Micro 16 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive SDCZ6-016G-A11 OR [Search engine "refurbished SanDisk Cruzer"]
SanDisk made a good piece of hardware - they were just 'misguided' by installing such bad software WITHOUT INFORMED CONSENT.
Shame on the SanDisk software.