How to stop external (usb) hard-drive from autoplaying?

Scam · 9 Aug 2007 at 19:04

I have a backup of my music on this external drive, and everytime i plug it in i get an autoplay message and it scans all my music (presumably wants to play it). How do i stop it doing this on any computer i plug it into?

Cheers

Greenlizard0 · 9 Aug 2007 at 19:05

There should be an option in it's autoplay window where you can unselect an option to autoplay.

Scam · 9 Aug 2007 at 20:16

Greenlizard0 said:
There should be an option in it's autoplay window where you can unselect an option to autoplay.

But that's just for my PC, right? I'd like to stop it trying to to do it anywhere!

kennethsross · 9 Aug 2007 at 22:21

I hear what you're saying

However, autoplay enable / disable is not (AFAIK) controlled by the external device firmware. It is in the host PC OS.

marc2003 · 9 Aug 2007 at 22:23

only a media player that is running will want to scan a drive for music? not windows by it's self... :confused:

allllec · 9 Aug 2007 at 22:32

marc2003 said:
only a media player that is running will want to scan a drive for music? not windows by it's self...

what he means is when windows searches the drive to find the media types to bring up releveant autoplay options

as for the op. afraid there isnt really a way to do this.

its a very long shot. but try making a file called autorun.inf and put it in the root of the drive. being duff hopefully nothoing will happen when you plug it in.. but its a long shot!

if that dosent work put the following in the file:

[autorun]
open=
icon=

that should stop it from doing anything.. but being a usb hdd im not totally sure.. would work on a cd for sure

marc2003 · 9 Aug 2007 at 22:36

allllec said:
what he means is when windows searches the drive to find the media types to bring up releveant autoplay options

oh right, the dialog pops up instantly for me with my external 320gb drive and my 20gb mp3 player..... :confused:

allllec · 9 Aug 2007 at 22:38

marc2003 said:
oh right, the dialog pops up instantly for me with my external 320gb drive and my 20gb mp3 player.....

yeah same here. luck of a draw. slow device or slow computer maybe? dunno just seen it a few times on other peoples rigs

HangTime · 9 Aug 2007 at 22:55

Should be able to disable autoplay using TweakUI (assuming WinXP). Failing that I think you can edit the Group Policy to disable it.

allllec · 9 Aug 2007 at 22:58

HangTime said:
Should be able to disable autoplay using TweakUI (assuming WinXP). Failing that I think you can edit the Group Policy to disable it.

he wants to stop it on the device so no matter where he plugs it in buddy

Scam · 10 Aug 2007 at 17:20

Thanks for the suggestions. I tried making an autorun.inf but that didnt work. I dont just get the options list asking me what i want to do, i get this first whch lists al my music folders;

allllec · 11 Aug 2007 at 01:10

my bad. was just a shot in the dark.

in that case i know of no way of stoppping it other than disabling it for every pc you plug it into!

sorry bud. maybe somone will have a better idea

sorry

ta

ale