U3 software won't start

SEO · 26 Feb 2010

I purchased a new Sony VAIO laptop today with Windows 7 64bit. I am using a Sandisk Cruzer 32 gig USB stick that worked very well on any random pc and my old laptop with windows 7 32bit.

It has the latest U3 software version on it. I just had a long chat with Sandisk support and they had no clue what could cause this, while actively have tried to find a solution.

Does anyone have an idea what could cause this? I've already tried to shut down unknown processes. It still won't start.

It also won't start the U3 software on my old 8 gig cruzer.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Best Regards,
Jan Jaap

Darryl Licht · 26 Feb 2010

First thing I do with any SanDisk is get rid of the U3 stuff. It's value added bloatware and U dont need it!

SEO · 27 Feb 2010

Hi there!

I do need U3 for AES encrypted password access.

I may have found the reason. I believe the U3 stopped working after I installed Norton 360. I just found a topic where people describe having experienced simular problems.

u3 wont launch!!! - Norton Community

However, I can't find a way to kill the Norton 360 process. Do you know if uninstalling is the only way to test it?

fettu · 27 Feb 2010

I have the Verbatim 4GB thumb drive that uses U3 as well and it works fine on Vista but doesn't work on Windows 7, and I have Norton installed on both computers. So I don't think it's Norton.
Try this:
Plug the U3 drive in and wait for windows to add the drives to the explorer. (There should be two drives added; in my case it was F: and G: )
Open explorer and navigate to the lowest drive added (F: in my example)
Double click on LaunchU3.exe .
Once the U3 'menu' is loaded, click on the U3 icon and in the menu click on Settings > U3 LaunchPad Settings
Go to Autorun and click on Install Launcher.
Click Close when install is done.
Click the U3 icon and select Eject.
Remove the U3 drive and wait for Windows to release the drives / USB devices.
Insert the U3 drive and check if the LaunchPad starts automatically now.

Let me know how this works for you.

Darryl Licht · 27 Feb 2010

SEO said:

I do need U3 for AES encrypted password access.

There are other solutions for AES encryption... one is included with upper end versions of Win7 Bit-Locker to go... another very respected encryption sw out there is TrueCrypt. <--FREE too!