Solved Can't change Volume Label on USB stick

[highstream]

I used a 32gb USB 3.0 stick to copy a single setup file from my laptop for a Cisco router and it turned out to turn the stick into a "Easy Setup Key," and rename the stick's volume label accordingly. I didn't need that, since I have another stick dedicated to that purpose. I'd like to change the volume label, but can't get the new one to hold. I tried the direct rename method, then both quick and slow re-formats of the stick (NTFS), but the new name doesn't hold. Right after the format, the new name does show, and it always shows on the Format dialogue box, but when I unplug and replug the stick into my desktop (3.0 port), my file manager shows it with the former "Easy Setup Key" label. How can I get this done? Thanks,

 

[jumanji]

Download the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool 2.2.3 from Download HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool 2.2.3 Free - Windows-based Format Utility for HP Drive Key or DiskOnKey USB Device - Softpedia

It is a single 96KB HPUSBDisk.exe file. Plugin your pendrive, right click on the .exe file and run it as administrator. Give a new volume label and do a quick format. When finished, close the application, safely remove the pendrive plug it in again and check whether the new volume label sticks. ( If not we will try a more rigorous procedure.)

 

[highstream]

I'm embarrassed to say this, but it was a catalog cache issue in the file manager I use, Xyplorer. Thanks for your help and the good formatting app.

 

[jumanji]

Good to know that. Thanks for sharing the info. I shall now explore Xyplorer.

 

[highstream]

I was wrong, the problem is still there; i.e., the stick still reads Easy Setup Key. Xyplorer gets its info from Windows. I opened Windows Explorer at the wrong moment - see OP - and thus was fooled.

Plan B?

 

[jumanji]

Plan A - formatting with HP format tool - did not work??????

Now do this small experiment. ( I want to know how your system with Xyplorer behaves with other pendrives.)

Change the volume label on another pendrive, safely remove it and plug it in again. Does the change stick?

I am not going to wait for your answer, since I am retiring for the day and won't be up again for the next 10 hours.

Now this is the Plan B which you can try.

Download the HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool v4.25 ( the Windows executable version that requires no installation)

Plug in your pendrive, and low level format it. It will write zeros to each and every sector of the pendrive and reinitialise it to the factory condition. It will take quite sometime but the advantage here when compared to Diskpart- clean all is that you can see the progress and not grow impatient.

At the end of it you have to do a regular format. Use the HP Tool, giving a volume label ( and not the Windows Disk Management).

Even after this the volume label reverts, then it is not with the pendrive and we have to look into your system.

I think other veterans will be able to help you in that even if I am not around.

 

[highstream]

Finally! I just ran the Format Tool and it worked. Before doing so, Windows Explorer and Xyplorer showed the old label name, while the Disk Mgt console showed the new one. Cisco's setup key process must have identified the disk in a way that only a low level format, turning it to RAW, could get at. Thanks.

 

[jumanji]

Glad to know your problem is resolved. Mark it as solved if you have no further queries.

After my last post here yesterday as I was swirling in my bed, it suddenly dawned on me that I might have missed putting the link to the HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool. Morning I was relieved to find that you got it right and the problem is resolved.

 

[highstream]

Plan C needed. Plugged it in today and it reads "Easy Setup Key" again. This is crazy, because in Computer Mgt it shows the new name.

 

[jumanji]

OK.As I mentioned in my post #6, it is now clear that the problem source is not in the pendrive itself but emanates from your system.

In your other post you had said that Xyplorer gets the Volume Label from Windows and we can absolve Xyplorer, if on other pendrives the Volume Label changes stick.Unplug and plug your USB device many times after Volume Label change and confirm this.

Now assuming Xyplorer is not causing this, I would naturally suspect your Router software the one that writes the easy-set-up on your pendrive.

I now presume that when you jumped with joy when the first time volume Label change was truly shown in Explorer, at that point the easy-set-up program, which had owned your specific pendrive by its identity already, may have put in an autorun.inf which will then proclaim it so during subsequent plug-ins.

So check your pendrive to see whether there is any autorn.inf file.( If need be unhide all hidden files and protected system files.)

I hasten to add, at this point, this is only a conjecture for I know nothing about what router you are using and the easy-set-up and where in the easy set-up the pendrive details are stored and whether it is first of all.

Check and confirm. ( I will be out of internet coverage for the next few days in my village.)

Request other experts to take over.

 

[jumanji]

I am now more or less sure now that it is your CISCO Connect software that is responsible for this.

I would completely uninstall it using Revo Uninstaller.

After that I would scrub all the easy setup keys using the HD LLF Lowlevel Format Tool followed by a regular format with the HP tool, sanitise them and free them up from the clutches of that witch.

If I need that program, I would reinstall it, but now take care to use the lowest capacity pendrive for creating the easy setup key and have it as a dedicated key.

( Though uninstalling that program does not change your router settings ( as per CISCO), you should nevertheless have all required data to manually setup using the web interface.)

Article

I am hoping that I am right.

 

[highstream]

There was an autorn.inf file, now deleted, and with a couple of open and closes of file managers, the new name is there. Will see how long that lasts. What's got me puzzled though is shouldn't all those formats, high and low level, have gotten rid of that file?

 

[jumanji]

The CISCO connect rewrites because it has already stolen it and keeps its identity in its belly. That is why a complete uninstall. ( unless I do a Phd to find where exactly in its belly it keeps the pendrive's identity and knock it out. You have to fund it.)

 

[reigouki]

Update first response?

I just ran into this issue on XP32. The cause was autorun.inf in root of the USB drive overriding the volume label being displayed as suggested in the last few posts. Given the simplicity and likelihood of it occuring (as well as the solution), I would suggest that it be made the first troubleshooting step and editted into the first response.

 

[krzykanuck]

USB Stick will not show volume name

I just had the same issue with a stick. Cahnged the format from NTSF to exFat, proplem solved.