Belkin universal media reader 1

[licarse]

Hi,

I just bought a universal media reader from Belkin (P4U003). When we use it running an Administrator account, no problems, but if we use a limited account, we get the following issues:

1. Each media drive letter (of the reader) don't display the media format icon.
2. If I try to eject a single media card, I get an error. I have to stop the whole media reader to unplug just one card.

First I couldn't read any media card when using a limited account, then tried searching for a new driver but couldn't find one. I just tried updating the driver from the CDRom and it got one "fix", after which I could read the media cards (at least).

Belkin webpage has no support for this product, and I couldn't find any other driver.

P.D.: I'm running XP Pro SP3, all latest patches installed.

 

[aich69]

Sounds like a permissions issue. Did you install the drivers etc under local admin? Is it just drivers to install or is there a utility too? What happens if you log on as a limited user and try and install the reader from there?

I used to have a handle on life... but it broke. Cpt. Red Bull

 

[licarse]

It surely is. Belkin support says that a limited user account can't read/write from the device... what a joke.

We use limited account users for normal operations, and administrator accounts only for installations. I found three belkin's dlls and one exe that control the device, so I gave them write access to normal users, and now we can read/write data to/from the device with limited user accounts. The problem is that you don't have all the functionality that an administrator has over the device: The icons for each media card are missing and an "eject" can't be performed, so each time we want to stop a card, we have to eject the whole device.

 

[linney]

Can you do anything via Group Policy?

Devices: Allowed to format and eject removable media - Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options

Description
Determines who is allowed to format and eject removable NTFS media. This capability can be given to Administrators, Administrators and Power Users, or Administrators and Interactive Users.

Default: Administrators.

 

[licarse]

Thanks Linney, that worked really nice.

It would be nicer if the device would display the media icons associated with each media slot that appear when I plug the device as an admin user: They even change colors whenever a card is inserted or removed from each slot.

Using filemon, I found four files used by the device whenever it gets plugged:

1. ustor.dll
2. umonit.exe
3. iconcfg0.ini
4. geneicon.dll

I modified their security settings only to test if giving my user write permissions over them would display the media icons: It worked two or three times but then stopped working.

 

[linney]

If you want you can have a go at rebuilding the icon cache? Go to C:\Documents and Settings\usernamexxxx\Local Settings\Application Data\Iconcache.db (enable hidden folders) and delete IconCache.db. Reboot or logoff and let Windows rebuild the icon cache.


Often icons stuff up if you don't have the correct access permissions.

 

[licarse]

Logging off didn't make it work, I'll reboot tomorrow and let you know if it works.

 

[linney]

It is only a suggestion (above), but the bit about permissions is worthy of following up if you can check on which file is supplying the icon.

 

[licarse]

The file supplying the icons is geneicon.dll, I already have RW permissions on it.

But now guess what... I rebooted and Iconcache.db is missing... is there any manual way to rebuild it?

 

[linney]

Are you showing both hidden and system files in Folder Options/ View? If you are manually searching for .db extensions then "Hiding known file types" in the same area should be unchecked to allow you to see extensions. The first two settings should also be set in the Search Preferences too.

Are you now only seeing Default Icons rather than the usual assorted icons?

System restore should revert any changes that you have recently made.

I don't know whether this is a relevant article but it talks about geneicon.dll, icons and XP?

Vantec 8-in-1 Card Reader / USB Hub Review

http://www.extensiontech.net/reviews/tv/vantec/8in1/

See what this says about rebuilding the icon cache.

Icon problem after using TweakUI
thread779-715732

 

[licarse]

Yes, I was showing hidden and system files.

I recovered my old iconcache from the recycle bin, but still don't see the right icons.

I'm gonna use the first article you sent, it seems a pretty good workaround to solve this. Thanks Linney.

 

[linney]

Do you see icons that are correct for basics like My Computer, My Documents, etc?

If not, this talks about fixing the .ico file association.

Double Clicking on Icons just refreshes the desktop
thread779-1277220

There is also the SFC /Scannow command to run the System File Checker.

What do the icons look like from Safe Mode, or from Normal Mode with a different user?

 

[licarse]

Yes, I have all basic icons OK. The only ones that never change are the ones associated with the Belkin device, but I think this won't be a problem, I can make shortcuts to the each slot in the device and change their icons manually.

 

[linney]

I am still troubled by this "I rebooted and Iconcache.db is missing", it should have been replaced at reboot. If you are happy with your workaround then I guess all is well.

 

[licarse]

Me too but then, it's MS... can we expect perfection?