Modifying Your Ultrablock Capabilities - Digital Intelligence UltraBlock USB User Manual

Modifying your UltraBlock Capabilities

The UltraBlock USB is shipped with the ability to change the way in which it
responds to the operating system. There is a small knock out panel located on
the right edge of the UltraBlock. This panel must be removed for access to the
configuration switches (a small razor knife is ideal for this operation.)
The default position for all switches is OFF.
Switches #2 and #3 control how the UltraBlock responds to the operating
system in Read-Only mode. They are intended for diagnostic operations and to
help support operating systems which do not fully support read-only devices.
Switch #2 controls whether an error code is returned when a write is attempted.
If the switch is OFF, an error will be generated when a write is attempted. If the
switch is ON, a success code will be returned to make the operating system
believe the write was successful.
Switch #3 controls what type of code page (device characteristics) is reported to
the calling process when a device query is made. If the switch is OFF, the code
page reported indicates that the device is write protected. If the switch is ON,
the code page indicates the device was not write protected.
The following table summarizes the recommended configuration depending on
the operating system you are using.
Operating System
Windows XP
Windows 2000
Windows ME/98se
Other
Switch 2 Switch 3
OFF OFF
ON ON
ON OFF
OFF OFF
Comments
In most situations, Windows XP handles READ-
ONLY bridges correctly and will work optimally
when leaving switches 2 and 3 in the OFF
(default) state.
If you encounter a situation in which Windows
XP reports that a volume is "write protected" and
will not allow you to access the partition, then try
the switch setting recommended for Windows
2000, below.
Windows 2000 does not mount NTFS volumes
correctly when the bridge declares that it is
READ-ONLY. These settings make Windows
2000 believe the bridge is in READ-WRITE
mode (even though it is not), and Windows 2000
will successfully mount NTFS volumes.
Windows ME/98se may not recognize that a
bridge is READ-ONLY and may attempt to write
to the bridge anyway. If this happens, Windows
ME/98se will generate a "blue screen" error.
These settings eliminate the "blue screen" error.
Most other modern operating systems handle
READ-ONLY forensic bridges correctly, so the
default OFF settings are best for users of these
operating systems.
UltraBlock™ USB User Manual
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