The scanner continues to give patrons trouble when they attempt to use certain USB keys. ITS has been over (again) and Adam believes he may have identified the problem.
Many USBs now come with software or utilities (for encrypting files, for example) already loaded. When such a USB key makes contact with the scanner, it attempts to upload these software programs and hits a wall. That's why the system fails or hangs or delivers up an error message as we've been seeing in recent days.
Adam needs to confirm that this is indeed the cause of our most recent troubles, so I'll update this post when I hear back from him or Al.
What we may be forced into is rather untidy workaround. When patrons encounter trouble with a USB, they'll need to uninstall the software on the USB before they can save from the scanner. Or, they can FTP.
We will need to have appropriate signage, I suspect, if we hope to offset questions of this kind during the term. Preinstalled USB software is more and more common. Our users are bound to get quickly frustrated.
1 comment:
An update from Adam Johnson in IT, received in email today:
"Hello, Sue!
So, here is the deal with USB keys on the DocSend systems...
Some keys ship with one or more little utility programs/files on them which are set to run whenever the key is connected to a computer. These programs automatically install themselves on the connected computer, providing optional security and/or customized device configuration. Due to the condition of these computers being publicly accessible, safe computing and security practices demand that we disallow any installation of software or drivers. The result is that, as long as these utility programs exist on the USB key, the storage driver cannot load them into the reserved drive letter, so they do not appear on the computer.
The good news is that MOST of all USB keys will work with the native drivers already installed on any Windows XP computer. In order to force this situation, the utility programs must be removed from the root folder of the USB key. Either the patron can DELETE the file(s) from the key or they may create a new folder on the key and MOVE the utility programs into this folder. Since all of our Public machines have the same security measures in place, the patron will be unable to make this change on a Library computer. We recommend they do this at home or on their own, personal computer.
It is not likely that this situation will change, as it is beyond our control. The manufacturers of these keys are responsible for their initial contents and there is no standard to what they are doing. Nor is there any way to safeguard our computers from malicious programs if we were to allow these keys to install software.
As a matter of general good practice, I suggest you recommend to patrons that they try sending a test scan to their keys before embarking on an all-night scanning session. =) It's better to find out up front that they have to make changes to their key rather than when they have dozens of scans to commit. A test scan does not require an actual book. The patron may simply press scan with the scanner lid closed. This will produce a (mostly) white page of small size. Then go immediately to send. If the send is successful, the key works fine.
It may be worthy to note here, that it may take several seconds for a newly-inserted USB key to be recognized and properly installed by the system. Make sure to wait at least 30 seconds after plugging in a USB key before attempting to send your scan to the key. This is not usually a requirement but we have found it to be a good practice as well.
I hope this helps to illustrate the situation. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Thanks!
Adam "
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