U3 launcher service is down
U3 launcher service is down
It appears U3.com has been down for quite sometime, about 2 months after searching around on Google: http://downforeveryoneorjustme.com/http://www.u3.com/
Re: U3 Down
This is a VERY big deal for portable software. U3 is installed in thousands, maybe millions of flash drives. (For a little background: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U3)
Its probably fantastic news for PortableApps and probably good for us too: the more people are forced to go outside the U3 system for good portable software, the better.
Its also yet another wonderful argument for open software and open standards; one website goes down and an entire software system is in doubt. For example, if Linux.com ever went offline, no one would suggest that it reflected on the future of Linux.
Good post, guinness.
Edit: the biggest downside to the site being offline is Sandisk's own removal tool is offline. There's a sourceforge program for it but that's pretty shitty to just abandon users like that without some kind of alternative.
http://u3-tool.sourceforge.net/
Its probably fantastic news for PortableApps and probably good for us too: the more people are forced to go outside the U3 system for good portable software, the better.
Its also yet another wonderful argument for open software and open standards; one website goes down and an entire software system is in doubt. For example, if Linux.com ever went offline, no one would suggest that it reflected on the future of Linux.
Good post, guinness.
Edit: the biggest downside to the site being offline is Sandisk's own removal tool is offline. There's a sourceforge program for it but that's pretty shitty to just abandon users like that without some kind of alternative.
http://u3-tool.sourceforge.net/
Re: U3 Down
I do have the last official copy of the u3 removal tool.
Re: U3 Down
If you have the license for it, please look it over for some note about redistribution. If its not restricted, please post here or email it to me and I'll post it.
U3 launchpad removal tool Still Available
Softpedia is currently hosting the U3 launchpad removal tool
Download from Here
Read about it here
For anyone with a wandering nostalgia for U3 you could look back into the past here
It should be noted that many U3 apps are still hosted on their own websites.
At least one launchpad to replace U3 exists it is a U3 version of PStart.
This version of PStart will allow you to launch non u3 apps as well as the u3 only portable apps
At least one application packager exists to create new u3 packaged applications
Download from Here
Read about it here
For anyone with a wandering nostalgia for U3 you could look back into the past here
It should be noted that many U3 apps are still hosted on their own websites.
At least one launchpad to replace U3 exists it is a U3 version of PStart.
This version of PStart will allow you to launch non u3 apps as well as the u3 only portable apps
At least one application packager exists to create new u3 packaged applications
Re: U3 Down
PackageFactory is a freeware u3 packaging software, it can package a copy of itself so it is u3 portable. (This is really just a U3 menu shortcut creator.)
Pstart has a U3 version downloaded here and barely mentioned here
The best thing about this version of PStart is that it is an introduction to the ability to launch non U3 apps.
Finally of course you can download a number of U3 applications here among other places. (try google, and for a specific app go to the application homepage and check)
******************************************************************
Of course as most former U3 users now know the only real advantage U3 ever had was automatic autorun which has been disabled by default on most windows PCs for many years now. (due to misuse)
Anyone married to U3 should really try some of the many, varied, and really much better options.
I recommend Portableapps.com since it offers many applications, and application packages. (no real learning curve for use, just use it.)
For someone wishing for something truly great I recommend PStart (this is a highly configurable launcher but not as immediately easy as portableapps.com).
Pstart has a U3 version downloaded here and barely mentioned here
The best thing about this version of PStart is that it is an introduction to the ability to launch non U3 apps.
Finally of course you can download a number of U3 applications here among other places. (try google, and for a specific app go to the application homepage and check)
******************************************************************
Of course as most former U3 users now know the only real advantage U3 ever had was automatic autorun which has been disabled by default on most windows PCs for many years now. (due to misuse)
Anyone married to U3 should really try some of the many, varied, and really much better options.
I recommend Portableapps.com since it offers many applications, and application packages. (no real learning curve for use, just use it.)
For someone wishing for something truly great I recommend PStart (this is a highly configurable launcher but not as immediately easy as portableapps.com).
Re: U3 Down
This is bad news for me, since I have been providing U3 apps for quite some time through the domain U3Applications.com. Now I may have to shut down. I am still getting quite a few visitors, however, so it seems U3 isn't quite dead yet. We will see!
Last edited by dstrout on Tue Jul 20, 2010 10:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: U3 Down
webfork wrote:The biggest downside to the site being offline is Sandisk's own removal tool is offline.
Is this the one you have?guinness wrote:I do have the last official copy of the u3 removal tool.
SanDisk U3 Launchpad Removal Tool
Direct Download
Code: Select all
http://drivers1.sandisk.com/DriverDownload/assets/USB%20Flash%20Drives/launchpadremoval.zipMD5 0C3DEB8C545A2C4D8F84278234CEC3A2 (exe)
Here's another link to the tool. (Direct Download)
Code: Select all
http://mp3support.sandisk.com/downloads/launchpadremoval.exeRe: U3 Down
That is a shame. Is there some way to re-purpose the site?dstrout wrote:This is bad news for me, since I have been providing U3 apps for quite some time through the domain U3Applications.com. Now I may have to shut down. I am still getting quite a few visitors, however, so it seems U3 isn't quite dead yet. We will see!
Re: U3 Down
With a name like U3Applications.com? I don't see how.webfork wrote: That is a shame. Is there some way to re-purpose the site?
Re: U3 Down
Ruby - Same site but I checked the MD5 and both were different, so then I downloaded and found the one I have is Product Version:1.0.2.33 and the download you provided was Product Version:1.0.2.32
So I have the same product but newer version.
So I have the same product but newer version.
Re: U3 Down
I just noticed the version of the Softpedia link donald provided is 1.0.3.10.
The date on the exe I linked to is 7/30/2009 07:44:02.
The date on the exe I linked to is 7/30/2009 07:44:02.
Re: U3 Down
I just download the version on Softpedia and checked the Product Version number, they are both the same and so is the MD5. Seems Softpedia have written the wrong version number down!
Softpedia: 3B1B774FFADA03AD1B1D8312AC4BC8C0
MyVersion: 3B1B774FFADA03AD1B1D8312AC4BC8C0
Softpedia: 3B1B774FFADA03AD1B1D8312AC4BC8C0
MyVersion: 3B1B774FFADA03AD1B1D8312AC4BC8C0
Re: U3 Down
Yeah I just downloaded and saw your version - 1.0.2.33
Re: U3 Down
I just tested this program on a removable device and it worked great.webfork wrote:http://u3-tool.sourceforge.net/
The program warns against running on a drive with actual data on it but it didn't delete mine. Your experience may vary so backing up as the program suggests is a Good Idea.
The program is command-line, but I used the website-suggested "u3_tool.exe -p 0 E" execution and it worked like a charm.