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General discussion

Copy program file to root of USB flash drive

Feb 26, 2011 11:02AM PST

I need to copy a program's license (plain text)file to the root of a USB flash drive(not in a folder). What steps do I need to take ? Should I copy and paste the name of the file over the drive name so that the E:/ is no longer there, or should I paste it after E:/(license file name here) ?

Discussion is locked

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(NT) Just drag and drop to the right place.
Feb 26, 2011 7:53PM PST
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Copy to root of flash drive
Feb 26, 2011 8:55PM PST

Thanks for the quick response, I'm just not sure what the right place is.

- Should the drive name still be showing (E:/) ?
- Or should the file name be listed after the forward slash?

Sorry... I'd just try it but I'm trying to avoid ruining a flash drive or using up a license doing it the wrong way.

Thanks again

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Can you tell us more?
Feb 26, 2011 9:50PM PST

Is this a 'requirement' of this program that you place a copy of the license to a flash drive? If so, tell us more about this program, what is it, and where this instruction is.

To be truthful I don't see why it would be necessary to do this, and in particular to saving it to the Root Directory.

What Operating System are you using?

In Windows, the Windows installation is usually installed on the C:\ drive in a folder called "Windows". This C:\ drive is called the Root Directory. If you are using Windows you can check your own Root Directory by using Windows Explorer, (My Computer will do), and highlighting the C drive. That will list all folders and files stored on the Root Directory.

So, if you connect up a Flash Drive to the computer and explore its contents, you will see the drive given a drive letter by Windows, (E:\ seems right, but all systems are different), and will see what folders and files are already stored on it. The Root Directory for the flash drive will be E:\ so all you need to do is copy, or drag and drop, that file directly onto the E drive.

Hope that helps.

Mark

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Program & License info
Feb 27, 2011 12:04AM PST

Thanks for your time Mark and Kees. Sending the program and instruction info below.

I got Messiah Studio 5 on a promo offer I found on Deal News (for my nephew). It's an animation software. To use the program on multiple Windows PCs, it says I need to save the license in the root of a flash drive. It specifically states to use the root, and not a folder.

I copied the instructions below. #9 indicates I need to copy to the root of the flash drive. The last sentence basically says with Windows I can move the program and license between machines.

1. Install messiahStudio 32bit version first; then once your license is working, if you purchased PRO and are on Windows, you can install the 64bit version. Download from Download menu at www.projectmessiah.com Use the full version installs link.
2. Make sure your USB flash drive is plugged in. Do not use an SD card, and plug it directly into the machine; NOT through a hub
3. Run messiahStudio - You'll either get an error and or it will bring up a small Client License Utility window, where you can Choose your drive and generate an ID.
4. Choose your USB flash from the file list.(You should recognize it from it's name or drive letter)
5. Press the button to generate the ID.
6. Highlight the ID and copy and paste it into the Client ID field in the Licenses section below.
7. Click the Generate License button.
8. Copy License text, and paste into a text file that you will name: messiah_license.txt (this file must be a plain text format file).
9. If you are locking to a USB flash drive, Place this file in the root (Not in a folder) of your USB flash drive.

If you locked to the windows local hardrive (Windows OS only), place this file in the root (Not in a folder) of your local drive. (c: etc)

Once your license file is on your drive, you can move that drive to any machine with same OS, to run the software there; As long as the software is also installed on that machine. (On Windows, you can actually run the software straight from the USB flash if you copy the pmG over to it)

Thanks again !

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I see, and thank you.
Feb 28, 2011 3:33AM PST

Sorry for the delay in replying.

Copying this file to the root directory of a flash drive is very simple.

If you connect the flash drive to a USB port, does a window open asking what you want to do with this drive? If so, select the option which shows folders and files. if not, goto My Computer, (called just Computer in Vista and Win 7), and open that. it should list your flash drive with a drive letter. You mention E, so I assume this is the letter that Windows assigns to this drive.

Highlight E:\ and the very first thing you see is the 'contents of E:\' With E highlighted still, drag the file to it and release. The file is then on the root directory of E:\.

I hope that helps.

Mark

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Re: root of flash drive
Feb 26, 2011 9:56PM PST

The filename should be showing in the right pane in Windows Explorer when you select the e:-drive in the left pane.
Just like any other folder. There's nothing special about the root folder. All folders when selected in the left pane show their contents in the right pane. That can be subfolders and files.

Copying a file to somewhere on a drive never ruins the drive. And if the file is in the wrong place it won't be read so you won't use the license.

Kees