Can you delete files from pre-loaded Promotional USB Memory sticks?

Picture the scenario. You have just taken receiptthe very nature the Promotional USB Memory
of your bright new USB Branded Memory sticksSticks are engineered to stop end users doing
for an event that is due to commence in 2 days.exactly what you want to do, namely delete and
You load the first of the USB Memory Sticks intochange the data. The software required to do this
your PC and to your horror you discover that thewill be dependant on the controller that the
data has been loaded incorrectly or there is anBranded Memory Stick has been loaded with. The
error with the original information provided. controller is the mini operating system that all USB
Apart from putting a wet towel over you headMemory sticks have. Again there are several
what options do you have? He’s a list ofoptions to resolve this.
things that may help:• Return back to the manufacturer. They
Try to minimise the risk of this happening in thehave the technology to format and reload the
first place. Ensure your Custom USB supplierdata, but the downside is that it will take time to
provides you with screen grabs of the data forreturn to the Far East, get them reloaded and
sign off. Ideally ask for a pre-production sampleshipped back. You would need to allow up to 2
of your Branded USB Memory sticks with theweeks for this.
data preload. This way there little risk of any• Some USB Providers will have the software
issues in the future.to allow the data to be deleted in the UK. If not,
1.If the data is not protected or has an autorun.ask them to try to obtain from the manufacturer.
Then there are some easy solutions:This would allow them to delete the data. Then
• Delete the data from the memory sticksthe next challenge would be reloading the data.
and re-load. Doing these individually is a painful andThe easiest thing to do would be to load the new
slow process and is not recommended fordata with no protection or an autorun. However, if
batches of over 100 units, unless you have anthis is a pre-requisite then there are a few UK
army of people to throw at this. This process isData Duplication companies that have the
also prone to quality issues.capabilities of loading the data with copy
• There are several data duplication companiesprotection and autorun. Again this will be
in the UK that can take the Branded Memorydependant on the controller that is on the
sticks and format and reload the data relativelyBranded USB Memory Drive.
easily and quickly.  They can process up to 3000The moral of this story is to ensure that you
memory sticks within a few hours. Job done.minimise the risk of this happening, by having a
2.The nightmare scenario! If the memory stickspre-production sample produced. Otherwise you
are data-protected or have an autorun itwill be entering a very stressful process and that
becomes far more complex. No surprise, as bytowel will continue to get wetter!