5 ms·

Anyone have experience writing or know the source of the software (firmware) that does this? If not just for the hax, it would make an epic April fools joke.

Natsu 16y ago
Between this and the story about France outlawing hashed passwords, I was starting to wonder if April Fools was hitting HN a week late. Sadly, it seems like they really are making dumb laws in France.
Murkin 16y ago
If you have a device running linux with a usb device controller, you can easily create such a fake. Linux has an implementation for a 'disk-on-key' (mass storage device). /usr/src/linux-*/kernel/drivers/usb/gadget/f_mass_storage.c The sample can use both memory and a file as storage. You can easily make it fake the size and rotate around, skipping the first.. 64K or so (forgot the exact number) to prevent your FAT16 from spoiling. Had my http://www.gumstix.com/ http://www.gumstix.com/ doing that for a while..not intentionally. (PS. I don't recommend that board !)
JonnieCache 16y ago
Here is a guide to doing this very thing: http://elasticsheep.com/2010/04/teensy2-usb-mass-storage-with-an-sd-card/ http://elasticsheep.com/2010/04/teensy2-usb-mass-storage-wit... Well, it doesn't tell you how to do the fakery. But it does give you a good starting place for rolling your own mass storage controller. It uses the awesome Teensy dev boards. http://www.pjrc.com/teensy/ http://www.pjrc.com/teensy/
logic 16y ago
Not quite the same thing as modifying an existing USB key, but there's a nice swath of Atmel USB chips supported by LUFA that could achieve similar effects: Home page: http://www.fourwalledcubicle.com/LUFA.php http://www.fourwalledcubicle.com/LUFA.php Hardware support: http://www.fourwalledcubicle.com/files/LUFA/Doc/101122/html/ http://www.fourwalledcubicle.com/files/LUFA/Doc/101122/html/ (LUFA is what powers the ATmega8U2 that replaced the FTDI chipset on the new Arduino Uno boards.) Stuff something like a Minimus USB or Teensy into a usb stick case, and you're all set to cause endless fun for your coworkers. ;-)

Natsu 16y ago

Between this and the story about France outlawing hashed passwords, I was starting to wonder if April Fools was hitting HN a week late. Sadly, it seems like they really are making dumb laws in France.

Murkin 16y ago

If you have a device running linux with a usb device controller, you can easily create such a fake. Linux has an implementation for a 'disk-on-key' (mass storage device). /usr/src/linux-*/kernel/drivers/usb/gadget/f_mass_storage.c The sample can use both memory and a file as storage. You can easily make it fake the size and rotate around, skipping the first.. 64K or so (forgot the exact number) to prevent your FAT16 from spoiling. Had my http://www.gumstix.com/ http://www.gumstix.com/ doing that for a while..not intentionally. (PS. I don't recommend that board !)

JonnieCache 16y ago

Here is a guide to doing this very thing: http://elasticsheep.com/2010/04/teensy2-usb-mass-storage-with-an-sd-card/ http://elasticsheep.com/2010/04/teensy2-usb-mass-storage-wit... Well, it doesn't tell you how to do the fakery. But it does give you a good starting place for rolling your own mass storage controller. It uses the awesome Teensy dev boards. http://www.pjrc.com/teensy/ http://www.pjrc.com/teensy/

logic 16y ago

Not quite the same thing as modifying an existing USB key, but there's a nice swath of Atmel USB chips supported by LUFA that could achieve similar effects: Home page: http://www.fourwalledcubicle.com/LUFA.php http://www.fourwalledcubicle.com/LUFA.php Hardware support: http://www.fourwalledcubicle.com/files/LUFA/Doc/101122/html/ http://www.fourwalledcubicle.com/files/LUFA/Doc/101122/html/ (LUFA is what powers the ATmega8U2 that replaced the FTDI chipset on the new Arduino Uno boards.) Stuff something like a Minimus USB or Teensy into a usb stick case, and you're all set to cause endless fun for your coworkers. ;-)