Windows 7 Multiple Partitions on USB Flash drive

Um, Windows does not, for reasons unknown, like multi partitioned USB memory sticks/flash memories, has something to do with them being "Removable Media". However an external USB harddrive is accepted and identified as a fixed harddrive and not removable (although...). I visited this forum in hope that Win7 had a fix. I guess not. On other platforms, such as GNU Linux a multi partitioned USB memory works without any hazzles.

Windows discovers the first partition only, and the other(s) are marked as a RAW, unformatted area, which a user can mistake for corruption of the memory. You can see for yourself using MS Computer Management/Storage/Disk Management. To start MS Computer Management, right click "My Computer" and select "Manage".

I have come across 2 solutions for this MS problem. I have yet to try them, but others have succeed more or less.

1) Use a different driver for the particular USB memory. This solution is good if you only need access to the other partition(s) on one or two more computers and you have admin rights on those. Link 1 Link 2

2) Remove the "Removable Media Bit" (RMB) from the USB memory. This action does not work on all flashdrives. Be sure to back up your data before you try. Link

Edit 1: I also know of a registry hack, but I can only find one or two ref's to this hack out there, but no site with a description/how-to. Aargh.

Edit 2: The registry hack turned out to be solution one. Someone reminded me.

I believe that the Sandisk or rather, the U3 system, only emulates two partitions. It loads/installs a virtual CD-ROM upon insertion. I don't remember exactly 'cos I wiped out the U3 parts from my Cruzer sticks some time ago.

Maybe a bit off topic but here it goes:

What put me off in the first place was that I in Ubuntu 9.04 partitioned my Sandisk Cruzer micro 16GB like this; 3GB FAT32 + 12GB FAT32. My intention was to carry my documents and stuff in the large 2nd partition and in the first I'd install a live Ubuntu system. Doing so I'd be able to boot up any PC with my stick and have access to my files (documents, speadsheets etc) from the other partition. All this worked of just fine -- until I booted Windows XP on my netbook. I had by then forgotten the issue that we are discussing here, that Windows does not like more than one partition on removable devices. Bummer. Since I plan to have access to the files from a lot of computers I won't bother with the two solutions I described. Maaaaybe a bit scared to try solution two. Just maybe.

I backed up the files from the stick and formatted it to 1 FAT32 partition. Instead my old trusty 4GB Cruzer now serves as emergency OS/Live demo stick. BTW, I formatted it in to two partitions, one for Ubuntu 9.10 with extra space for persistent files, and the other partitions for some Ubuntu ISO files (eeebuntu, netbook remix and desktop). Did that because now I can create other Live sticks using the 4GB Cruzer at friends and family. Neat?