how do i make mem sticks show folders in detail view ?

this has bothered me for many years. the settings are the same for both computers.

home and work pc
i plug in an external drive it displays by detail view. this is good.

home pc
i plug in an usb stick and it displays by detail view. this is good.

netbook and work pc
i plug in an usb stick and it displays by icon view, even when i set to details, remove stick and insert again, back to icon view.

so how to i set all these things to detaut in 'detail' view ?

thank you.