Groups > comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage > #7137

Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives?

From	not@telling.you.invalid (Computer Nerd Kev)
Newsgroups	comp.sys.mac.hardware.storage, comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage
Subject	Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives?
Date	2016-10-18 21:15 +0000
Organization	Aioe.org NNTP Server
Message-ID	<nu63dr$1obc$1@gioia.aioe.org> (permalink)
References	<wMidnT3J4O0aoZjFnZ2dnUU7-InNnZ2d@earthlink.com> <nu5epg$3aq$1@dont-email.me> <191020160913063207%YourName@YourISP.com>

Cross-posted to 2 groups.

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In comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage Your Name <YourName@yourisp.com> wrote:
> In article <nu5epg$3aq$1@dont-email.me>, Doc O'Leary
> <droleary@2015usenet1.subsume.com> wrote:
> 
>> For your reference, records indicate that 
>> ANTant@zimage.com (Ant) wrote:
>> 
>> > Either I'm having bad luck or USB flash drives suck even with various 
>> > sizes (e.g., 512 MB to 32 GB), well known brand names (e.g., SanDisk), 
>> > and cheap/free ones (SP [a few years] and Patriot [had it since 
>> > 10/3/2015]). They don't seems like they don't last longer than a year. I 
>> > keep them in my drawers, wallets, etc.
>> 
>> Of course, anyone who remembers how unreliable floppy disks used to 
>> be would treasure a one year life span. 
> 
> I can't say I've ever had any real problems with floppy disks. I've
> still got a huge pile of them (some magazine cover disks, some my own
> disks). In fact, the biggest issue I've ever had with floppy disks is
> the drive in my beige G3 dying and I didn't have the time nor equipment
> to fix it, so I got an external USB one instead.
> 
> A large part of the issue many people had with floppy disks is due to
> the way they treated them. Mine were and are always stored in boxes,
> never simply thrown into bags or pockets alone.

I found that frequent erasures and writes of large files killed them
fairly fast, with just small writes to text files or the like they
served a good life, and for Read-Only use I've found they last very
well indeed.

> The same goes for USB flash drives. I've seen people treating them
> extremely badly.

I read online once a theory that it's usually the crystal (the
component in the metal can that has wire leads going to it)
that fails. Crystals are used in all sorts of things these days,
so it must be either poor quality, or some aspect of use, that would
make them more susceptable to failure in memory sticks specifically.

Modern thin, card-width, memory sticks seem to show that the
need for the traditionally large crystal package has been overcome.
Perhaps this has improved reliability? In any case, unlike the old
crystals, these modern integrated ones can't be easily replaced by
someone with a soldering iron.

The consequence of the crystal failing would usually be the memory
stick failing to be recognised by any computer. The data could well
be recovered if it were replaced afterwards.

-- 
__          __
#_ < |\| |< _#

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Thread

Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? ANTant@zimage.com (Ant) - 2016-10-17 16:03 -0500
  Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? Mark Perkins <mark@none.invalid> - 2016-10-18 04:04 -0500
    Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? ANTant@zimage.com (Ant) - 2016-10-18 16:27 -0500
  Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? Doc O'Leary  <droleary@2015usenet1.subsume.com> - 2016-10-18 15:23 +0000
    Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? "Happy.Hobo" <Happy.Hobo@Spam.Invalid> - 2016-10-18 12:13 -0500
      Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? ANTant@zimage.com (Ant) - 2016-10-18 16:28 -0500
        Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? "Happy.Hobo" <Happy.Hobo@Spam.Invalid> - 2016-10-19 00:15 -0500
          Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? ANTant@zimage.com (Ant) - 2016-10-19 17:40 -0500
            Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? "Happy.Hobo" <Happy.Hobo@Spam.Invalid> - 2016-10-19 17:52 -0500
              Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? ANTant@zimage.com (Ant) - 2016-10-19 18:11 -0500
              Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? Lewis <g.kreme@gmail.com.dontsendmecopies> - 2016-10-20 04:19 +0000
    Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? Your Name <YourName@YourISP.com> - 2016-10-19 09:13 +1300
      Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? not@telling.you.invalid (Computer Nerd Kev) - 2016-10-18 21:15 +0000
        Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? ANTant@zimage.com (Ant) - 2016-10-18 16:51 -0500
          Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-10-18 17:52 -0400
            Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? Doc O'Leary  <droleary@2015usenet1.subsume.com> - 2016-10-19 15:41 +0000
              Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-10-19 11:49 -0400
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? ANTant@zimage.com (Ant) - 2016-10-19 17:42 -0500
          Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? "Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> - 2016-10-19 16:05 +1100
      Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? ANTant@zimage.com (Ant) - 2016-10-18 16:32 -0500
        Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? Your Name <YourName@YourISP.com> - 2016-10-19 13:28 +1300
          Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-10-18 20:41 -0400
        Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? "Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> - 2016-10-19 15:48 +1100
          Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? ANTant@zimage.com (Ant) - 2016-10-19 17:50 -0500
            Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? "Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> - 2016-10-20 15:48 +1100
              Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? ANTant@zimage.com (Ant) - 2016-10-20 14:48 -0500
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? not@telling.you.invalid (Computer Nerd Kev) - 2016-10-20 21:14 +0000
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? not@telling.you.invalid (Computer Nerd Kev) - 2016-10-21 21:41 +0000
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-10-21 17:46 -0400
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? ANTant@zimage.com (Ant) - 2016-10-21 17:23 -0500
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-10-21 18:27 -0400
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? ANTant@zimage.com (Ant) - 2016-10-21 18:05 -0500
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? not@telling.you.invalid (Computer Nerd Kev) - 2016-10-22 21:26 +0000
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? not@telling.you.invalid (Computer Nerd Kev) - 2016-10-22 21:27 +0000
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? ANTant@zimage.com (Ant) - 2016-10-22 17:37 -0500
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? Your Name <YourName@YourISP.com> - 2016-10-23 14:16 +1300
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? not@telling.you.invalid (Computer Nerd Kev) - 2016-10-24 01:36 +0000
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-10-23 22:03 -0400
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? "Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> - 2016-10-24 13:54 +1100
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? Doc O'Leary  <droleary@2015usenet1.subsume.com> - 2016-10-24 15:52 +0000
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-10-24 21:01 -0400
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? Doc O'Leary  <droleary@2015usenet1.subsume.com> - 2016-10-25 15:56 +0000
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-10-25 12:33 -0400
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? Doc O'Leary  <droleary@2015usenet1.subsume.com> - 2016-10-26 17:34 +0000
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? "Happy.Hobo" <Happy.Hobo@Spam.Invalid> - 2016-10-26 13:59 -0500
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? Lewis <g.kreme@gmail.com.dontsendmecopies> - 2016-10-27 00:13 +0000
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-10-26 23:19 -0400
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? Lewis <g.kreme@gmail.com.dontsendmecopies> - 2016-10-26 00:09 +0000
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? not@telling.you.invalid (Computer Nerd Kev) - 2016-10-22 21:22 +0000
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? "Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> - 2016-10-24 11:43 +1100
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? not@telling.you.invalid (Computer Nerd Kev) - 2016-10-24 01:31 +0000
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-10-23 22:03 -0400
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? "Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> - 2016-10-24 13:51 +1100
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? not@telling.you.invalid (Computer Nerd Kev) - 2016-10-24 21:42 +0000
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? "Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> - 2016-10-26 06:59 +1100
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? "Happy.Hobo" <Happy.Hobo@Spam.Invalid> - 2016-10-23 23:52 -0500
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-10-23 20:53 -0400
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? not@telling.you.invalid (Computer Nerd Kev) - 2016-10-24 01:49 +0000
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-10-23 22:03 -0400
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? not@telling.you.invalid (Computer Nerd Kev) - 2016-10-24 21:54 +0000
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-10-24 21:01 -0400
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? ANTant@zimage.com (Ant) - 2016-10-24 23:00 -0500
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-10-25 00:10 -0400
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? ANTant@zimage.com (Ant) - 2016-10-24 23:11 -0500
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? not@telling.you.invalid (Computer Nerd Kev) - 2016-10-25 21:14 +0000
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? Your Name <YourName@YourISP.com> - 2016-10-21 13:50 +1300
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-10-20 21:32 -0400
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? Lewis <g.kreme@gmail.com.dontsendmecopies> - 2016-10-21 08:53 +0000
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? "Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> - 2016-10-22 10:05 +1100
                Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? "Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> - 2016-10-22 10:03 +1100
  Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? "Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> - 2016-10-19 05:09 +1100
    Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? ANTant@zimage.com (Ant) - 2016-10-18 16:48 -0500
      Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? Your Name <YourName@YourISP.com> - 2016-10-19 13:32 +1300
        Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-10-18 20:41 -0400
      Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? Jolly Roger <jollyroger@pobox.com> - 2016-10-19 00:38 +0000
        Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? ANTant@zimage.com (Ant) - 2016-10-18 21:30 -0500
          Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? Jolly Roger <jollyroger@pobox.com> - 2016-10-19 15:50 +0000
            Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? "Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> - 2016-10-20 05:01 +1100
        Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? "Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> - 2016-10-19 16:08 +1100
      Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? "Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> - 2016-10-19 16:02 +1100
        Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? ANTant@zimage.com (Ant) - 2016-10-19 18:10 -0500
          Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? "Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> - 2016-10-20 16:01 +1100
  Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? Ed Light <nobody@nobody.there> - 2016-10-24 16:11 -0700
    Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? ANTant@zimage.com (Ant) - 2016-10-24 23:01 -0500
  Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? Ed Light <nobody@nobody.there> - 2016-10-24 16:16 -0700
  Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? Ed Light <nobody@nobody.there> - 2016-10-24 16:19 -0700
    Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? ANTant@zimage.com (Ant) - 2016-10-24 23:02 -0500
      Re: Is it me or are there many unreliable USB flash drives? Ed Light <nobody@nobody.there> - 2016-10-24 21:38 -0700

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