Ask Leo!: Disks and Mass Storage en-us 2008 Leo A. Notenboom and Puget Sound Software, LLC Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:07:50 -08:00 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:07:50 -08:00 720 http://ask-leo.com/images/altile144.jpg Ask Leo! http://ask-leo.com 140 140 Tech Questions? Get Answers! Ask Leo! Is is safe to leave a flash drive plugged in all the time? http://ask-leo.com/is_is_safe_to_leave_a_flash_drive_plugged_in_all_the_time.html Some time ago I think I read on your site that flash drives can wear out. Now, I keep my flash drive in all the time because I'm a writer and am always backing things upon the computer and the flash drive, but I dislike having to close the flash drive down, take it out, only to reinsert it again after I take a break or run an errand. And I always leave it in when I run a full system scan because the flash drive will get scanned also.

1. Is it harmful to the flash drive to just leave it plugged in 24/7, even when I put the computer on standby for the night?

2. Why is it necessary to shut the flash drive down before removing it from the computer? Why can I just pull it out when done?

3. And if I am correct about flash drives wearing out, what wears out? As far as I can tell they have no moving parts. And at what point should I consider replacing the flash drives I have?

]]> These are very legitimate questions, but unfortunately very tough questions to answer.

Flash drives do wear out, absolutely.

But exactly when a flash drive will wear out can vary based on so many things it's almost impossible to give a specific answer.

I'll give you my best guess answers, and then also throw out some guidelines that I'd follow on using a flash drive were I in your shoes.

]]> leo@pugetsoundsoftware (Leo A. Notenboom) Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:07:50 -08:00 Technology Why, or how, do files become corrupt? http://ask-leo.com/why_or_how_do_files_become_corrupt.html How are files "corrupted" and why do they go "missing"? I had this happen recently and was told that it was not a virus that caused it: that it "Just happens". Whatever! Windows had to be re-loaded.

]]> Yes, it does "just happen".

That should make you a little nervous, and perhaps motivate you to invest in that backup strategy you've been putting off. Smile

The fact is, things occasionally break, and when they break the failure can be catastrophic - as in suddenly your machine won't turn on - or much more subtle, not showing up for weeks or months or sometimes never.

]]> leo@pugetsoundsoftware (Leo A. Notenboom) Sat, 26 Dec 2009 10:54:30 -08:00 Technology My flash drive suddenly stopped working, how do I recover the data on it? http://ask-leo.com/my_flash_drive_suddenly_stopped_working_how_do_i_recover_the_data_on_it.html I have a flash disk which has been working well for quite some time. Just yesterday it refused to work. It was recognized by the computer but when I tried opening it I got the message that the disk needs formatting. I tried using it on another computer but the same message appeared. I also tried autoplay but nothing happened. When I opened the properties of the disk the file system was indicated as RAW. The data in it is very important and I need to recover it. Please advise.

]]> I really have no answer for you. I honestly believe that your data is gone.

However, before you leave and potentially repeat the mistakes of the past, I'd encourage you to keep reading.

For anyone who uses a USB flash drive, there are two extremely important lessons to learn here.

One of which actually applies to everyone - flash drive user or not.

]]> leo@pugetsoundsoftware (Leo A. Notenboom) Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:09:26 -08:00 Technology Why do file timestamps compare differently every time change? http://ask-leo.com/why_do_file_timestamps_compare_differently_every_time_change.html Every time change (now daylight to standard), the timestamps on all files on my 3 hard disks (1 local, 2 networked) show the new time (i.e., 1 hour less in the Fall) BUT those same files on my removable disk (Cruzer 8GB thumb drive) still have the "old" time (i.e., 1 hour more in the Fall). This causes the entire set of files to miscompare when compared based on time (and I have to recopy all files (GBs) to the removable disk. Been happening for years and have never seen an explanation.

]]> Years ago, one of the ways I took work home was to use an external disk and a file copying tool that copied only files that had changed, using the time stamps to determine which files should be copied.

Once a year everything changed and all files were copied, and once a year a bunch of files would be copied in wrong direction.

And, like you, it happened every time we left and entered daylight saving time.

]]> leo@pugetsoundsoftware (Leo A. Notenboom) Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:13:42 -08:00 Technology Why is my "generic volume in use" when removing my external hard drive? http://ask-leo.com/why_is_my_generic_volume_in_use_when_removing_my_external_hard_drive.html I bought a new 1TB external hard drive the other day and installed it on my laptop right away, everything was working fine until I tried to safely remove it. Whenever I click safely remove it says "Windows cant stop your generic volume device because it is in use". I checked everything and I didn't have a single program running. I don't want to shut it off manually because I have hundreds of important files on it and I don't want to lose them. can you help?

]]> Oh, just because you don't have a program running, doesn't mean that there aren't other programs running. Heck, that's all Windows itself is: a computer program.

What we have is a situation very much like How can I find out who is using a "file in use"? - except that we don't know the name of the file, or whatever else might be "in use".

I'll show you my technique, which looks very similar to the file in use scenario, as well as cover an easily overlooked common cause or two.

]]> leo@pugetsoundsoftware (Leo A. Notenboom) Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:00:00 -08:00 Technology