[plug] USB Flash Drives - A word to the wise...

[Brad Campbell]

Jim Householder wrote:
> Hi
> 
> A word of caution.  When removing a USBKey flash memory device, the 
> proper removal process is *highly* recommended.  I assumed that the only 
> purpose was to make sure buffers were flushed, and if I had made no 
> changes just pulled it out.  (However after the odd problem with linux I 
> decided it was best to explicitly umount it first.)
> 
> My USBKey has failed after only 3 months and only 20 or so uses.
> 
> It appears that another function of the removal process is to make it 
> *electrically* safe to remove the device.  A $39 lesson...

Actually no. Electrically there is absolutely no difference you can make by 
mounting/unmounting/removing usb-storage or doing anything short of unloading the usb host drivers.

You got a dud I'm afraid. I have several USB-keys here that have survived hundreds of plug-unplug 
cycles under the most adverse conditions with no damage. Nothing more than ensuring the drives have 
been synced before removing them. One has been used so much I have almost worn out the connector.


-- 
Brad
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