(Un)reliability of USB pen drives

[Giraffe]

Just had a 64GB Kingston USB 3 drive fail. Windows flagged it up, I allowed it to be checked and it was et as Read Only. Further testing showed some bad bits.
I was able to copy off all the stuff I wanted, so that just leaves it with data that can't be deleted/overwritten. At least I can use hardware to render it unreadable!

Now, I'd like to replace it (and possibly get some more), so what seems to be the least unreliable brand/model, please?

[outwar6010]

Try a full format to see if that helps.

[Giraffe]

It can't be formatted - it's set by the OS to Read Only and it can't be changed.

[virtuo]

Of all the brands I've tried, the only USB drives that I've never had issues with have been genuine Sandisks and an HP one (which I'm fairly sure is a rebrand of something else).

I'd trust a Sandisk device any day, but beware there seem to be lots of fakes floating around.

[Giraffe]

Thanks - I'll have a look at 7dayshop as a reasonable supplier.
Scan doesn't have any :-(

[outwar6010]

I've never had any issues with Kingston. Try contacting them direct for a solution.

[hb904460]

I haven't had a problem with a corsair (well apart from the body falling off) and sandisk usb drives.

[ik9000]

Worrying. My wedding pics are on a Kingston pen drive....

Have you tried using a command prompt format routine? Also is there a switch on the tail end to flick off the write protect? I've had some that came with that.

I've found the Corsair Voyager series to be reliable.

[Giraffe]

I haven't tried command prompt (not sure how to do it), but as Widows set it to RO...
There isn't a physical switch.

I was looking at Corsair also. I've 2BB Voyager from when that was a big drive.

[ik9000]

I haven't tried command prompt (not sure how to do it),

There are various ways of doing it, Google is your friend. e.g. http://ccm.net/forum/affich-801310-r...using-diskpart

Just follow the instructions carefully and make sure you use the right drive letter. NB this will erase the disk so make sure everything is backed up.

[GoNz0]

It's read only because it is faulty, they do this to preserve any data for you to recover before you destroy or RMA it. I have had a couple of sandisk drives do this. No one make is totally reliable, everyone who says xxx brand is perfect will be shot down by someone else who has had bad luck with the same brand.

Best advice I can give is buy something with a good warranty and never use it to hold something that can't be replaced via another drive.

[ik9000]

It's read only because it is faulty, they do this to preserve any data for you to recover before you destroy or RMA it.

if it keeps happening then that may be his only route.

[Kumagoro]

You could try reflashing the firmware.

I have had kick doing this with sticks which report as being 0 bytes and have a strange name for the driver.

Finding the right software for it is not easy though and mostly on a Russian site.

[GoNz0]

You could try reflashing the firmware.

I have had kick doing this with sticks which report as being 0 bytes and have a strange name for the driver.

Finding the right software for it is not easy though and mostly on a Russian site.

Brings back memories of the 1st batch of Corsair Survivors, They were based on an utterly shocking chipset that used to crap out if you farted in the same room as the stick!

I had to reflash that at least 30 times

[Giraffe]

There are various ways of doing it, Google is your friend. e.g. http://ccm.net/forum/affich-801310-r...using-diskpart

Just follow the instructions carefully and make sure you use the right drive letter. NB this will erase the disk so make sure everything is backed up.

Thanks for this. It told me that RO had been cleared then the next command said that it was WP!

I'll destroy it now. One problem with data on this medium is that it can't be removed/overwritten/formatted and it mustn't escape!

[snedger]

Brings back memories of the 1st batch of Corsair Survivors, They were based on an utterly shocking chipset that used to crap out if you farted in the same room as the stick!

I had to reflash that at least 30 times

Beanz?

GonZ0 - just spotted that you are in Derby - having a lovely week visiting your fine city on a course - unfortunately not residential. Off to Seven for lunch again today - a hidden gem me thinks.