Clearing a thumb drive.

[bawldiggle]

In the past I have re-formatted thumb drives to remove all data.
I know "delete" actually lists the delete file/folder in the hidden "Recycle bin" on the thumb drive.

Recently I had to verify a WD portable USB HD and one of the features on the WD tool was to ... (this is where I am out of my depth) ... replace all segments/bits (?) with zeros.

What is (if there is one) the best way to clear a thumb drive ?
I want to re-use the thumb drives with 5GB data for 6 months storage
Security is not an issue.

any thoughts, thank you

 

[AddRAM]

Just format it as usual.

 

[carwiz]

If you're not concerned about security, use the quick format. It takes only a few seconds.

 

[LMiller7]

Be aware that flash drives are not sufficiently reliable to be used as a backup media. They should be used primarily as a transport media.

 

[bawldiggle]

LMiller7

How about for temp data read/write and saved to a external HD at days end.
All my data is TXT files, 4,500 files ... total <3GB

Thanks

 

[LMiller7]

In addition to the reliability issues of flash drives there is also the problem that the device may be lost, stolen, or physically damaged. Ideally you should never be in a situation where a flash drive contains the only copy of important files. Of course that may not always be possible.

Some people seem to be under the impression that flash drives never fail. I heard on another forum where a flash drive was used to contain the work of several individuals over the period of about a year. It appears that in all that time no one ever made a backup. The drive failed.

 

[bawldiggle]

Hi LMiller7
Thank you for your input

Currently I use a USB portable HD to hold a variety of data in TXT files (read/write every day) + a lot of PC tools (mostly read only, except for the odd INI file)
The portable-HD is moved between 2 laptops + 4 rigs + off site PCs
90% of my time is accessing the TXt files, 10% with PC tools

The portable HD has been going to sleep within about 3 minutes, despite Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Power Options\Edit Plan Settings ... (on my web-laptop)

Plugged in:= 1 hour
On Battery:= 15 minutes​

The portable-HD has been analysed with Western Digital Data Lifeguard Diagnostics - DLGDIAG for Windows which I believe only tests the disc including the spinup/spindown "times" (as opposed to disc mechanicals). I have read if a portable HD fails, the disc cannot be rescued/read. Unlike external mains powered HDs.

My PC tools are about 30MB of files, while about 2.5GB of TXT files (and a few PDFs)
All up 8GB is plenty of storage for my IT needs -- the portable HD at 256GB is huge (current use <2% capacity)

The portable HD is backed up every day, because of my suspicions that "something is not quite right".
Atleast 5 times in a day the portable HD disconnects itself, and saving open files have to be handled with kidd-gloves. Saving cannot be rushed else the risk of lost data.
The cost of portable HDs is about au$90/120 for something decent and then they are 500GB/1TB (way overkill)
To add complications the portable-HD is connected to a mains powered hub (a cheapie)
All my thumb drives are dated with external tags, and binned after 2 years. I have had thumb drives still working after 5-6 years. But at $8 each they are cheap vs cost of portable HDs.

I am considering thumb drives with a discard period of 6 months (obviously backed up every day onto HD)
I always backup entire devices, I do not cherry pick what I "think" I have altered.

Hope this all makes sense
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This thread has now unintentionally melded into my thread External HD goes to sleep