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Thread ID: 77007 2007-02-23 18:00:00 Flash Drive JJJJJ (528) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
527465 2007-02-23 18:00:00 I am going to buy a USB flash drive, but I know exactly nothing about them.
I am looking at a 2 gig or even bigger. There seems to be a great difference in price between some of them. Why? What is the best brand?

To use them , can I just drag and drop. Same as with a floppy disk?
Or do I need special software as with a DVD?

Do they copy ZIP files accurately?

How do I copy from the FD back to my computer?

I have given up on DVD's because I can't be bothered trying to get Nero and others to work properly.

Is the FD truely drag and drop?

An answer from a user would be very welcome. But not from someone who gets his info. from advertisements. I can read them myself.
JJJJJ (528)
527466 2007-02-23 18:21:00 they work just like another drive plugged into the pc you can copy ANY file to/from it quite easily with drag'n'drop......very simple to use no software needed unless you want to use it on win98 drcspy (146)
527467 2007-02-23 19:08:00 It'll also appear under sendto in my computer.

Just make sure u eject them before u remove them. After you've written to them.

Or else it can stuff things up.

As soon as u plug in it it'll show the contents of it. Yup, you copy as if it were a floppy.

I use an U3 1GB flash drive here. Only diff with this one is it can be made bootable (like most of them, and if the system supports booting from them that is), and it'll act as a floppy. I use it instead of a floppy. Floppies are pretty much obselete these days.

And the U3 side of it, specially made programs can be installed on it (some free, some arent), u can install these programs on it, they dont go anywhere near the PC/nothing gets entered into the registry. Once you've finished with whatever program, and once u remove it, there's no trace of the program on the main hdd (since its on the flash drive).

And the USB bit is retractable. To protect it while its not in use.
Speedy Gonzales (78)
527468 2007-02-23 19:28:00 At Dick Smith, the DSE ones are the cheapest. pcuser42 (130)
527469 2007-02-23 19:47:00 Yeah they're a joy to use and simplicity itself. As mentioned the only precaution is to click the icon to "remove" the drive before you physically remove it.

And a recommendation from me and many other PF1 users is http://www.flashcards.co.nz/ to get one from.
Greg (193)
527470 2007-02-23 21:31:00 Also please do not confuse a flash card with a pen drive.

Greg's link points you directly to where you can find storage for your camera, mobile phone etc.

When you buy a pen drive make sure you disconnect it properly after use.

Another link which hopefully will help.

www.flashcards.co.nz
Sweep (90)
527471 2007-02-23 21:46:00 Yes Jack, they really are that simple to use, just like a floppy disk . Drag and drop files both ways (to and from the flash drive), no special software to use, transfer any file type you like, yadda yadda yadda .

I've got two, a 256MB and 512MB drive, both Adata from Ascent and would not be without them now . Have had no problems from either of them except for one occasion when I left it plugged in when booting Linux a long time ago . The drive got wiped and had to be reformatted before use again . Just as well I had nothing on it that wasn't also on the hard drive .

The other thing to watch is as has already been mentioned - use the "Safely Remove Hardware" before removing it .

Buy from Ascent or Flash Cards (http://www . flashcards . co . nz/) and you can't go wrong .
FoxyMX (5)
527472 2007-02-23 21:58:00 Is this what I want? What is the MicroMate Reader bit?

Memory Stick Pro Duo, 2GB, with MicroMate Reader
JJJJJ (528)
527473 2007-02-23 22:01:00 Also please do not confuse a flash card with a pen drive.Good point. I guess he's referring to a USB pen/thumb drive. Greg (193)
527474 2007-02-23 22:03:00 Is this what I want? What is the MicroMate Reader bit?

Memory Stick Pro Duo, 2GB, with MicroMate ReaderHaven't the foggiest idea about the MicroMate thing, but yeah, without looking it up it sounds like the right thing for what we guess you want it for.
Greg (193)
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