Main Work Flash Drive Half-broken!

HarryPotter · Mar 22, 2026 at 7:23 PM

Hi! The flash drive I've been using for most of my drive half-broke recently: the drive got loose while I was writing to it. I say "half-broke" because it's still usable but very slow. I've copied stuff off it, but the process took hours for only a little of it. I scanned the drive for errors on two different computers, but the process got stuck at about 2/3 complete for hours, and clicking Cancel did nothing. The computers shut down properly, though.

plodr · Mar 23, 2026 at 9:19 AM

You seem to have a high rate of Flash Drive problems. (I have about 5 dozen different brands and sizes and only ever had trouble with one of them and that was my fault. I formatted it with the HP tool and have been using it ever since I managed to break it. )

You need to buy a USB cable like this

It is a 6" (15 cm). One side is male and the other female USB A. I'd post the Amazon one but I'm in the US and you are in the UK so what I'd post would not help you.
I have several and keep one attached all the time to the flash drive I use almost daily. It takes the strain off the connector on the flash drive.

Be sure you get a cable with one female connector and one male connector. It can be longer than 24cm but the short length makes it more manageable to keep on the USB stick all the time.

HarryPotter · Mar 23, 2026 at 9:50 AM

Thank you, but I don't know what it can do. I need to do more copying off the broken flash drive. BTW, I live in the U.S.

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Main Work Flash Drive Half-broken!

HarryPotter MajorGeek

plodr MajorGeek Super Extraordinaire Moderator Staff Member

HarryPotter MajorGeek