Question If a Flash-Drive isn't ejected properly does it affect its reliability in the future?

[|galen|]

Say an USB Flash-Drive isn't ejected properly and some files on it are damaged as a result. Say then that same Drive is formatted. Will that accident it had previously cause it malfunction in the future then, even after having been formatted?

 

[zinkles]

Say an USB Flash-Drive isn't ejected properly and some files on it are damaged as a result. Say then that same Drive is formatted. Will that accident it had previously cause it malfunction in the future then, even after having been formatted?

"malfunction" in the sense?

No, it's the files that are damaged by incorrectly ejecting a USB/failing to eject a USB.

While in some RARE cases the USB's internal electronics could get damaged, and it could malfunction in the future or not work at all, but this is very very unlikely and I doubt this will happen to any USB other than some cheap garbage.

 

[|galen|]

"malfunction" in the sense?

No, it's the files that are damaged by incorrectly ejecting a USB/failing to eject a USB.

While in some RARE cases the USB's internal electronics could get damaged, and it could malfunction in the future or not work at all, but this is very very unlikely and I doubt this will happen to any USB other than some cheap garbage.

Ok. Thanks.

Oh, also, you mentioned "failing to eject", which has happened to me before—just got a message that said something like it was still being used by some programmes—if this happens, is the Drive still fine so long as I don't actually pull it out, then solve the problem of it failing to eject properly, then pull it out? I shut-down my PC if it fails to eject, then pull it out while the PC's off.

 

[Ralston18]

Make and model USB flash drive? Capacity?

Take a look in Reliability History/Monitor and Event Viewer for any related error codes, warnings, or informational events when the USB Flash Drive failed to eject.

You can also use Task Manager and Resource Monitor to look for what apps, utilities, etc.. may be using the flash drive.

Windows may be attempting to index the drive, scan for viruses, backup the drive etc..

How full is the flash drive? Windows could be looking for space on the drive.

You can also use Task Manager and Resource Monitor to look for what apps, utilities, etc.. may be using the flash drive.

 

[iTRiP]

Make and model USB flash drive? Capacity?

Take a look in Reliability History/Monitor and Event Viewer for any related error codes, warnings, or informational events when the USB Flash Drive failed to eject.

You can also use Task Manager and Resource Monitor to look for what apps, utilities, etc.. may be using the flash drive.

Windows may be attempting to index the drive, scan for viruses, backup the drive etc..

How full is the flash drive? Windows could be looking for space on the drive.

You can also use Task Manager and Resource Monitor to look for what apps, utilities, etc.. may be using the flash drive.

Definitively what Ralston18 just said above, and also to at least close all Windows that which are open for the flash drive in question's directory.

This will prevent corruption or data loss, I've seen this happen a few times, luckily Windows has a repair function if such a corrupted drive is inserted in the pc again, and by what I've seen such an USB drive runs perfectly fine after such a repair, But more than that I can't say, maybe there's some more insight into that.

 

[iTRiP]

Ok. Thanks.

Oh, also, you mentioned "failing to eject", which has happened to me before—just got a message that said something like it was still being used by some programmes—if this happens, is the Drive still fine so long as I don't actually pull it out, then solve the problem of it failing to eject properly, then pull it out? I shut-down my PC if it fails to eject, then pull it out while the PC's off.

It almost sounds to me that by your description, is something that used to happen on older Windows before, these things aren't a problem anymore with having to eject a removable drive manually before physically removing said USB or other removable drive on the latest version of Windows.

Besides that, answering your question, I know that I had USB drives that where corrupted by ejecting them wrong but after repairing by windows function or formatting, they still work or run fine, but it be best to avoid such less you want to go buy new drives all the time to properly remedy such.

 

[|galen|]

@Ralston18 Thanks.

 

[|galen|]

@iTRiP Samsung's "Magician" software has a tool that can fully scan an External-Drive—well, for Samsung External-SSDs at least—to check its health; does that sound like that would be a fairly comprehensive check to you?

 

[iTRiP]

@iTRiP Samsung's "Magician" software has a tool that can fully scan an External-Drive—well, for Samsung External-SSDs at least—to check its health; does that sound like that would be a fairly comprehensive check to you?

I suppose, But personally I don't use such software myself.