Storing Data on a USB Flash Drive.docVIP

Storing Data on a USB Flash Drive What is a Flash Drive? Pen Drive, Key Drive, Jump Drive, Thumb Drive---these names are all synonymous with the name “flash drives”. A flash drive is simply a memory chip with some circuitry that allows the computer to recognize it as a portable memory storage device. When plugged into the USB slot it configures itself automatically. They are self contained and normally made in such a way that you can add them to you keychain. Since laptops and desktops normally have an open USB port, you can easily transfer data to and from your computer without any special software or hardware. Are all Flash Drives the same? Functionality remains the same, although some are mini-sized while others are micro-sized. Some come with short USB jumper cables and/or carrying straps and clips. There is a variety of drive capacities ranging in storage capacities from 8MB to 8GB, and varying in price from $10.00 to $150.00 as of Sept. 2006. What makes a Flash Drive so good? Flash drives are advantageous to our aging mobile storage devices like floppy disks because flash drives are more durable and versatile, have more storage space, have more reliable file systems, smaller and more compact designs, and they have a file system that loads faster. Using your flash drive to save data on a Mac. Using a Mac, insert your flash drive into one of the USB ports shown below. Once you have copied the files to the Flash Drive, drag the flash drive icon to the Trash. The Mac will “NOT” tell you that the Flash Drive is now ready to remove. The Drive icon will disappear from the desktop. One the icon is gone, You can remove the drive from the USB port. Using your flash drive to save data on a Personal Computer. Using a PC, insert your flash drive into one of the USB ports shown below. Once you have your flash drive inserted into the USB Slot, the computer should recognize it as a new drive and an icon will pop up on your desktop. To view the items already on your flash