On Thu, 17 May 2018 09:12:54 -0400, Doomsdrzej wrote:

On Thu, 17 May 2018 07:49:55 +1000, Peter Jason wrote:

I have many USB2 & USB3 going back 10+ years, and
now some are "socket specific" on my 10 YO
computer motherboard (some USB3s will work on some
sockets; even USB2 sockets) and not others.

Do these thumb drives last forever, or should
their contents be transferred to the latest USB
drives?

Theoretically, they should last a long time but a lot can destroy them
like moisture and a seemingly miniscule amount of bending. I'd
transfer their contents to more recent, faster USB keys.

I have had two fail on me. If you store them in your pocket,
make sure that they are capped and that the cap can not easily come
off. Pocket lint and bits do not treat them well. That seems to be
have nailed one.

If you want to be very careful with them, try a pill bottle. I
have used the plastic, childproof-top variety to very good effect.
Attaching a lanyard to the bottle and a beltloop is also useful.

Sincerely,

Gene Wirchenko