I've heard before that running apps from flash memory can provide serious wear and tear on the memory. Since flash degrades after a certain number of writes/erasures, and since programs generally right to disk rather frequently (e.g., save settings), running the apps will utilimately lead to an accelerated death. Are the portable versions specifically designed not to do this? Are there any other issues like this I should be aware of?
Much obliged.
-Brian
Visit the Community page
Join our forums
Subscribe to our email newsletter
Subscribe with RSS
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on LinkedIn
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Mastodon
Follow us on BlueSky
Basically there are less writes allowed than reads, but still around 100000 writes are possible to each sector. Modern drives have a load leveling algorithm so that writes get distributed equally over the whole drive, so the drive should be able to withstand a lot of use before it breaks.
The apps here have various things disabled by default to avoid needless writes, for example, Firefox doesn't store a cache, save history or save sessions by default to minimise the number of writes to the disk.
In short, yes there is a limit, but you should be OK!
So the bigger capacity the USB drive the longer it should last? More capacity means more sectors and with the sector management that you have mentioned each sector will be used less frequently?
but usually, bigger capacity just means you use it for a larger quantity of data and programs, so it may even out in practice. For identical use levels, though, you're probably right.
you used it for the same use, I would say so.
Quote from the Simpsons:
Lisa: In theory, it should work.
Homer: In theory? In theory? In theory, communism works, Lisa. In theory.
Lisa: *rolls eyes*
----
Ryan McCue
Santa: Ho Ho Ho!
Kim: Yes, thank you Santa, I am.
(Kath and Kim)
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
Why does Flash Memory fail eventually? How does it wear down? How many years, with typical use should a USB drive work, and what are the typical symptoms of its eventual failure?
I've heard that with everyday use you can expect a flash drive to last about a year. This depends on to what extent you use the drive everyday. It's always best keep a current backup of everything on your drive though.
Been using my 1gig for over 2years now, everday, all day, for everything I do. My PC is basically a docking station for it.
And if with all this use it is still going strong.
...don't say that too loudly!
8)
Life is about the journey not the destination!
Live today like it is your last!
Home is the place where, when you have to go there, They have to take you in. - Robert Frost
\(^.^)/
Life is about the journey not the destination!
The Kazoo Spartan