skip to main content

2 questions: flash drive & burning

17 years ago

What exactly is a flash drive? My step mother in law mentioned that she had one but didn't say too much other than she puts her pics on it. If that's the case, could you erase your pics (like mine are in Kodak EasyShare) afterwards to free up space on computer? Can music files be put on it too? Is it like something to use to back up your files then you could put it back on your computer (or a different one) when or if needed?

Never done this before but I had considered trying to burn pics/slideshow to a cd for my mom for Mother's Day. She doesn't have a computer but does have a dvd/cd player that I got her a couple of years ago at Christmas. But that wouldn't work would it? I mean, you need a computer to be able to play that? My Windows XP does not have a dvd burner; but does have a cd burner, which the last time I tried using that (Roxio) for making a music cd, it would keep looking like it's working then would just quit saying something was wrong with the disc I was using (new ones)...ended up giving up on it.

Thanks for info!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

Pooh Bear
17 years ago
A flash drive plugs into a USB port and shows up in
My Computer as a removable disk drive. You can use it
just like you would use a hard drive. They are very
handy for moving files from one computer to another.
Sizes go all the way up to 64 gigabytes.

Sometimes called a jump drive or a thumb drive.
Small enough to carry around in a shirt pocket.
My 8 gig drive could go on a key ring.

Pooh Bear

Here is a link that might be useful: Flash Drive - Wikipedia
bpgreen
17 years ago
I wouldn't use a flash drive as my only backup, though. Not too long ago, somebody posted a question asking what to do if they snapped the connector off and it had their only backup of something.
Related Discussions
Flash Drive won't connect to USB Hub
Q
Comments (8)
Take a look at the rather long article linked below, it may offer some help. When reading this take a closer look at the photo where he/she has the front connector plugs that fits on the motherboard and his hand showing. You see those 2 connectors off to the left? There really seems to be no place for those on some motherboard yet they need to be connected. Near the end of the article is a troubleshooter Here is a link that might be useful: Front USB connections
...See More
? Re: Kingston 1 GB High Speed Flash Drive
Q
Comments (26)
you should be able to right click on the folder itself and select delete, you should be able to drag and drop items to and from the flash drive. The most important thing is to always remember never ever remove anything like a flash drive until you have clicked the remove safely icon down in your systray and select which item you want to disconnect from your pc and wait till it says it is safe to remove. Not doing that can really mess stuff up. I have no idea why it would change the order unless did it perhaps put them in alphabetical order? if you right click start then explore and open your explorer tree find the drive letter assigned to the flash drive then from the right pane you should be able to drag and drop anything into that drive and in the same manner remove stuff from that drive. Or go to my computer find that drive select it and view what is on it and manipulate the data. When you select a picture on the flash drive and right click on it do you not have options listed there as to how you want it to open?
...See More
USB Flash Drive
Q
Comments (28)
fwiw; Sandisk has U3 Launchpad Removal Tool Removal instructions Can I remove U3 technology from my USB drive? Yes. To remove the U3 technology from the drive, simply go to the U3 Launchpad and, under Settings, select U3 Launchpad settings and click Uninstall. This will completely remove the U3 Launchpad from the drive. Can I restore U3 technology after removing it? Yes. SanDiskÂs U3 website features a U3 Launchpad Installer utility that you can use to re-install the U3 Launchpad on the Cruzer smart drive.
...See More
Is this flash drive a decent buy?
Q
Comments (8)
Your idea of using 2 thumb drives makes perfect sense. Then you always have 2 backups up to the point of the older copy. Not too much would be lost. Kingston has a respected name so you are doing good there too. Flash drive, thumb drive, memory stick all similar. However I have 2 what I call thumb or flash drives which are a one piece thing you simply plug in a USB port. I also have one which has a removeable memory card the same as those used in digital cameras. This also uses the USB port of course, I am not sure if it has any advantages over the one piece drives. We'll see what others think on the matter hopefully.
...See More
genes
17 years ago
Just as an add on. When using any of those USB storage devices and you want to pull it out, make sure you use the (Safe to disconnect hardware) icon down by the clock. Green check mark.
Otherwise, you run the risk to damaging the "thumbdrive" or the USB post
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
17 years ago
I have lots of them, I use them all the time. You can put files or pics or what ever you want on them from your computer to save or to transfer from one place to another, I use them to move certain files from one of my computers to another.
I also have one I carry that has all my portable apps on it so if I go somewhere and need to use a pc, I just stick my flash drive in and I have my firefox on it set up just like I want it, and lots of other applications even antivirus programs are made for portable use.
They are some what fragile so you have to take care of them, I have a nice padded wallet made just for them I bought to keep them together and protected.

as to your question about burning pictures to cd for her to view on her player there are a lot of variables there, if you use the right type of cd if she has a player that will play that type of cd if her player will play picture files, in some cases yes it can work.
grandms
17 years ago
If her player plays both DVD and CDs, you should be able to burn the pictures to a CD. Not all players play both formats, however. Mine only plays DVDs.
susieq07
17 years ago
I burn DVD's CD's all the time, I use Windows Movie Maker for slideshow's I have made a DVD of Xmas decorating added xmas music burned and sent to family, also added a greeting from us..and also have my photo's on a flash drive and online at a free storage box..I also have burned doz.'s of music CD's 80min on each all done for Free from various websites I've found, and they are full wavs not midi's..the first CD I made of photo's came in very handy for our ins. company after a hurricane did damage to our home & our Rv.. I had the before & after photo's to show them..note: the DVD-R play's in more players (older ones) then the newer DVD+'s do and if you use a DVD R or CD R you can only write/burn once, the CD or DVD RW is a re-write and you can do over again..

Related Stories

HOME OFFICES Organize Photos in a Flash

By Bneato Professional Organizing

You post them, email them, maybe even print them out. But if your digital and printed photos are all lumped together, it's time to organize

ORGANIZING Pre-Storage Checklist: 10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Store

By Laura Gaskill

Wait, stop. Do you really need to keep that item you’re about to put into storage?

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Flashes of Industrial Style in a Modern-Rustic Dream Home

By Laura Garner

In this picture-perfect getaway, you can sleep under the stars without leaving your bed — and heated brick floors keep toes warm

SELLING YOUR HOUSE 15 Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Real Estate Agent

By Laura Gaskill

Here’s what you should find out before selecting an agent to sell your home

MOVING Hiring a Home Inspector? Ask These 10 Questions

By Christine Tusher

How to make sure the pro who performs your home inspection is properly qualified and insured, so you can protect your big investment

FIREPLACES Updated Woodstoves Keep Home Fires Burning

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

Better technology means more efficiency than ever for modern woodstoves

KITCHEN DESIGN 10 Big Space-Saving Ideas for Small Kitchens

By Laura Gaskill

Feeling burned over a small cooking space? These features and strategies can help prevent kitchen meltdowns

LIFE How to Navigate an Extended Guest Stay

By Alison Hodgson

Keep sharing living quarters a positive experience by pondering the answers to these questions in advance

BATHROOM DESIGN See 2 DIY Bathroom Remodels for $15,500

By Mitchell Parker

A little Internet savvy allowed this couple to remodel 2 bathrooms in their Oregon bungalow

HOME TECH Why Google Just Paid $3.2 Billion for a Company That Makes Thermostats

By Mitchell Parker

Smart home technology just got a new champion — and everyone is speculating about the reasons

Sponsored

Peabody Landscape Group

8 Reviews

Columbus' Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting

More Discussions

Tired of MS Office 365 Monthly Fees?

1