How long does a USB KeyFOB Last?

[Justin]

For instance, if I write a bunch of junk on a USB key, and just let it
sit in a box somewhere - how long will it last?
A year?

 

[Rod Speed]

For instance, if I write a bunch of junk on a USB key, and just let it sit in a box somewhere - how long will it last?

There is no nice tidy time.

Any device can fail. The obvious protection is to use more than one if the data matters.

A year?

There isnt any time if the device doesnt fail.

 

[Harry331]

Justin wrote...

For instance, if I write a bunch of junk on a USB key, and just let it
sit in a box somewhere - how long will it last?
A year?

I have a 500 MB USB key sitting for more than 3 years, still working.
Now I am using a 8GB USB key intead, and don't bother the 500 MB one.

 

[Arno]

For instance, if I write a bunch of junk on a USB key, and just let it
sit in a box somewhere - how long will it last?
A year?

Typical Vendor statement for MLC FLASH chips is 10 years.
Of course your key manufacturer may have bought substndard
stock.

Arno

 

[Barry OGrady]

Justin wrote...


I have a 500 MB USB key sitting for more than 3 years, still working.
Now I am using a 8GB USB key intead, and don't bother the 500 MB one.

How long will stored core memory retain data?

Barry
=====
Home page
http://members.iinet.net.au/~barry.og

 

[Rod Speed]

Barry OGrady wrote

(e-mail address removed)_ (Harry331) wrote

How long will stored core memory retain data?

Until an EMP that coincides with the end of the world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_pulse

But hard finding 8GB stacks tho.

 

[Rod Speed]

Rod Speed wrote

Unlike magnetic and optical media there is no
obvious mechanism why a USB stick should fail
except from failure of the components on the
sticks PCB associated with reading and writing.

Just as true of core memory. Main problem with it is that
its a hell of a lot more expensive per GB than a USB stick.

With magnetic media reliability is more to do with
the data processing components, than gradual
loss of the magnetic domains on the platters.

Not true of the core memory being discussed.

 

[Eric Gisin]

I thought flash memory had a limited lifetime -- that is bitrot occurs over the years??

 

[Rod Speed]

I thought flash memory had a limited lifetime -- that is bitrot occurs over the years??

Thats only with writing, not true of not writing, just sitting in a drawer etc.