USB Flash Drive

Welcome once again.

This blog discusses how to Insert, Open, and Eject Flash Drives. The USB flash drives are sometimes called USB drives, thumb drives or jump drives, or "Memory Sticks" (as when I was new to computers), and their use.

Instructions

1. Boot up your computer and find an open USB port.

• These are small, rectangular ports typically on the sides or backs of laptop computers, or on the fronts or backs of desktop towers.

• The blue colored ports are for 3.0 (data transfer rate) and the black colored are for 2.0; the 3.0 speed is faster, and gets the job done quicker.

2. Plug your flash drive into the USB port.

• Ensure the drive is inserted correctly, the wide blade on the computer goes opposite the wide blade on the device. Note: I have had a port short out because I tried to put the plug in upside down.

• Upon detection of the device; a menu should appear letting you know that it has found a new storage device.

• Some flash drives will install its driver which allows the computer to run the device.

• Choose an option from the menu or close the menu if you don't need to immediately access the flash drive.

• If the drive does not show up, it can be accessed from the file explorer icon on your start menu.

3. Install the flash drive's driver if your computer doesn't recognize the flash drive.

• The flash drive's packaging should include the manufacturer's website address.

• Open your Internet browser, go to that address, and download the flash drive's driver from the site.

• Install the driver on your computer.

4. To Eject the drive:

• In the lower right hand corner of the screen, left-click on the small up arrow for hidden icons.

• Hover over the "Safely Remove" icon and left-click on it.

• It displays the "Safe to Remove" icon.

• Do Not pull the device out without ejecting the device from the computer. The device can be damaged, data can be lost. Permanently!!

Tips & Warnings

• If your computer's location makes accessing USB ports difficult, you can purchase a USB cable to make the port more accessible.

• Plug the cable's jack into the computer's USB port and keep the opposite end of the cable in a convenient spot so you can plug your flash drive directly into it.

Problems or Errors

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Note: This link goes to a site that is not under my control. I apologize for the languange, it is not of me.