[cyberknight]

Hiii Guys, slowly getting back to the forums after a long break!! Glad to be here again

Anyways the 1st question is which brand to pick for a 16GB drive... usually i go for the hi-speed series of Transcend, but thats gonna be unavailiable for quite some time at the local store. So i'm left with Transcend JF500 or i could pick something from Kingston, Sony or Sandisk.
Now comes the bigger question... should i format the drive using NTFS or leave it to the default FAT32? What i'm looking for is higher write speeds. I did find that u could store indivisual files exceeding 4GB only using NTFS, but i have no such requirements. Also is it true that NTFS decreases the life of the pen drive?? I need speed but definitely not at the cost of device life.... Feel free to add any other advantages or disadvantages of NTFS.

[coastie65]

Hi and welcome back. I have been using Patriot Rage Flash Drives. I usually format in NTFS as that is what the files are in the computer. As for write sppeeds, those things are pretty fast.

[LiveBrianD]

NTFS tends to make more writes to the drive, so FAT/FAT32 is usually used. If the 4GB file size limit is an issue, try exFAT. (Note: you need to have the OS updated to read this - Vista SP1 and I think XP SP3, as well as 7 without SPs.)

For brand, I've had good luck with Sandisk.

This post has been edited by LiveBrianD: 18 October 2012 - 05:59 AM

[cyberknight]

Coastie: Hii there, I'll see if they got a patriot, lookin to wrap up within $12-13!
Live: Hiii, exFat did come to my notice, but i guess it is'nt widely used & could end up with compatibility issues. Though i have Win7 on all systems. BTW the only Sandisk they offered was Cruzer Blade, the usb head is always exposed!!

[LiveBrianD]

I forgot to mention that newer versions of OS X can also read the format.

The newer Sandisk drive I have had the USB connector hide in the drive when not in use, but it doesn't cover the contacts.

[cyberknight]

JF 500
Transcend JF500 also has that retractable usb connector. Good to get rid of the cap!

[Flashorn]

Hey Cyber !

The only time I use NTFS is when I use a USB for ReadyBoost. Other than that, I always leave them in the Fat32 format.

I have owned quite a few (and most are at my youngest as she copies stuff from my PC and takes it along with one of my USBs.
I have to hide them when she visits LOL!) and most were Sandisks. You have to be careful with some of the others as they
tend to exaggerate the write speeds. There is also the fact that, USB 2.0 is limited in write and read speed compared to USB 3.0

I have been using a Patriot Rage XT lately and it is relatively fast. It will on most transfers, write at about 25Mb/s.

My Sanddisks Cruzer write at 18Mb/s

The TravelMate by Kingston (from 2G to 16G) has write speeds of 18 Mb/s also.

Just bought a Supersonic Magnum from Patriot to go with the USB 3.0 that my new (if I can get it back) notebook sports.
I haven't tried out yet but, will let you know when I do.

One piece of advice for you, Do Not spend Any money on a Lexar of any size. I have two, one 16 and 32 and Both only
have write speeds of 5Mb/s or less. What a waste of money they were.

You could also maybe get a speed boost (write) if you plug the stick in a USB port and then, go to Device manager.
Locate the USB Flash Drive by expanding the Disk Drives and double click on the Drive in question.
Now, in "Policies", click on the Radio button that says "Performance" and click on the OK button on the bottom.




BE FOREWARNED THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO USE THE "SAFELY REMOVE DISK" OPTION WHEN REMOVING THE DRIVE FROM THE PC ALL THE TIME.

I use that option with all of my drives.



FLASHORN.

[cyberknight]

Hii Flash,
Unfortunately all of my ports are USB 2.0, so can't expect the write speed to hit double digits! Any info on Transcend?? I struck a deal for just $10, its the 16GB JetFlash500. I have a Kingston 8GB that gives around 5mbps, though i once used a transcend that hit little above 6mbps. Tough to fill a 16GB at this rate!
I'll try out the option u suggested.

[Flashorn]

Hey Cyber !

If you don't really need a 16G flash drive, I would suggest you get a
Patriot Xporter XT Rage.
Newegg has them for 12.00 bucks and I know you will be much happier
with the speed you'll get with this one than with the JF500.

BTW, the speeds I posted are in USB 2.0 and not 3.0 .

With the help of the tweak I mentioned, you should be able to get
double digit transfers. Just make sure to use the proper disconnect
method.

Opps, forgot to put up the link :

http://www.newegg.ca...SB-Flash-Drives


FLASHORN.

This post has been edited by Flashorn: 21 October 2012 - 07:21 PM

[cyberknight]

Thanks for the update Flash. What i did'nt mention was that my lappy, the one in my sign, is out of commission! Still can't believe that Sony failed to startup.... so i need this pen drive to get the data out of it (in safe mode). I could very well do with a 32GB, but decided to settle for a 16GB(anything less won't help) & buy a bunch of DVD's.
Anyways your suggestion works pretty good & i always use the "safely remove hardware" option. That Patriot Rage looks too good on the speed side. Coastie too suggested one. I'll check it out ... later, right now what i need definitely has to be a 16GB.

[Szczecinianin]

Usually it's FAT for pen drives and NTFS for hard drives as from Windows XP on NTFS is default here.  I use, with Win 7, my Intenso pen drive with FAT and so far so good. Also FAT is better as you can use your USB device with older OSs. You never know what you come across.      

[cyberknight]

Hey Flash, just got the Transcend 16GB. Your suggestion works just fine.... getting write speeds of upto 11Mbps!!

[Flashorn]

cyberknight, on 22 October 2012 - 06:05 AM, said:

Hey Flash, just got the Transcend 16GB. Your suggestion works just fine.... getting write speeds of upto 11Mbps!!

Hey Cyber !

Good to know it works for you also.

Just don't forget to use that disconnect method on all USB drives that you will be using this tweak on.
I know , I'm repeating myself (and it's not because of old age) but, if you don't , you will loose all data
on that drive and maybe (not sure here) you might have to format the drive again.

Now, try it on a External HDD and see the difference.

What happened to the Sony? did you get it to work again. If not, start a new thread and we will all take a
look at it (well, not literally).


FLASHORN.

This post has been edited by Flashorn: 22 October 2012 - 09:51 AM

[cyberknight]

When i got the lappy it was like my crown jewel... now its just a pain in my... u know what!! I tried everything short of jack hammering it... but all i could get it to do is boot in safe mode with networking. Right now its sitting on my desk... like an oversized paper weight. Yeah i'll start a new thread
The only thing i'm enjoying right now is the 16GB Transcend, nearly got all my data out...

[coastie65]

LiveBrianD, on 18 October 2012 - 05:58 AM, said:

NTFS tends to make more writes to the drive, so FAT/FAT32 is usually used. If the 4GB file size limit is an issue, try exFAT. (Note: you need to have the OS updated to read this - Vista SP1 and I think XP SP3, as well as 7 without SPs.)

For brand, I've had good luck with Sandisk.

I used Fat32 for a BiOS flash, but that is the only time I've used it. NTFS has worked well for me on other stuff.