Jump to content

Usb Flash Drives

thecraft

By thecraft
in The Off-Topic Bar

Recommended Posts

thecraft Senior Enthusiast

thecraft

Posted
Posted

Alright, I know this is a truck forum, but this is the only forum I frequent and I know some of you guys have computer smarts.

 

Sometime between now and Spring I'm hoping to replace my Pioneer DEH-P4700MP head unit with something that has a USB input, most likely the new Pioneer DEH-P6000UB. I want to have my entire music collection at my fingertips, no more swapping CD-RWs. There are tons of flash drives out there, I'm just looking for one for a reasonable price and one that will be in it for the long haul. I'm looking for a flash drive that is:

 

- Compatible with Windows 98SE, I see a lot of manufacturers aren't even making drivers for this "ancient" OS.

- At least 8GB capacity, 16GB if possible.

- Comes with or can be formatted to FAT32.

- No more than $80 for 8GB, $140 at most for 16GB.

- Durable, it's going to be mostly in my glovebox/ashtray for probably the next three or four years.

- Somewhat fast, this one's not nearly as important, I don't need ReadyBoost speeds, but I don't need memories of floppy disks coming back either.

 

Any recommendations? What do you guys use? Right now, I'm looking at Corsair's Survivor at NewEgg, a bit pricey, but looks like it's built like a brick s***house. That's kind of hard to say when I know Corsair's Voyagers are known to snap in half...

Chestah Senior Enthusiast

Chestah

Posted
Posted

Just get a flash drive with plenty of space and a good warranty. They're cheap. What I would be worried about is finding a head unit that is compatibile with over 2 GB of flash memory.

 

 

Edit:

 

Also, have you considered mounting an external hard drive and running a usb cable? That is what I eventually want to do.

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted

I have several Sandisk USB 2.0 Flash Drives that I use to swap large files to my home office from my actual office that is 55 miles away. They are 4 gig and I have left them in my truck on really hot days without any sign of failures. I don't leave them in there for days though... not sure what that will do to them long term. Everything I have right now runs XP Pro so I am not sure about the OS compatibility. Might be hard to find a Win 98 driver. I don't think Win 98 will even support USB 2.0 (but most flash drives will work on USB 1.1).

 

I'd look around on the Egg and read up on the manufacturer's sites to be sure.

omegafiler Senior Enthusiast

omegafiler

Posted
Posted

Just about any USB flash drive will work, especially for MP3 playback. If it's a flash drive it'll last forever, very durable (ie. shock resistant), and they can take quite a bit of heat/cold. Just about all of them have a minimum operating temp of 32F and the Max can be anywhere from 95 to over 140 degrees. Just check out the specs on the manufactures website if you really want to know what it'll handle.

 

newegg, buy.com, and amazon are good places to start looking.

 

EDIT: Oh, and upgrade to XP. seriously. :(

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted
EDIT: Oh, and upgrade to XP. seriously. :(

 

For sure. I think your biggest issue is going to be Win98. I don;t think many drivers are going to be available for Win98 and that OS is known for really limiting the size of data transfer. (Meaning a 2 gig drive might work but a 4 gig might not) You might have to camp out waiting for it to load your files.

thecraft Senior Enthusiast

thecraft

Posted
  • Author
Posted
EDIT: Oh, and upgrade to XP. seriously. :(

 

For sure. I think your biggest issue is going to be Win98. I don;t think many drivers are going to be available for Win98 and that OS is known for really limiting the size of data transfer. (Meaning a 2 gig drive might work but a 4 gig might not) You might have to camp out waiting for it to load your files.

I knew that was coming. I'm planning on upgrading soon, it's just one of those things I really don't care about when it does get done.

 

Also, have you considered mounting an external hard drive and running a usb cable? That is what I eventually want to do.

That's what I was planning on doing first since it seems to be the best memory-to-dollar ratio. But I don't think a hard drive will survive as much abuse as a flash drive would. Plus, I don't know if my head unit would be able to power the hard drive either.

-Devil- Enthusiast

-Devil-

Posted
Posted

most external drives have a seperate power source ... you can pick up one of the smaller ones that is made for notebooks (IE alittle higher on the abuse scale) ... and fix it someplace solid .. like inside glovebox or console with some padding around it... and it should be good to go ...

 

i have an old school ipod that stays in my truck 24/7 ... and hasn't had an issue yet .. (only once when new .. it is cursed with a loose connection inside the unit... nothing a good whack on the table didnt fix) ...

BigJayDogg3 Senior Enthusiast

BigJayDogg3

Posted
Posted

Hard drive units are more sensitive. I haven't done much research into the whole thing, but if you do get this, and your collection is anything like mine, I'd say bugger the cost and get the biggest flash drive you can find. If you think of it as never having to buy blank CDs again, the drive will pay for itself in a few years.

 

As it has been said, overcoming 98 will be your biggest problem. But I can't talk much I just upgraded from 95 myself this summer. But the old thing never got used until it was time to type a report or something, so I didn't care . . .much.

omegafiler Senior Enthusiast

omegafiler

Posted
Posted

Yeah, avoid those notebook drives. They still have spinning/moving parts that fail ALL the time. Flash based is the way to go, especially if it'll be in a vehicle or moved around quite a bit. However... they do now have flash based notebook drives (solid state drives). :eek:

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • Atlas
      Wow I'm in a pickle. (Broke down truck) and a story.

      By Atlas · Posted

      Why don't I have a good scanner? I've always wanted one when I've needed one.   My latest reading says I don't need to do a relearn on the ckp sensor on a 1995 with OBD 1.5. The relearn is prescribed for the later-model 1995's which shipped with actual OBD II when GM completed the transition in prep for the 1996 MY. I need to confirm that. Did you know forums are disappearing? Knuckleheads on Facebook... it's not the same. It's just not.   So, scanners. Again, shooting myself in the foot for having eBayed my Snap On MT2500 "brick" with all the adapters. Not that I couldn't buy another but those are getting quite old, and mine wasn't new enough to work on 2000's vehicles.   Damn it (as I'm scanning my email between paragraphs here). Did you know there's a 2000 Jimmy 2-door on BaT that's ending this morning? It's local. I want it. 14k miles. Absolutely beautiful.   Back to scanners. MT2500's are old. Solus, now that could be a contender. There's a ~2008 Verus with a system error that's basically new in box for cheap. Hmm...I'm not sure about a scanner that runs an archaic version of windows (95 or CE, I can't tell).   I want the ability to reset and rotate TPMS, test individual modules, bleed ABS, electronic parking brake controls for servicing brakes, relearn procedures and other bidirectional controls.   Snap On does an MT2600. It's a new model as of last year, marketed as their "entry" scanner. Entry? Only where $1900 gets you through the doorway plus, I'm guessing, $1000/year if you wish to keep it current. So goes scan tools actually designed for production environments. Want decent products with excellent support, you pay for it.   Everyone is raving about Autels and TopDons and Foxconns and all these newer brands that are selling the $500 "prosumer" scanners for backyard hacks like me. They're tempting...honestly. Updates are cheaper, base prices are remarkably cheaper... And you get to deal with bugs and translation whoopsies and, well, just don't use it on anything expensive, OK? Having a dealer replace an ECU because it needs to be re-imaged after an adventure in scanning is no joke. But I think most people are getting by OK with these units.   eBay on a scratch-and-sniff pro-model oldie, a shiny new TopDon, or???   God dang it, I can't stop looking at this Jimmy. I'm ready! I'll Bring The TRailer! It's beautiful.
    • Texasdeere
      What have you done to your K2 today?

      By Texasdeere · Posted

      I removed the OE running boards.  It looked so much better.  I wish I took them off a long time ago.     I had to put something back on for my wife.  I wanted Westin Sure Grip Running Boards but they are very pricey, like $600 plus.  I was going to go with the Ionic 41's like I had on the 2019 Silverado but went with Westin Outlaw Drop Steps instead, about $200 cheaper.  They are sturdy and functional but not super crazy about the look, but it works.  
    • Atlas
      Gas Prices

      By Atlas · Posted

      It's all a crock of 💩
    • fondupot
      Disable DRL's

      By fondupot · Posted

      I had a Gen5DIY DRL relocate harness from a 2022 1500 that I saved. I had Gen5DIY modify the harness for my 2024 Silverado 2500. Plug n Play, worked perfectly.    Here's a video I made for the 2022 1500 truck. The install is more or less the same on a 2500.    The harness relocates the DRL tot he top amber turn signal on my 2500.     
    • CamGTP
      Gas Prices

      By CamGTP · Posted

      Can ask that about a lot of places.   Holiday sells 91 for $1 over 87 octane. BP 93 is 80 cents. Amoco 93 is 80 cents Kwik Trips is $1.20 for 92 or whatever they have and $1 for the 91.   I know that this is not exactly same as what you are saying with the premium to premium debate of those two stations but why is there such a difference. Top Tier this and that, it's all BS. All the fuel comes from the same damn refinery, so give me a break.

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...