Recommend me a USB Flash Drive - Computing and Networks

AndyM · 22-09-2004, 18:38

I need a better way to transfer data to and from uni, so I'm looking to buy a USB Flash Drive. Can anyone recommend me one?

Ideally I'm looking for a 256Mb model, and willing to pay ~ £30.
I was looking at this PQI model from eBuyer - http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=59215
Also Amazon have a MPO model for £15.99 - cheapest I've seen - http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...254600-0975808 - although I guess its USB 1.1 and It doesn't have many details about it.

Does anyone have any experience using one of these on Windows 98? Most say they need a driver which shouldn't be a problem, but could be a headache if I need to install it everytime I use a different machine at uni. Are any available that will work straight off on Win98.

Also what about alternatives? I've considered using a card reader and media card which would allow expansion if I filled one card, but could get a bit unwieldy. I have an iPod which I've tried to use as external hard drive via USB but I couldn't get to work on the Windows 98 systems at uni. Is it possible?

johnthackeray · 22-09-2004, 19:34

with my experiance with pen drives with 98 u need to slap on the driver every time u use one, I used to do this and then i found a zip drive helped, me , dont know if this is of any use to you.

aos101 · 22-09-2004, 19:48

I use a 128MB memory stick for uni work and they are very useful. I did have a 32MB one which I used with Windows 98 and they should work fine with Win98 as long as you install the driver. As far as I know they all need a driver to work with Win98 as they need a driver for the device to work, and this driver comes already with Win2K and WinXP but not with 98 so you'll need the driver to get it to work on 98.

If all the systems at your uni are Win98 it could be rather difficult to get any USB memory/hard disk to work as they will need a driver installed which will not already come with Win98, and I assume they don't allow you to install software on the Win98 machines, so you may not even be able to run the driver installer software.

At my old school they had a Win98 network and we couldn't run the driver installer software, but I did manage to get it to work by installing the drivers on a Win98 machine (at home) and then copying the folder it installs to the Program Files folder to a floppy disk. I then copied this folder to my Network drive at school and then when you plug in the memory stick and the add new hardware wizard comes up I pointed it to the folder with the drivers on my network drive, and then the memory stick worked. But you had to do this every time you logged on as they had software to prevent you changing anything on the hard disk (undid any changes when you logged off). Unless you can get you system admins to install the drivers for the memory stick or other USB memory device to the computers for you, it will be difficult to use a memory stick with Win98 (in the network environment where you have limited privileges) as you'll have to install the drivers every time you log on.

Shepps · 22-09-2004, 19:51

This is the one i've got

As for Win98, no, you won't find any that'll work without drivers. The ones for mine fit on a floppy which is handy, but the annoyance is, as usual with Win98, you have to restart afterwards.

But a USB drives the best way to go.

AndyM · 22-09-2004, 19:53

I looked at Zip drives and it seemed the expensive option. All the computers at uni have zip drives but after I leave in 2 years it would go in the bin because I'd have no use for it. It would have to be an external drive to because I don't have any spare drive bays.

As for the drivers I don't think installing them will be a problem. I've seen a few people using them. I'll just keep the driver on my network drive space and point the add new hardware to there when I need it, but it could get a bit tedious.

Ignite · 22-09-2004, 20:19

I work at a uni. All of the student machines are XP completely locked down. They allow, no in fact they encorage the use of pen drives. However, external hard drives and zip drives are not supported and are on the list of things you are not allowed to connect to uni machines.

As far as spec goes, get a usb 2 pen drive. It is faster to transfer data on machines with this and will still work on an older usb 1 machine.

Cost wise, my local computer store is selling 128Mb for £15.99, 256Mb for £25.99, 512Mb for £45.99 and 1Gb for £75.99. All USB2 and prices inc VAT.

Andy

AndyM · 22-09-2004, 21:04

Thanks Andy,
Pen drives are definately allowed, it was my tutor who suggested getting one!
I think the majority of machines at uni are USB1.1 but mines USB2 so thats not desparately important.

Are there any brands people would recommend? There doesn't seem to be much to set one model apart from another.

fauntleroy · 22-09-2004, 22:14

I have a Sony Micro Vault which has been very reliable thus far (touch wood). It's USB 2 but connects perfectly happily to USB 1.1 ports.

As far as the original poster's question goes about using an iPod as an external drive under Win 98, I am pretty certain this won't work. You need at least Win 2000 SP4 (or any version of XP).

AndyM · 22-09-2004, 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by fauntleroy

As far as the original poster's question goes about using an iPod as an external drive under Win 98, I am pretty certain this won't work. You need at least Win 2000 SP4 (or any version of XP).

I've been having a better look at this tonight and the iPod will work under 98SE & ME - but its quite an involved process that I would need to do everytime I used a different machine. Hardly an ideal solution.

I've decided after reading a few reviews on the internet to get the PQI model I mentioned previously.

media guy · 22-09-2004, 23:01

I can't recommend this enough - http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/list...drives+storage

(price includes royal mail special delivery & lifetime warrenty)

Pingu · 22-09-2004, 23:32

That PQI one looks nice - I'm thinking of getting one myself.
At the moment I have a small MMC reader with a 16mb card in.

grays · 23-09-2004, 08:05

Agree with Media Guy I've got one of those as well and it's the Dog's danglies.

23-09-2004, 08:37

Yoy can get cheaper drives than the Crucial version which work ok but the "straight format" of the drive (like the Sony) is really handy if the USB ports are all squished up together and access is difficult.

Cheaper drives (up to 25% cheaper) are often fatter than these requiring the use of an adaptor cable. Which is not a problem but not quite as cool

AndyM · 29-09-2004, 21:36

Well I got the PQI model. Its extremely fast, reliable so far and tiny - what more could you want.

The bloody uni's only gone and upgraded to XP, so I could have used my iPod after all! Nevermind.

DEmmerson · 30-09-2004, 08:51

http://www.dabs.com/uk/Search2/Produ...=flash%20drive

£23.98 including delivery.

I expect flash drives to be even cheaper next month.

22-09-2004, 18:38	#1
AndyM Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Lincoln Services: Freeview \| Eclipse 8Mbps \| Soltek Qbic EQ3401M \| XP \| 54G Wifi \| Nokia n80 Posts: 1,620	Recommend me a USB Flash Drive I need a better way to transfer data to and from uni, so I'm looking to buy a USB Flash Drive. Can anyone recommend me one? Ideally I'm looking for a 256Mb model, and willing to pay ~ £30. I was looking at this PQI model from eBuyer - http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=59215 Also Amazon have a MPO model for £15.99 - cheapest I've seen - http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...254600-0975808 - although I guess its USB 1.1 and It doesn't have many details about it. Does anyone have any experience using one of these on Windows 98? Most say they need a driver which shouldn't be a problem, but could be a headache if I need to install it everytime I use a different machine at uni. Are any available that will work straight off on Win98. Also what about alternatives? I've considered using a card reader and media card which would allow expansion if I filled one card, but could get a bit unwieldy. I have an iPod which I've tried to use as external hard drive via USB but I couldn't get to work on the Windows 98 systems at uni. Is it possible?

22-09-2004, 19:34	#2
johnthackeray Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: N Yorks Services: Virgin Media, SkyHD, Thomson DTI 550, iMac, Xbox360, iPod Classic, iPhone Posts: 1,889	with my experiance with pen drives with 98 u need to slap on the driver every time u use one, I used to do this and then i found a zip drive helped, me , dont know if this is of any use to you.

22-09-2004, 19:48	#3
aos101 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kent Services: FreeView (Daewoo Setpal DS608P), DAB, NewNet Home 8050 S @ 8Mb/sec Posts: 393	I use a 128MB memory stick for uni work and they are very useful. I did have a 32MB one which I used with Windows 98 and they should work fine with Win98 as long as you install the driver. As far as I know they all need a driver to work with Win98 as they need a driver for the device to work, and this driver comes already with Win2K and WinXP but not with 98 so you'll need the driver to get it to work on 98. If all the systems at your uni are Win98 it could be rather difficult to get any USB memory/hard disk to work as they will need a driver installed which will not already come with Win98, and I assume they don't allow you to install software on the Win98 machines, so you may not even be able to run the driver installer software. At my old school they had a Win98 network and we couldn't run the driver installer software, but I did manage to get it to work by installing the drivers on a Win98 machine (at home) and then copying the folder it installs to the Program Files folder to a floppy disk. I then copied this folder to my Network drive at school and then when you plug in the memory stick and the add new hardware wizard comes up I pointed it to the folder with the drivers on my network drive, and then the memory stick worked. But you had to do this every time you logged on as they had software to prevent you changing anything on the hard disk (undid any changes when you logged off). Unless you can get you system admins to install the drivers for the memory stick or other USB memory device to the computers for you, it will be difficult to use a memory stick with Win98 (in the network environment where you have limited privileges) as you'll have to install the drivers every time you log on.

22-09-2004, 19:51	#4
Shepps Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ripon Services: Sky World, Freeview, Pipex Solo 500 Posts: 483	This is the one i've got As for Win98, no, you won't find any that'll work without drivers. The ones for mine fit on a floppy which is handy, but the annoyance is, as usual with Win98, you have to restart afterwards. But a USB drives the best way to go.

22-09-2004, 19:53	#5
AndyM Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Lincoln Services: Freeview \| Eclipse 8Mbps \| Soltek Qbic EQ3401M \| XP \| 54G Wifi \| Nokia n80 Posts: 1,620	I looked at Zip drives and it seemed the expensive option. All the computers at uni have zip drives but after I leave in 2 years it would go in the bin because I'd have no use for it. It would have to be an external drive to because I don't have any spare drive bays. As for the drivers I don't think installing them will be a problem. I've seen a few people using them. I'll just keep the driver on my network drive space and point the add new hardware to there when I need it, but it could get a bit tedious.

22-09-2004, 20:19	#6
Ignite Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Bournemouth Services: Virgin and Freeview Posts: 1,438	I work at a uni. All of the student machines are XP completely locked down. They allow, no in fact they encorage the use of pen drives. However, external hard drives and zip drives are not supported and are on the list of things you are not allowed to connect to uni machines. As far as spec goes, get a usb 2 pen drive. It is faster to transfer data on machines with this and will still work on an older usb 1 machine. Cost wise, my local computer store is selling 128Mb for £15.99, 256Mb for £25.99, 512Mb for £45.99 and 1Gb for £75.99. All USB2 and prices inc VAT. Andy

22-09-2004, 21:04	#7
AndyM Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Lincoln Services: Freeview \| Eclipse 8Mbps \| Soltek Qbic EQ3401M \| XP \| 54G Wifi \| Nokia n80 Posts: 1,620	Thanks Andy, Pen drives are definately allowed, it was my tutor who suggested getting one! I think the majority of machines at uni are USB1.1 but mines USB2 so thats not desparately important. Are there any brands people would recommend? There doesn't seem to be much to set one model apart from another.

22-09-2004, 22:14	#8
fauntleroy Forum Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: London Services: Sky+ HD; Orange "free" BB; .Mac; Freeview Posts: 787	I have a Sony Micro Vault which has been very reliable thus far (touch wood). It's USB 2 but connects perfectly happily to USB 1.1 ports. As far as the original poster's question goes about using an iPod as an external drive under Win 98, I am pretty certain this won't work. You need at least Win 2000 SP4 (or any version of XP).

22-09-2004, 23:01	#10
media guy Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Gender: Male Location: Southampton (Uni, Staff) Services: Freeview - Humax 9200t \|\| Sky+HD \|\| Sky Talk & BB Max @ 18Mb/s Posts: 3,770	I can't recommend this enough - http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/list...drives+storage (price includes royal mail special delivery & lifetime warrenty)

22-09-2004, 23:32	#11
Pingu Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Bath mostly Services: Virgin, HDTV, iPhone 3GS, 360/PS3/Wii, Mac, 3 Poodles Posts: 10,470	That PQI one looks nice - I'm thinking of getting one myself. At the moment I have a small MMC reader with a 16mb card in.

23-09-2004, 08:05	#12
grays Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: West Sussex Services: Sky World, Zen 2MB ADSL Posts: 865	Agree with Media Guy I've got one of those as well and it's the Dog's danglies.

23-09-2004, 08:37	#13
DerekP Posts: n/a	Yoy can get cheaper drives than the Crucial version which work ok but the "straight format" of the drive (like the Sony) is really handy if the USB ports are all squished up together and access is difficult. Cheaper drives (up to 25% cheaper) are often fatter than these requiring the use of an adaptor cable. Which is not a problem but not quite as cool

29-09-2004, 21:36	#14
AndyM Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Lincoln Services: Freeview \| Eclipse 8Mbps \| Soltek Qbic EQ3401M \| XP \| 54G Wifi \| Nokia n80 Posts: 1,620	Well I got the PQI model. Its extremely fast, reliable so far and tiny - what more could you want. The bloody uni's only gone and upgraded to XP, so I could have used my iPod after all! Nevermind.

30-09-2004, 08:51	#15
DEmmerson Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Home Counties Services: Virgin V+, Broadband & Freeview Posts: 1,127	http://www.dabs.com/uk/Search2/Produ...=flash%20drive £23.98 including delivery. I expect flash drives to be even cheaper next month.