What is a USB Drive? (Printable)

Thomas Stockwell

I am a computer science major at the University of Michigan-Flint, and I am currently working as both a HelpDesk Consultant and Computer Lab Consultant in the ITS department. Along with my programming endeavors at the University of Michigan, I am also a writer for the CodeProject website (http://www.codeproject.com). A link to my profile and programming articles can be found at: http://www.codeproject.com/script/Membership/Profiles.aspx?mid=2196668

Published on 08/11/2008

A USB Drive also known as a flash drive, keychain drive, thumb drive, pen drive, or wallet drive is a form of digital storage.

Basics

A USB Drive also known as a flash drive, keychain drive, thumb drive, pen drive, removable disk, or wallet drive is a form of digital storage.
It is a plug-and-play portable storage device that uses flash memory and is lightweight enough to attach to a key chain or slide into your wallet like a credit card. This drive can be used in place of a floppy disk, zip disk, or CD.
It uses technology that is know as static RAM with a USB connection.

Why Use a USB Drive?

No special drive is needed
Most portable media available.
Small, lightweight, and many models are built to connect to a necklace or a key ring
Capacities ranging from 256 megabytes to 160 gigabytes, depending on the manufacturer

Can I use one in the ITS Computer Labs?

Log into the computer.
Plug USB drive into front USB hub.
Wait for computer to find new hardware.
A Found New Hardware message will appear.
Double-click on My Computer.
In the Network Drive section, right-click the F: drive. Then click Disconnect
The drive may still appear to be a mapped network drive
double-click F: drive to access the USB drive. Now you use it like any other drive on the computer.