| Flash drives are convenient for transferring files | | | | usually specified by component vendors as endurance. |
| between different computers and sharing information | | | | The endurance of SLC Flash is ten (10) times greater |
| with colleagues. However, just like all forms of digital | | | | than MLC Flash and twenty (20) times greater than |
| storage, the media can become corrupt and you can | | | | TLC. This is the main reason why SLC Flash is |
| lose valuable information. If this happens you may need | | | | considered industrial grade Flash and MLC Flash is |
| a professional data recovery service to recover your | | | | considered consumer grade Flash. Essentially, the older |
| flash media. | | | | your flash drive gets, the less reliable it becomes. This |
| However, there are a few things you can do to avoid | | | | gradual degradation doesn't require any extreme |
| damage to your flash media and protect your data. | | | | environmental situation or physical damage to occur |
| In order to learn what steps are necessary to prevent | | | | either. |
| data loss, it's important to understand what exactly | | | | On NAND Flash, there is also failure factor call |
| flash media is, how it works and what can possibly | | | | "retention". "Retention" is how long the cell would |
| damage it. Flash data recovery can be a complicated | | | | maintain its programmed state when the chip is not |
| process, so taking proper care of your flash media is | | | | under power bias. This parameter is very sensitive to |
| critical. | | | | and also very dependent upon external environment. |
| What is flash media? | | | | High temperature tends to reduce the retention |
| Flash memory is computer storage memory that can | | | | duration. The number of read cycles performed can |
| be electrically erased and re-written. Flash is used as | | | | also degrade this retention, especially on TLC drives. |
| storage in a number of devices, including cellular | | | | Condensation from high temperatures or high humidity |
| phones, digital cameras and MP3 players, in addition to | | | | can also cause the shorting of circuit board or |
| USB flash drives. | | | | corrosion of contacts. |
| There are three major types of flash chip types: | | | | One of the most frequent reasons for USB flash drive |
| - Single Layer Cell (SLC) - can hold only one bit per | | | | data loss is removing the media from the computer or |
| cell. The most expensive type of flash media, the SLC | | | | other device incorrectly. The most common result |
| flash uses less power, has faster write speeds and is | | | | from doing so is logical file system damage. Typically, in |
| a good fit for both industrial applications and holding | | | | this situation your drive is not actually damaged even |
| critical data. | | | | though your data is lost. But in some rare cases, the |
| - Multi Layer Cell (MLC) - holds two bits per cell, and | | | | unsafe removal can also damage cells, which hold |
| stores two times more information. MLC flash is | | | | internal flash drive information, and cannot be |
| typically used in consumer products. It is generally | | | | accessed or repaired by operating systems. To |
| cheaper than SLC media, but has a lower endurance | | | | extract information after this kind of failure you need |
| limit and fewer program/erase cycles per cell. | | | | help from the data recovery services professional. For |
| - Triple Layer Cell (TLC) - holds three bits per cell. TLC | | | | this reason, it is very important to safely remove the |
| is the cheapest type of flash media and has higher | | | | device from the system and never unplug a USB flash |
| density. However it has slower read and write speeds | | | | drive while it is reading or writing information. |
| and a much lower endurance. Typically only low-end | | | | How To Avoid USB Flash Drive Data Loss |
| products contain TLC media and it is not | | | | As with all storage media, the best possible way to |
| recommended for the storage of critical data. | | | | avoid disaster is to frequently back-up all important |
| How flash media works | | | | data. Without a verified back-up, a single point of failure |
| Flash media has no moving parts, operates silently and | | | | can lead to data loss. Data recovery services can |
| quickly and is smaller in size than most other types of | | | | often recover USB flash drives, but the process can |
| storage media. Flash drives consist of printed circuit | | | | often be costly and time-consuming. A proper back-up |
| boards covered in plastic or rubber casing. They plug | | | | is always the preferred option. |
| into computers via USB ports or a special adapter. On | | | | Due to the limitations of flash technology, flash drives |
| modern computer systems, there is no need to install | | | | should not be used for frequently updated files. It's also |
| drivers or reboot the system in order to access data | | | | important to use reliable flash memory, such as SLC |
| on a flash drive. They also do not require an additional | | | | flash, for critical data and important applications. |
| power supply to operate. | | | | Also, you should make sure to always remove flash |
| USB flash drives are generally preferred over other | | | | media safely and never unplug the drive while it is |
| types of storage media when transferring files due to | | | | reading or writing. Removing your flash drive incorrectly |
| their small size, fast speed and large capacity | | | | can corrupt the data. Flash data recovery may be |
| compared to other portable media. | | | | your only option if you do not follow this important step. |
| How Flash Media Can Become Corrupted | | | | Storing flash media in proper conditions and not |
| In much the same way that a rechargeable battery | | | | exposing your flash drive to extreme temperatures, |
| loses its charge after several hundred cycles, NAND | | | | humidity or pressure will keep your drive functioning |
| flash components can also lose their ability to retain | | | | longer. |
| data after thousands of write/erase cycles. This is | | | | |