What is a USB Flash Drive?

A Flash Drive is a type of portable USB drive that stores and transfers data located on your computer working similar to floppies in that information can be stored and written on them. This device enables you to read, write, copy, delete and move data from USB flash drives to your hard disk drive and back again. They do not require any type of software installation- all that is required is a USB port with which all modern computers are equipped! (Flash drives are also referred to as jump drives, thumb drives, pin drives and USB drives.)

What is the difference between floppies and flash drives?

 

FLOPPY DISK

FLASH DRIVE

Larger in size

More portable (about the size of your thumb)

Smaller storage space

Larger storage space (see chart below for comparison)

Slow to write information

Quickly transfers files

 

CAPACITY OF DRIVE

DATA SIZE OF FLOPPY DISKS

DIGITAL PHOTO CAPACITY

(Varies depending on photo size)

64 MB

= 44 floppies

+50 photos

128 MB

= 88 floppies

+100 photos

256 MB

= 176 floppies

+200 photos

512 MB

= 352 floppies

+400 photos

 

How do I use my Flash Drive?

Overview of How to use a USB Flash Drive

Just plug your USB flash drive into the USB port of your computer or other USB-equipped device and drag the files you want to take with you into the folder that appears on your screen. Your files are instantly transferred to your USB flash drive. To transfer the items on your USB flash drive onto another computer, simply plug your USB flash drive into the computer that you want the files transferred to, open the folder that appears on your screen, and drag the desired files onto the computer's desktop.

1.) Insert Flash Drive into the USB Port of your computer.

-Where is my USB port? It is usually found in newer model computers in a hidden compartment on the front of the hard drive and in the back of the hard drive on older computers. The port for laptops is found on the side or back of the computer.

 

2.) Wait for the hardware to automatically install on your computer.

 

After the hardware is installed, it is ready to use!

 

 

 

3.) In most cases, an Options Window will automatically open. Select “Open folder to view files” Click “OK.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.) After selecting the option to open the folder, you will see what files are within your flash drive.

 

 

5.) Select the file that you would like to open

 

How do I save new information on my USB Flash Drive?

 

 

1.) Saving files on a Flash Drive is similar to saving files on a floppy disk

 

     For example:

·        Open Microsoft Word

·        Select “File”

·        Select “Save As”

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.) Select the Flash Drive from the drop down menu (sometimes titled “Removable Disk” or “Unknown” from the E or F Drive)

 

    3.) Once the Flash drive is selected, title your document in the “File name” field.

-Select “Save”

 

How do I remove my USB Flash Drive from my computer?

1.) To safely remove your USB flash drive look for the  icon and click on it once.

 

 NOTE: If you hover over the icon, text will appear that state the function of the icon- such as “Safely Remove Hardware”

 

2.) Select the “Safely remove USB Mass Storage Device.”

-         Your computer will display a message that your USB flash drive can be safely removed. “Safe to Remove Hardware”

-          (Remove your flash drive from your computer at this time)

 

 

© Cassie Gurley 3/7/05