It may be helpful. Consider online backups for your important digital documents

[mfleming]

(12-17-2018 09:11 PM)pier4r Wrote:  If they are online I have no doubt that USB, HD, SDD can last for a while (maybe the HD being the ones with shorter life spans. The average I have seen over time is around 4-5 years rotating 24/7 while used in raid systems). But offline I don't know.

I had a USB stick fail after less than six months while left plugged in. The stick itself tended to run a little hot, and the area around the USB connector tended to be warm. I guess the daily power-up and content query by the host led to controller failure. Unless you leave your host on 24/7, I'd unplug the USB stick after each use.

I do think I'll look into M-disks, which I've never heard of before. Good to learn of new things from forum members...

~Mark