Re: Usb key disapearing

flatline5 coughed up some electrons that declared:

Hi there,
i have a key plugged in, it is detected as being /dev/sdb with
partitions 1 and 2 (all as i expect). I start a copy to it and
suddenly dd returns with failure to write. `ls` to the mountpoint
fails to read giving I/O errors, `df -h` gives same kind, i finally
unmount the key and /dev/sdb1 or 2 no longer exists. Nothing left
behind.

Normally i would physically unplug the key for some time, replug it,
get it auto-detected and start working with it again. Problem only
happens with this key, i have others that work fine on that usb port.

But why did it fail? Is it normal? Considering i bought it very
recently, should I return/exchange it? Also, is there a way to
"reprobe" for this usb device (when my hand can't reach across the
city when i'm at work)?

Thanks,
Simon

No, it's not normal. Your hardware is broken, or you have a host chip with a
flakey driver. I've had this happen and it was caused by a motherboard that
was dodgey in more ways than one.

Test your key in another computer (and hammer it with a full media scan to
prove it's all good) and test a different key, and if necessary, some
different types of USB devices on the computer that's giving you jip.
Should narrow it down fairly easily to a broken key or broken/badly
supported mobo.

Cheers

Tim
.

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