9 Dec
2024
9 Dec
'24
2:19 p.m.
On Monday 09 December 2024 04:44:11 E. Liddell via tde-users wrote:
On Sat, 7 Dec 2024 09:15:20 -0800
Before you go tearing into your laptop's guts, though, try booting it from
a live CD image just to make absolutely sure that there's nothing "stuck
on" in the installed OS somewhere. I don't see how there could be, but
it's a simple non-invasive test that eliminates the OS layer as a possible
culprit.
I assume you've tested the port with other devices to make sure it isn't
the combination of that port and that device that's gone sour. I also
assume you've tested your external drive with other ports on the laptop.
(I ask because I have a USB key that suddenly started refusing to work with
my laptop one day while my desktop shows it as perfectly okay. Still
haven't figured that one out.)
E. Liddell
That's a good idea. I probably wouldn't have thought to test it with a live
image. And I do have a couple of discs here.
As far as wear-and-tear goes: Actually, I use that port the least of the
three. The middle port I use every day, all the time, because it's where I
insert the flash drive that currently holds my entire OS, since I don't have
an internal hard drive.
The first, or front port, I use for an unpowered USB 4-port hub, which mainly
holds the dongle, or receiver for my wireless keyboard. And then I insert
other flash drives as I need them.
The last, or third port, I reserve just for my big SSD drives, or for a
powered USB 13-port hub, if I intend to spread out and do some time-consuming
work, usually when I am reinstalling packages, or if I am transferring files
to or from backup on one of the larger SSDs.
Otherwise, I try to confine myself just to my laptop, and whatever I can fit
on a collection of flash drives; mainly because this way it's portable, and I
can pack up, come and go quickly. If I have all my gear out, it can take a
while to organize and pack up. I am trying to get myself into good habits.
So it's especially a mystery while that last, or third port, would have
somehow gone bad, as I use is much less often; although, when I do use it, it
maybe gets more wear. Or maybe, because it's open, something could have got
into it ... dust, insects? But I did open up that laptop already, and nothing
appears to be amiss.
Well, later today I will run some tests.
Bill