How long will my jump drive hold information when it is off line.?

Question

Are there things that will damage information stored on my Jump drive such as xrays or magnetic fields?

Answer 1

Flash Cell Endurance: For Multi-Level Cell (MLC) Flash, up to 10,000 write cycles
per physical sector. For Single-Level Cell (SLC) Flash, up to 100,000 write cycles
per physical sector.
According to Toshiba, the inventor of Flash memory: “the 10,000 cycles of MLC
NAND is more than sufficient for a wide range of consumer applications, from
storing documents to digital photos. For example, if a 256-MB MLC NAND Flashbased
card can typically store 250 pictures from a 4-megapixel camera (a
conservative estimate), its 10,000 write/erase cycles, combined with wear-leveling
algorithms in the controller, will enable the user to store and/or view
approximately 2.5 million pictures within the expected useful life of the card.”1
For USB Flash drives, Toshiba calculated that a 10,000 write cycle endurance
would enable customers to “completely write and erase the entire contents once
per day for 27 years, well beyond the life of the hardware.”

As for exposure to strong x-rays and magnetic fields, the normal exposure you get through the airport screeners isn't enough to destroy the data but excessive x-ray and/or magnetic field exposure can destroy the data. You typically do not encounter situations where you are exposed to these types of radiations at that kind of level normally.

Answer 2

I suggest not putting it through an x-ray when you're at the airport, there's the possibility the info might get damaged. Magnetic fields shouldn't hurt it, but I'd keep it away though if possible. As long as you keep it safe, the info will stay on it until you delete it.

Answer 3

The manual for my first JD says it will hold data for 10 years without degradation,,:-)=

Answer 4

at least 7 years

Answer 5

86,000,000 years or forever which ever comes first :)