Re: flashing usb sticks?

bad sector wrote:

> Somehow you have me confused with someone who replaces usb ports, or
> is this alt.comp.hardware.technicians?

This is a hardware newsgroup, not where you ask about finding computer
shops to do the work.

> That said, I have to admit that that the original standard designers
> cannot be held responsible for what manufacturers will do with them.
> I'm thinking of 5" usb wifi transceivers that can almost flip a light
> 'book on its back. You call THAT 'user' abuse?

Not sure what "flip" means.  USB connectors are not designed to take the
strain of lifting anything.  Don't put strain on any USB connection.
USB connectors aren't even locked nor have teeth to grab onto something.
They just use friction to hold them together.  Most USB connectors have
a metal shroud aroung the PCB inside the shroud that has the foils for
the connections.  The PCB is just plastic, and will break if torqued.
Some USB devices don't even have the metal shroud.  They're just the PCB
sticking out the end without any protection, or added strain relief from
the absent metal shroud.  Yes, any strain on the USB connector other
than straight in when inserting and straight out when extracting is user
abuse.

Of the remaining usable USB ports on your computer, and since 8 have
failed already, you might want to consider using USB hubs.  An unpowered
hub can support no more power than is delivered by the USB port.  Some
USB devices are low power, but some are high power (e.g., headphones).
A powered USB hub can let you concurrently use more USB devices, but
beware of how much power the walwart supplies to the powered USB hub.
An unpowered hub is just the cable and hub.  A powered USB hub is the
cable and hub, but also the A/C adapter.

https://www.newegg.com/p/pl?d=usb+hub
(example only)

Alas, they have no filter to select unpowered vs powered.

I have an unpowered USB hub (no walmart needed nor having to store) in
my laptop's tote bag.  That lets me plug in a keyboard, mouse, and more
low-powered USB devices, and more than what the single USB port on the
laptop would allow.  At home, I added a powered USB hub when I ran out
of USB port since the addition of the A/C adapter wasn't a problem with
a desktop PC.