In all of the years that I used PCs, I never had a memory stick fail. Since I've been using a minimac, I have had half a dozen completely fail to the point they just are not even readable. Anyone else experience this problem?
Mac mini, OS X El Capitan (10.11)
Do you mean RAM modules inside the computer (as macjack reads) or do you mean USB thumb/flash/pen/etc. drives?
FWIW, I've had flash drives fail on Macs, PCs and Linux boxes. They can fail for a number of reasons.
Heat kills them. Check the cooling fans for proper operation and make sure the vents are not blocked.
As I said, they can fail for a number of reasons. Heat being one.
they tend to fall apart over time, I support users who get them from various states of long term storage and a good portion of them crap out. I would not suggest them for long term storage or shelf life.
I've had new, old, big, small USB memory sticks fail on a Mac. I used new, old (like 10 - 20 years), big, small USB memory sticks on PCs and they never failed.
It is a good point that the memory sticks sit right on top of the heat vent on the miniMac. True genius at work.
My 2008 mac pro was eating 2 of 8 sticks per year, each year, almost since I owned it. I changed the 4 hard drives to ssd's and and haven't had a problem since. The SMC fan control readings are much lower and consistent, and the memory now lasts. Could be coincidence, but............
It is a good point that the memory sticks sit right on top of the heat vent on the miniMac.
I use a short USB male to female cable with my computer. It is easier to plug in the flash drive and you can position it away from any heat source. If there is any physical wear and tear where you are plugging in the flash drive and the USB socket, it is restricted to the cable which is easily replaced. You can also try plugging it into the keyboard if there is a spare USB socket but not all keyboards provide sufficient power for this kind of the peripheral.
Anyone else experience failed memory sticks on Mac?
