> > > What is a USB thumb drive?
> > > What is a chkdsk?
> > > I know what a chain is. It transfers power from the engine and/or transmission to the rear wheel of the motor scooter. And a file is a tool made of very hard metal so it can be used to smooth out rough places on used scooter parts.
> > > Or are my mind and yours running on different tracks?
> > >
> >
> > You seem to have a pretty good understanding of the basic mechanics - chains, files, etc. All you need to do is visualize those components in the modern setting of a USB drive.
> >
> > It's not just water that can cause loss of chains - largely through rust damage. Many chains are lost due to abrasion caused by having too many files on one drive, too close together. Sometimes parts of a single file can be scattered throughout the drive, potentially causing even more damage.
> >
> > That's why, if you pay a little extra, you can get a belt-driven USB drive and then you don't have to worry about the chains at all.
> >
> > ^v^:)^v^
> > FB
>
> Aiiiiee! Now I an really confused. I wonder why modern electronic devices have the same terminology as 50-year-old motor scooters? They even have some of the same problems (rust, crash, etc.)
>
> But seriously, I have a USB connection or two on my computer and some of my devices connect there, but beyond that I don't have a clue. Thank goodness for grandchildren. If they didn't drop by from time to time, I would have to learn all of this stuff myself.
>
> My guess is that the thumb drive you mentioned is some type of portable data storage device. I use a 3.5 floppy to transfer data from my laptop to my PC, but the space is limited. Also, my new PC has no floppy drive, but it will have the first time it goes into the shop. Or would a thumb drive solve that problem? Unfortunaltely, my laptop is ten years old.
>
> Now about that belt driven USB drive; we are back to scooter terms again. I have a 1963 Cushman Eagle with a two-speed drive. There is an automatic clutch that drives a belt, which drives the transmission, which drives the rear wheel through a sprocket chain. It works very well, but then I never run it through the laundry. It's like an automatic transmission with a manual shift between high and low range. You don't use the clutch pedal very much because it disengagues automatically at low RPM's. It's more fun than riding a computer.
> Howard


A thumb-drive is about the size of a house or car key and can hold as much stuff as 40-180 floppy disks depending on the number of MB. You plug it into a USB connection like all the other devices, then can transfer things to and from it just like you would a floppy disk. The exact method of transferring things may vary, mine works by appearing as another hard drive.
Hope that helps,
whitehelm