Flux rss
They need your help
DVD-ROM player

USB Key

Keyboard
Bookmark Bookmark & Share
Chiave USB Chave USB USB-Stick Clé USB Llave USB

Introduction to USB keys

A USB key is a compact-format removable storage device which can be plugged into a computer's USB port.

A USB key is a plastic shell carrying a USB connector and flash memory, a solid-state, non-volatile, rewritable kind of memory; that is, it has many of the same characteristics as RAM, except that the data is not wiped out when the machine is turned off.

For this reason, a USB key can store up to several gigabytes of data, and keep the data saved when electrical power is cut off (i.e. when the key is unplugged).

In practice, a USB key is very practical for users who go from one computer to another, as it is very easy to transport and can store a large quantity of documents and data.

What's more, recent motherboards can boot from USB keys, which means that you can now start an operating system from a simple USB key! Very useful for users who want to carry their own work environment wherever they go, or for restarting and fixing a system after a crash.

Characteristics

The features to take into account when choosing a USB key are:

  • Storage capacity
  • Transfer rate: This is the speed at which data is transfered. It should be noted that the transfer rate when reading is different from the transfer rate when writing, as the process of writing to flash memory is slower. The transfer rate depends on the read speed and write speed of the Flash memory component, as well as the USB standard supported:
    • USB 1.1 (low-speed USB), which can reach 12 Mbit/s,
    • USB 2.0 (high-speed USB) which can reach 480 Mbit/s. It should be noted that in order to attain the full transfer speed, the key must be plugged into a USB 2.0 port. Otherwise (with a USB 1.1 port), the key will run at a low speed.
  • Encryption features: Some keys have tools for encrypting data or some of the data found on the key, in order to strengthen privacy.
  • Write protection: Some keys include a hardware switch for putting the key in read-only mode, to prevent data from being changed or erased.
  • Multimedia functions: When a USB key includes a headphone jack and can play audio files (generally in the MP3 format), it is called an MP3 player.


Last update on Thursday October 16, 2008 02:43:13 PM.This document entitled « USB Key » from Kioskea (en.kioskea.net) is made available under the Creative Commons license. You can copy, modify copies of this page, under the conditions stipulated by the licence, as this note appears clearly.
Portable Antivirus on your Usb key Portable Antivirus on your Usb key ClamWin Portable Multi Virus Cleaner HiJackFree Avast Portable There are several ways where a portable antivirus can be of great assistance. For example, I hold a farming business and the site is... en.kioskea.net/faq/sujet-285-portable-antivirus-on-your-usb-key
Disk space / memory missing on USB stick / mp3 player Disk space / memory missing on USB stick / mp3 player This is probably a problem of system files on the USB key. First of all, read the manual for the key, and verify that no utility provided with the key to reset or reformat. If... en.kioskea.net/faq/sujet-1782-disk-space-memory-missing-on-usb-stick-mp3-player
Download USB pc lock If you have a USB key, do you know that you can use it for more than a simple portable storage? You can indeed use it to prevent someone from using your PC by installing USB PC Lock Pro. You just insert it into any available USB port. Once... en.kioskea.net/telecharger/telecharger-1649-usb-pc-lock
My USB key is recognized as a Digital Audio PlayerMy USB key is recognized as a Digital Audio Player Problem Solution Problem Some USB devices on Ubuntu are not detected as "classic", USB keys but as music players such iPod. This error causes the launch of a music player (unless you... en.kioskea.net/faq/sujet-2206-my-usb-key-is-recognized-as-a-digital-audio-player
Installing Windows XP from a USB keyInstalling Windows XP from a USB key Creating your bootable USB key: Installing XP Here’s how to create a Windows XP, bootable, USB key. This is very useful especially persons using Netbook or in the case that your PC is not equipped... en.kioskea.net/faq/sujet-3065-installing-windows-xp-from-a-usb-key
Using an USB memory key under LinuxUsing an USB memory key under Linux Automatic setup based upon version used Mandriva Fedora Core Debian & consort Manual setup Automatic setup based upon version used Follow the procedure below to set up automatically your USB... en.kioskea.net/faq/sujet-702-using-an-usb-memory-key-under-linux
Results for USB Key
Can't format USB mass storage driveHello, I get a message telling me my USB key needs to be formatted, I click ok, try to format and I get a message saying , disk is write protected, the problem is I've been using that key for over a year with no problem, can anyone help please en.kioskea.net/forum/affich-8617-can-t-format-usb-mass-storage-drive
USB showing write protected errorHello, Friends my USB is showing write protected error could you please me, i have used that apacer.com repair link also but after running that it is showing an error USB disk not found, Please help. Kindly send me a reply. en.kioskea.net/forum/affich-76585-usb-showing-write-protected-error
USB stick doesn't openHello, My USB stick used to work fine, but suddenly it didn't open any more when I plugged it in and when I try to open the disc in "my computer" everytime an "open with" window pops up ("choose the program you want to use to open the file"). I cannot... en.kioskea.net/forum/affich-45228-usb-stick-doesn-t-open
Results for USB Key
Download HP USB Disk Storage Format ToolHP USB Disk Storage Format Tool is a small utility allowing to format a key USB or READER MP4. It also allows to make a key (Bootable). This software works with all keys and readers MP4 of the market. To make work this utility under Windows... en.kioskea.net/telecharger/telecharger-127-hp-usb-disk-storage-format-tool
Download WIFI Key GeneratorWifi Connections are certainly very practical, but given that they require no wiring, everybody can be connected to it if his computer is compatible with Wifi. WIFI Key Generator is a small application intended to generate random protection keys for... en.kioskea.net/telecharger/telecharger-459-wifi-key-generator
Download Key LaunchKey Launch is resolution to throw applications without passing by the menu to start or the icons of the office. Throw your applications from the keys of the keyboard by typing abbreviations. It is enough to type letter some what you search and key... en.kioskea.net/telecharger/telecharger-337-key-launch
Results for USB Key
USB KeyIntroduction to USB keys A USB key is a compact-format removable storage device which can be plugged into a computer's USB port. A USB key is a plastic shell carrying a USB connector and flash memory, a solid-state, non-volatile, rewritable kind of... en.kioskea.net/contents/pc/cle-usb.php3
Public-key systemsthe principle of public-key encryption The principle of asymmetric encryption (also called public-key encryption) first appeared in 1976, with the publication of a work about cryptography by Whitfield Diffie and Martin Hellman. In an asymmetric... en.kioskea.net/contents/crypto/clepublique.php3
Private-key (or secret-key) cryptographySymmetric encryption Symmetric encryption (also called private-key encryption or secret-key encryption) involves using the same key for encryption and decryption. Encryption involves applying an operation (an algorithm) to the data to be... en.kioskea.net/contents/crypto/cleprivee.php3
Results for USB Key