Linux - Software This forum is for Software issues.
Having a problem installing a new program? Want to know which application is best for the job? Post your question in this forum. |
Notices |
Welcome to LinuxQuestions.org, a friendly and active Linux Community.
You are currently viewing LQ as a guest. By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics, receive our newsletter, use the advanced search, subscribe to threads and access many other special features. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today!
Note that registered members see fewer ads, and ContentLink is completely disabled once you log in.
Are you new to LinuxQuestions.org? Visit the following links:
Site Howto |
Site FAQ |
Sitemap |
Register Now
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us. If you need to reset your password, click here.
Having a problem logging in? Please visit this page to clear all LQ-related cookies.
Get a virtual cloud desktop with the Linux distro that you want in less than five minutes with Shells! With over 10 pre-installed distros to choose from, the worry-free installation life is here! Whether you are a digital nomad or just looking for flexibility, Shells can put your Linux machine on the device that you want to use.
Exclusive for LQ members, get up to 45% off per month. Click here for more info.
|
 |
05-14-2015, 01:28 AM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Registered: Mar 2014
Location: Illinois
Distribution: Xubuntu
Posts: 2,037
Rep: 
|
Does "deleting" a flash drive wear the flash drive out faster than "formatting" it?
Everybody says if there's data on a flashdrive format it (don't delete it). (But if there's a bootable distro on there, then delete it. Btw I don't understand why.) But I don't see why you don't just always delete because then you can create partitions just the way you want to, whereas if you format you have to format the whole thing.
Does deleting wear out the flash drive faster than formatting?
|
|
|
05-14-2015, 01:57 AM
|
#2
|
LQ Addict
Registered: Mar 2012
Location: Hungary
Distribution: debian/ubuntu/suse ...
Posts: 24,223
|
I think deleting means removing files one by one, that will take much longer time (than just reformatting it) and also it means more writings. But reformatting/repartitioning will destroy the boot information, therefore you will not be able to boot it any more.
|
|
1 members found this post helpful.
|
05-14-2015, 02:03 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Registered: Aug 2011
Location: Dublin
Distribution: Centos 5 / 6 / 7 / 8
Posts: 3,562
|
It depends on the file system. From distant memory FAT deletes files by replacing the first character of the filename in the directory with a null character (which makes undelete nice and easy!) but other file systems your mileage may vary. Flash memory does wear out but in practical terms you're more likely to replace the media first rather than run in to serious problems with normal usage.
|
|
1 members found this post helpful.
|
05-14-2015, 04:38 AM
|
#4
|
Moderator
Registered: Aug 2002
Posts: 26,750
|
In a nutshell formatting creates the file system structure but does not clear or zero the remaining space on the partition.
If you created a bootable USB to install an operating then typically it overwrites the Master Boot Record and so will appear that you have lost space. Most boot images are only 1-2GB or so. The only way to "recover" the rest of the space once the new operating system is installed would be to zeroize the MBR and create a new partition table.
In either case your not deleting any data just how to access it. Your not wearing it out faster.
Last edited by michaelk; 05-14-2015 at 04:51 AM.
|
|
1 members found this post helpful.
|
05-14-2015, 03:09 PM
|
#5
|
Moderator
Registered: Mar 2008
Posts: 22,361
|
Just use it. It will become obsolete before it wears out more than likely.
|
|
1 members found this post helpful.
|
05-14-2015, 04:04 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Registered: Dec 2013
Distribution: Slackware
Posts: 1,982
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by TenTenths
It depends on the file system. From distant memory FAT deletes files by replacing the first character of the filename in the directory with a null character (which makes undelete nice and easy!) but other file systems your mileage may vary. Flash memory does wear out but in practical terms you're more likely to replace the media first rather than run in to serious problems with normal usage.
|
What deleting on FAT filesystems does is remove the reference to the file from the FAT (file allocation table). The file is actually still there totally intact.
The main reason to format the drive is because of charge leakage on flash media. If you don't format the drive in a long time it may become corrupted. I have noticed this especially on cheaper drives.
|
|
1 members found this post helpful.
|
05-15-2015, 01:01 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Registered: Mar 2014
Location: Illinois
Distribution: Xubuntu
Posts: 2,037
Original Poster
Rep: 
|
Okay. Thanks very much everyone. Seems there's not all that much difference between the two (in terms of how long the flash drive lasts anyway). I mean, I realize there is a definite difference, but I'm more interested in the usage factor anyway. Appreciate it.
|
|
|
05-15-2015, 03:16 PM
|
#8
|
Moderator
Registered: Mar 2008
Posts: 22,361
|
Thanks for the update and solution.
|
|
|
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:51 PM.
|
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing
Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute
content, let us know.
|
Latest Threads
LQ News
|
|