OK.... so here's my stupid question for 2:20am.

 

In my attempt to reach behind my server to pull out a usb cable ( to test my APC UPS notification ), I leaned against my usb flash drive and it popped out.

 

I put it back in again and tried browsing to it ( from my main PC ) with no luck.  I tried to a shutdown from the main PC and console, but it gave me some errors during the process on the console.

 

So, I've tried rebooting a few times, with no success ( I get stuck on "Verifying DMI Pool Data.........."

 

I then tried the flash drive in my main PC and if I fiddle with it, i can get it to detect it.    While I could access it, I copied all the files off of it to my desktop.

 

I guess I am going to need to get a hold of Tom ( as I have a Pro License ) and see if he can transfer it over to a different flash drive.

 

My concern is could I have caused any problem to the drives in my server because of this?  ( I don't have a parity drive in yet as I am just moving data into the other drives right now ).

 

I'm so angry that I did this ... I should have went to bed hours ago!     

No don't worry about your data.

 

Tom (assuming you find him) will most probably resolve your issue with the license transfer.

 

 

The funny part is that I bought a "Corsair Voyager Mini" flash drive ( thinking I was being smart, as its such a small drive and less likely to get bumped ).

 

Earlier in the day my cat started pulling it out ( as he was entertained by the little dangling part on it ).

 

For other people's reference, part of this is fairly cheaply made.  The case is rubber (nice and durable), however you need to slide out the connector.  The part that slides out is plastic and like a little tray.  In that tray is another piece of plastic with the contacts on it.    If you look at images, you can see where the plastic piece with the contacts freely moves around now ( which is bad ).   For the fact that the tray is flimsy and could be bent easily, making the contact part slide around, I'd have to say that although this is on the hardware compatibility list, I would advice against it if there is any chance you could bump it.   You would be further ahead with one solid stick.

 

 

 

The lesson learned here:    Stick your flash drive into a BACK USB port! 

 

 

One final question.    I'm going to run out today and get a new flash drive.    Am I able to move the files I recovered off the old one on to the new one and then the only thing I need to correct is the license file, once I get the new info to Tom?

You will have to prepare the new drive just like you did before to make it bootable but once you do that you will have no problem with just dragging the files over to it.

For the fact that the tray is flimsy and could be bent easily, making the contact part slide around, I'd have to say that although this is on the hardware compatibility list, I would advice against it if there is any chance you could bump it.  You would be further ahead with one solid stick.

 

What I do is buy an SD card with Reader package. They usually have one of those short cables that extend the reader past the USB port.

I don't like anything solid hanging out the USB port unless it is only for a short attended time.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134548

 

 

What makes this idea even better, is that

 

1) Even if you break the reader, you haven't broken the card itself.

2) AFAIK (verify please) the serial number needed for the license is the SD serial, so it remains the same even if you switch reader.

 

 

I have a USB pin header (motherboard) to USB socket that I mount inside my unRAID server. It means it is inside the case so removing it means removing the side cover, but since moving it I havn't pulled it out by mistake and it cant be damaged accidentely. 

another nice idea

 

I like the flexibility of the SD though (even though I don't use it - after all this USB stick is coming out soon)