Lexar Media JUMP DRIVE SECURE 512MB 2.0 ( JDS512-432 )

Rating:
Summary: Poor quality, bad software, it died on me...
Review: All,
This item won't fit in a lot of USB ports (to big). The product died on me after a month and I sent it back to Lexar.
Don't use the software that comes with it, it's buggy and won't let you disconnect the drive without telling you that it's in use, which it isn't. Delete the software on the drive and have Windows Format it as NTFS. Come on Lexar, how many people are still using the FAT system?. Plus it's supposed to be plug and play, so for get the non-functional sofware.
If you partition the drive into a secure area you can't defrag that section without re-formatting all the drive and wiping your data. The product worked long enough for me to throw away my receipt. I read on-line, other people have the same issues. Lexar replace the drive, but kept my manual and product information and sent me a reaplacement in an envelope.
Stay away from this product, it's bad.
/
Brian

Rating:
Summary: Worthwhile but a little confusing
Review: I think that most of the other people using this item haven't been properly trained. While the documentation on the software is lacking, it does work quite well. I really only have 2 small problems with the Secure JumpDrive.

1. You have to install the software on any machine you wish to access the "Secure" portion of the drive from. This isn't a big deal, this is just like saying you have you install WinZip(tm) or the like to use zip files.

2. It's too sensitive to shock damage. After dropping the drive once to often I had to pry open the case and re-solder the timing crystal. While this wasn't a big deal it is probably more than most people want to deal with.

All in all, I like the JumpDrive and the 256bit AES encryption is REALLY nice to have, but if you are going to get it, then be nice to it.

Rating:
Summary: Don't do it!
Review: I was really excited to get the JumpDrive because of the reviews I read. True, it is a lot more durable than many flash drives, but I've had so many problems that it's entirely not worth it. From day one I was unable to use it with most of the computers at school because the JumpDrive tries to install its "secure" software onto whatever computer you plug it into. Most public computers will not allow this due to all of the computer viruses going around. Unfortunately, if the software doesn't install you can't access the drive. Another problem that I've had while using it with friends' computers is that it will occasionally delete entire batches of files! I've always been careful to properly eject the device, but more than once it has deleted numerous files that I had recently saved onto it. I generally like Lexar products, but not this. My friends have cheaper flashdrives that do a much, MUCH better job.

Rating:
Summary: Default partition type is FAT.
Review: This drive has a default partition as FAT when configured. The configuration software doesn't have provision to change the partition type. You will have to format(through OS) the drive then using FAT32/NTFS. And the total size is just 483 MB and not 512 MB... Just like all hard drives. Hard drives are acceptable, but Jump drives cannot be.
The drive is pretty fast. And surely is handy.