"You Need to Format the Disk": Why Not to Click Format Yet
Windows says a drive full of files needs formatting. What the message actually means, why your files are probably still there, and what Format would do to them.
Troubleshooting
What to do when a drive is slow, unrecognised, or showing signs of failing.
Can't Eject an External Drive: What's Holding It Open
Why Windows and macOS refuse to eject a drive that is in use, what eject actually does, and how to find the program responsible without risking your files.
Fake Capacity Flash Drives: How to Check a USB Stick or microSD
Why a 2TB thumb drive can hold 64GB and still look full size, how the lie loses your files, and how to test a stick or card before you trust it.
Why Your External Drive Transfers Slowly
A transfer runs at the speed of its slowest link. How to find which link is yours: the cable, the port, the other end, or the drive.
How to Tell a Drive Is Failing Before It Takes Your Data
SMART warns you about some failures and says nothing about others. What the counters mean, what sounds mean, and when to stop diagnosing and start copying.
