Hello all,
 

I have had a wipout of 3 Kingston DataTraveller 16 GB and one Duracell 32 GB USB flash memory sticks.  Not only is the data lost, they can't even be reformatted!  (The data loss is no calamity - it was a duplicate backup.)

 

The one misbehaviour I had thoughtlessly done:  For about 9 months long, these sticks were stored in an above-counter kitchen cabinet, on the bottom level, and that cabinet has an under-the-cabinet 24-inch fluorescent fixture (tube and ballast) for illuminating the countertop.  I switched it on and off a few times a day.  The USB sticks were stored about 8 inches / 20 cm away from one end of the fluorescent fixture, i.e., not quite directly above the fixture (otherwise the separation would only have been 1 inch / 2.5 cm).

 

So, does anyone know whether USB flash memory sticks (and presumably flash memory camera cards too) are particularly sensitive to electro-magnetic or other disturbances?
 

And what about smartphones?  My smartphone was in a similar position for about 6 months, but is still working perfectly.  (It's not there anymore!)