LinuxQuestions.org - [SOLVED] why does my usb stick unmount whenever I mount my external drive?

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why does my usb stick unmount whenever I mount my external drive?

why does my usb stick unmount whenever I mount my external drive?
I am able to remount the usb stick again whilst the external drive is mounted.

Since the files in Kate editor were left open while the usb got unmounted, when I mount and try to save a box pops up saying

Code:

Do you really want to save?Both the open file and the file on the disk were changed. There could be some data lost. Save nevertheless or cancel.

Should I click save nevertheless? Thanks in advance.

Show us, please.
Show the usb stick when mounted. (lsblk?)
Show us the command used to mount the external drive.
Show the status (lsblk) afterwards.
Maybe also after remounting the stick.

Whether or not you should save the file in Kate depends on whether or not you want to save what’s there, in Kate. It’s your call.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jefro (Post 6467356)

Power issue?

Good thought. OP, are you using a usb hub?

Quote:

Originally Posted by scasey (Post 6467379)

Good thought. OP, are you using a usb hub?

Yes the same usb hub for both, but I don't have to as I have usb slots in the machine.

You were asked several questions in post 2 and did not answer any of them even though answers would have likely given information needed for someone to help you. Being unresponsive will tend to have members not bother trying to help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scasey (Post 6467342)

Show us, please.
Show the usb stick when mounted. (lsblk?)

Below is just the usb stick when mounted and connected to a usb hub.

Code:

──╼ $lsblk

NAME        MAJ:MIN RM  SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINT

sda          8:0    1 29.3G  0 disk 

└─sda1        8:1    1 29.2G  0 part /media/asus/781E-438F

Quote:

Originally Posted by scasey (Post 6467342)

Show us the command used to mount the external drive.

No command used by me for either, to mount any usb stick or external drive I use my mouse instead and click mount icon on the gui bottom far right corner near the time (clock)KDE

Quote:

Originally Posted by scasey (Post 6467342)

Show the status (lsblk) afterwards.

Below is status afterwards using lsblk with the external drive named One Touch (4.5T) connected to usb hub but not mounted yet

Code:

NAME        MAJ:MIN RM  SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINT

sda          8:0    1 29.3G  0 disk 

└─sda1        8:1    1 29.2G  0 part /media/asus/781E-438F

sdb          8:16  0  4.5T  0 disk 

├─sdb1        8:17  0  200M  0 part 

└─sdb2        8:18  0  4.5T  0 part

Quote:

Originally Posted by scasey (Post 6467342)

Maybe also after remounting the stick.

I didn't have to remount the usb stick because for the first time it didn't unmount when I mounted the external drive alongside it. It's never happened before. Both appear mounted at the same time whilst connected to the usb hub neither unmounted at any point as of writing so far. Why is that? In other words it appears solved but I don't know why or for how long this will last?

Code:

sda          8:0    1 29.3G  0 disk 

└─sda1        8:1    1 29.2G  0 part /media/asus/781E-438F

sdb          8:16  0  4.5T  0 disk 

├─sdb1        8:17  0  200M  0 part 

└─sdb2        8:18  0  4.5T  0 part /media/asus/One Touch

Quote:

Originally Posted by scasey (Post 6467342)

Whether or not you should save the file in Kate depends on whether or not you want to save what’s there, in Kate. It’s your call.

I saved it

I can think of several possibilities for the problem but I think in the current situation, just go along using your hub and take care when monunting and plugging in. As suggested above, it could be a power issue or a bad hub. If it is fairly new, you might be able to have it replaced. I had a situation where I had a laptop replaced when a hardware part failed within a month after it was purchased so things like that happen.

Is this hub externally powered? If not, unpowerd hubs can cause this issue. I use only externally power hubs, they cost a little bit more and work reliably.

What I would do in that situation is to save the file under a new name and then look through all the versions of the file to come up with a way to untangle the mess.

Quote:

Originally Posted by camorri (Post 6467787)

Is this hub externally powered? If not, unpowerd hubs can cause this issue. I use only externally power hubs, they cost a little bit more and work reliably.

It's an unpowered hub i.e. uses my computer for power, I think that makes it internal.

Is there way to to negate the issue of the unpowered hub playing up via some command in terminal? Or is the only solution to buy an external hub or just connect both the usb stick and the external drive directly to the computer?

Quote:

Originally Posted by scasey (Post 6467342)

Show us, please.
Show the usb stick when mounted. (lsblk?)
Show us the command used to mount the external drive.
Show the status (lsblk) afterwards.
Maybe also after remounting the stick.

Why did the usb stick not unmount whilst I mounted the external drive to the unpowered usb hub whilst I ran lsblk as above? In other words it worked fine just as it would if both usb devices were connected to the computer diectly. i.e. mounting one did not force the other to unmount. The lsblk process you provided actually solved it albeit temporarily that one time.

lsblk didn’t “solve” anything. It just lists (ls) the state of block devices (blk).

I’d conclude that it’s because of the hub. Unpowered hubs can be flaky…which is to say, may have very intermittent problems. That can be power related. It can be rare (a new issue for you, yes? Everything used to always work?)

As suggested, you can just be aware of the issue, and be cautious: Save open files on the stick before connecting the external drive, for example.
Or you can invest in a powered hub,
Or you can connect directly and not use a hub at all, if you have the available USB ports.

+1 to jailbait’s advice. That’s an excellent practice.

What is the external 'One Touch' drive power demands?
Is it an HDD or SDD.? The power draw is significantly different.
Are you using a usb2 or usb3 port? Usb3 is rated for a minimum of 1.1 amp as compared to 500 MA for usb2.
Also note that that power rating is for ALL attached devices on the bus, not just each device individually nor for each port individually.

If the drive draws the voltage below the minimum for the usb stick during startup it may interfere with operation, even if the drop is minimal in time such as when first connecting it.

I strongly suggest using a powered hub as previously suggested since this really does seem to be a power issue related to the drive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scasey (Post 6467903)

...Unpowered hubs can be flaky…which is to say, may have very intermittent problems. That can be power related. It can be rare (a new issue for you, yes? Everything used to always work?)

yes, it's a new issue only because I have never used the external drive attached to usb hub together with the usb stick.

If the usb stick is attached to the machine directly first, then connecting the external drive alone to the usb hub will not needlessly unmount the usb stick and both devices work fine.