Can SDCard/USB drives safely go through xray machines at customs/post office/air - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Beamin
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2017, 02:46:55 am
content: I want to ship SD or USB cards with files on them but if they are damaged by xrays its not going to work.Has anyone tried to put it in an xray machine and damage the data? I heard of people losing their vacation pictures at air port xray machines but that was about 18 years ago when it was new. They also could have just been drunk or pathological liars trying to cover their tracks.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2017, 03:11:52 am
content: Never heard of one causing any problems.

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2017, 03:12:57 am
content: Probably not through anecdotal evidence.Various times before I have had electronic devices with flash memory built in that went through the x-ray machines at the airport. No data loss was suffered, and with such a widespread use of flash memory, I doubt it would be this long before the loss of information on flash memory via post would be lost.In any case if you are afraid of that, you can always send a load of DVDs.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 12, 2017, 03:15:09 am
content: Quote from: TwoOfFive on October 12, 2017, 03:12:57 amNot exactly the best form factor for travelling.

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2017, 03:32:09 am
content: Quote from: Brumby on October 12, 2017, 03:15:09 amHowever he isn't traveling, he is asking about sending a package. In that case, a spindle of DVDs is alright.What else do you want, Minidisc?

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 14, 2017, 05:35:55 am
content: Quote from: Beamin on October 12, 2017, 02:46:55 amPerfectly safe. Absolutely nothing to worry about.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2017, 03:57:24 pm
content: Quote from: Beamin on October 12, 2017, 02:46:55 amThat was probably actual film, which is very sensitive to x-rays:https://www.kodak.com/global/en/service/tib/tib5201.shtmlQuote from: blueskull on October 14, 2017, 06:47:35 amThat's what (plausibly-deniable) encryption is for. Basically impossible to tell the difference between a card erased with entirely random data and one with encrypted data.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2017, 04:46:23 pm
content: Cypress's document on the effect of X-rays on their FLASH memory makes interesting reading.http://www.cypress.com/file/202521/downloadYou are extremely unlikely to suffer data loss on any single pass through a modern airport X-ray machine. However an older machine, on maximum output to attempt to resolve detail of a suspicious object in the same package, and that doesn't digitally store the image for viewing, so the exposure time is extended, could damage electronic media.

author: LaserSteve
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2017, 06:27:40 pm
content: The carry on machines, no problem. The big CT machines in the basement of the airport for checked bags, may be a risk.Steve

author: Beamin
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2017, 05:47:42 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on October 14, 2017, 06:47:35 amIf I was doing that I wouldn't be asking on the internet under my own ip address or at all.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2017, 07:58:11 am
content: If sending post I worry more about sorters that bend the envelopes, so you probably want to place the cards in a small packet format, and use a corrugated cardboard sheet both sides of the media, with a inner sheet cut to fit the card, with the 3 sheets taped together or stuck with a water based glue, then placed in the small packet grey envelope and sealed. Millions of these are handled by the post every day with no issue, and minimal damage. Small packet is generally cheaper than small parcel, and also offers an option of usable tracking and insurance as well.Remember that Dave with his uRulers had to use a Tyvek envelope, with an inner card with them stuck to them, to prevent the rulers from either being destroyed or lost as they tore the envelopes. The rulers bend a lot better than silicon, and do not break in doing so.

author: Deridex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2017, 12:18:44 pm
content: If i read the kingston-website correctly:https://www.kingston.com/us/flash/sd_cards/sd10vg2Quote from: kingston-website

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2017, 01:48:06 pm
content: How about swallow an Micro SD Card?I would put it in a Condom first to prevent corrosion from the Stomach Acid.

author: Deridex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2017, 04:06:06 pm
content: I gues that would produce way more trouble.

author: kolbep
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2017, 04:23:13 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on October 15, 2017, 07:58:11 amThis is South Africa. We have to worry more about the Sorters stealing the post more than anything else!!!On Average 50% of incoming mail goes missing. It is so bad, that plenty of Companies have banned purchases from South Africa. For Example Jon Oxer, from Freetronics and Superhouse.tv quotes this on his site :Quote

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2017, 05:08:28 pm
content: NOTE: This message has been deleted by the forum moderator Simon for being against the forum rules and/or at the discretion of the moderator as being in the best interests of the forum community and the nature of the thread.If you believe this to be in error, please contact the moderator involved.An optional additional explanation is:

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2017, 05:11:50 pm
content: True Pieter, but that which does wend it's way through the kleptomaniacs in Randburg and Customs also tends to arrive well mangled if not packed properly. Of course seeing as it takes 6 weeks for a letter to go 1km, the stuff probably is just sitting in a giant pile on a floor somewhere.I had a tracked parcel spend 2 weeks shuttling between Egoli and Kaapstad, with a diversion to Polokwane, before arriving at Durmail, where it was delivered a week later. You are right on the courier thing though, even though it is flaming expensive, makes the Aussie tax Dave complains about look like chump change.@lord of nothing, that is a whole other kettle of fish.

author: Beamin
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2017, 08:25:19 pm
content: Quote from: Lord of nothing on October 15, 2017, 05:08:28 pmThat quote is best kept to yourself in America. In some parts of the country that would just be a dangerous thing to say. Plus it seems like when the dutch tried that, that was actually the cause of the problem but maybe even without the white immagrantsthat country would turn out to be a shit hole like many African countries. I often wonder how much crime is do to people that have to steal to eat vs. just a shitty culture where people only care about themselves. I know in America a lot of Africans come to this country thinking it's just a place to steal from. I have worked with some really good African people but they were educated and wealthy certainly not the average African. Unfortunately a lot of Africans I have dealt with tried to rip me off with it usually back firing in their face or at best it not working. All of these people were uneducated and not wealthy. I had one guy who was trying to scam me sign a piece of paper written in legalese I wrote that basically said I had the right to sue him and he would have to pay costs regardless of outcome. Like I said not educated and probably a sub 100 IQ.Why does the government accept a 50% failure rate? Do the mail trucks get stolen or are the postal workers just thieves? How do they know what mail to steal? Most mail is only of value to the sender and receiver. But that's good to know not to send things to south Africa. Does sending a piece of mail out of the country carry a 50% loss rate?

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2017, 09:02:48 pm
content: I am not from America or Africa.

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2017, 10:37:34 pm
content: Quote from: Lord of nothing on October 16, 2017, 09:02:48 pmYou are from the admin's reported box though.

author: Beamin
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2017, 10:40:58 pm
content: Quote from: Cyberdragon on October 16, 2017, 10:37:34 pmWut is dat? The country of Austria? What is the report post for? I'm guessing you don't click it to report that the poster did a really good job answering your questions. I want to report myself to see what happens.EDIT: I get it now "abusive or offensive content". I think that for when people post "tubgirl" or that "goatsrsly" picture of the old man and the orange and the....