USB drives that DO work with Tails: testing results and notes

After suggestions from the community on drives that were known to work with Tails, a list of five drives was compiled(2 of each). Overall they performed well, but there was an issue(shown below list) with 2 of them. It's not a big deal, is easily overcome, and should be fixed in the next Tails update.

These USB drives will work with Tails:

Please note

Some USBs are giving the error message "_________USB is configured as non-removable by manufacturer and tails will fail to start on it" This is even happening to drives that were known to work fine before. The Tails team are aware of this and have offered a work around that can be found Here. If you want to read more about the bug report you can do so Here. Should be fixed in Tails 3.1, due out Aug 8

2 of the 5 USBs tested had the error shown above, the Kingston Data Traveler and the Transcend Jetflash. The work around from their site fixed the problem and allowed me to finish installation/upgrade. They were left in the "known to work" testing because the new update of Tails in Aug should fix the problem. Soon as that update comes out I will verify the error is fixed with these drives.

 

Since we point users to the DNM Bible to set everything up I followed the same procedures.

 

Testing done:

Each pair of drives was first loaded with Tails 2.12 following the install instructions for a fresh install, adding persistence(created PGP keys, keepass database, browser bookmarks, etc.), and then backing up. None of the drives had any problems at all with this test.

Then each pair was upgraded to Tails 3.0 following the manual upgrade instructions, including making sure persistence was preserved, and then backing up. Both the Kingston and Transcend drives were unable to complete the upgrade until the code from Tails site was entered into root terminal.

And finally each pair of drives was completely wiped to start a new fresh install of Tails 3.0 following the same instructions as before, with persistence, and then backing up. Same problem with the Kingston and Transcend again until entering code in root terminal.

 

Some final notes:


Comments


[5 Points] dankgrilled:

This is awesome. Thank you for putting in the effort for this!


[5 Points] throwahooawayyfoe:

Add the Dane Elec 32gb to that list. Works flawlessly for me.


[2 Points] BobbyLite79:

Damn. Ordered the Lexars because my Kingstons gave the error so figured they wouldn't work anymore. Oh well.


[1 Points] None:

Great work, enjoy the gold.


[1 Points] BigOlBarb087:

Lexars are great


[1 Points] svere21:

Sounds like LE finding my USB baasbabsbbsbdbdbd


[1 Points] thatboydubby:

Are pretty much all sandisk USBs fucked when trying to use tails?


[1 Points] iamaxc:

Ah dang, I recently tried installing with two different Kingston's I had lying around and both had the same error message you mentioned.

Wound up buying a generic one from Walmart and it works fine.


[1 Points] FlyingHighKiwi:

Awesome thanks for the info My_s3cr3t, I didnt know about the "USB Work Around" excellent! My SanDisk Cruzer Fit CZ33 Mini Nano came up with the error message so will try work around.

These USB Micro SD/SDXC/TF Adapters work: http://www.ebay.com/itm/MINI-5Gbps-Super-Speed-USB-3-0-Micro-SD-SDXC-TF-Card-Reader-Adapter-GFY-/381124277057?epid=1271844574&hash=item58bcc6f341:g:YPAAAOSwa39Ut88l

I like using these as you could easly crush the Micro SD/SDXC/TF card if you wanted to destroy the data, not that you need to when using a tails install using a persistent volume.