It continued to run without fault for a day or so, but it is now giving intermittent core errors that shut down bitcoin core.
What errors?Quote
Prior to switching to the USB stick, I performed a full format, and checked for errors. All seemed to be perfect, as one would expect from a Sandisk product.
Can you check the stick for errors again? Are you sure it's a real one? I've seen countless fake USB sticks.Quote
I have come to the conclusion that it is not viable to use a USB link for the blockchain, could anyone verify that this is so please?
I see no reason why it couldn't work. After all, it's just data. But: I wouldn't put chainstate on the USB stick, it writes far too much and will quickly wear out the stick.I would create a normal .bitcoin directory in your home directory, and from there symlink blocks to the external device.
