Backing up to a sandisk 8 gb cruzer

[PattiChati]

I have been writing before in a different forum that had kind of died out. I just bought a Cruzer Blade USB flash drive, 8 gb, to back up my computer - windows 7.
It still doesn't like it. I cannot get an external hard drive and this wasn't that expensive. It says to please insert a d/dvd/or usb drive. Well I did that and it gives me an error to insert a dvd. Why wouldln't I be able to back up on an 8 gb back drive.
All I want to back up is my data anyway and not sure how to get just that.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

The computer see's the inserted usb drive correct? Remember what drive letter it's assigned and copy and paste the data you want directly to it, if needed create a folder in the usb for the data.

 

[Tepid]

I personally do not ever recommend flash drives as a backup medium.
They are not reliable. They have a life span and do go bad.
External Hard Drives are always highly preferred.

However,,, what application are you trying to use to run a back up?
If you are using Windows Back up, it may not like backing up to a Flash Drive,
They are seen as Removable Media. I am not completely familiar with Windows Backup so can not say for sure.
But if that is the case, then the flash drive may not work. Or it may be too small?

The other option is drag and drop

 

[whs]

I have made images to USB sticks using Macrium. Provided the stick can hold the image (which is a bit more than 50% of the data you want to image), it will work.

 

[PattiChati]

I put the usb in and go to computers and it doesn't even show up there that I have a usb drive in. I tried a DVD and it worked, but I would much prefer to use a usb. When you say which application am I using. I just put in the usb,, go to my "pictures" and tried to drag and drop except there was nothing there.. So I don't know if I used a program.

 

[PattiChati]

It is an 8 gb usb

 

[PattiChati]

linnem - when I go to computer is does not recognize a usb

 

[parabellum]

Open the start menu, right click on computer, then manage, then disk management. Do you see 8GB of unallocated space?

 

[whs]

That is strange. Normally it would first install the driver (you see a ballon on the bottom right) and then Autoplay should come up. Did you tra another USB port?

PS: The advantage if you image the data is that it gets compressed and you can fit appr. twice as much data.

 

[PattiChati]

yes parabellum I saw the 8 gb of unallocated space.
I was just trying to drag my documents which are 3 gb onto this usb and it says it will take 22 hours?????

 

[parabellum]

Right click the unallocated space before you copy anything and allocate a drive letter that is available - E:\ or G:\ or anything, then in Windows Explorer, right click the USB and select format. Quick format it to NTFS.

 

[PattiChati]

I looked at some pictures that must have copies and they are all coming through my adobe photoshop elements.
This is too complicated for me. Can we pick this up tomorrow or should I just get a bunch of DVD's?

 

[PattiChati]

should I just use dvd's and pick this up again Monday?

 

[parabellum]

The USB should work fine. I don't think DVD's are a good idea, you can damage them too easily although DL do fit over 8GB in terms of space; the choice is yours.

 

[whs]

Well, the USB stick should work unless it is defetive or there is a problem with the USB port. As to the pictures showing with photoshop: I assume they are .jpg or .png. Then that is a simple assoiation problem which you can change to any other program.

PS: have a look in Device Manager whether there are any yellow triangles next to the USB Controllers.

 

[PattiChati]

no yellow triangles. Now that I have the USB working. What is the simplest way to get the info over there. Now when I want to back up pictures again in 6 months, do I use the same usb or put it on a new one? Thanks so much.

 

[PattiChati]

can you continue to add documents, banking stuff, etc on this usb until it is full or do you have to have a separate one for each data?

 

[parabellum]

You can add stuff until it is full. I'd separate it into folders. Now you need a backup program that supports incremental updates.

 

[James Colbert]

As mentioned earlier in the thread, using flash memory as your only backup is risky if your files are important. It may be simpler and faster, but it's not as reliable as optical disc or HD. It's good that you are committed to backup, but if DVD is not optimal, an external drive is your best bet, albeit at a higher cost (but quite reasonable these days). If the budget can stand $70-$100, you can get an external USB 2.0 drive and use (free) sync toy (or included software) and have a reliable, fast and likely (for your current needs) bottomless backup option.

Here are a few:
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more!

James

 

[whs]

I am not so negative about the USB sticks. I have more than a dozen of those from 2 GB to 16GB and none has ever failed. In fact, on runs a slideshow on my sidebarsince 3 years 12 hours per day and is still working.

What I suggest is that you create folders on the stick for the various subjects (pictures, banking, etc) and fill it up until it is full. This is not a CD or DVD where you cannot add once it is burnt. It is like a disk where you can keep adding until full.