Back up trouble

[chariot5]

When performing full backup in using windows xp pro back up utility I
encounter a problem at 4.2 kb of the 6.4 total files I'm trying to back up to
a flash drive. New flash key holds 16 kb, when the backup reaches 4.2 it
states my tape is full to provide another tape. It has done this at precisely
the same spot on 2 different flash keys. Any idea why?

 

[Leonard Grey]

Do you mean MB (megabytes), not kb (kilobits)?

The maximum file size for the FAT32 file system used by your flash drive
is 4 MB.

 

[Doug]

Do you mean GB (gigabytes), not MB (megabytes)?

OP if this is for a long term storage backup solution get an external
harddrive. I would not trust a flash drive.

If it's just for a quick backup/restore for maintanence issues etc... like
LG said reformat your stick using NTFS.

D

 

[chariot5]

Yes, MB Thank you. Is it possible to format the flash from FAT32 system files
to receive NTFS files from my system?

 

[chariot5]

GB. Thank you. How do I format the flash from FAT32 system files to receive
NTFS files from my system? You're right an external hard drive is probably
best. If I succeed in reformatting, can large amount of data be at least
transferred by flash key without long term storage?

 

[Leonard Grey]

Thank you, Doug, I did mean GB (gigabytes) and not MB.

Yes, you can reformat your flash drive to NTFS, but it's not the
greatest idea.

To reformat, you have to move everything off the flash drive, then
right-click on the drive icon and select Format. After the format is
done, move everything back.

There are several disadvantages to using NTFS on a flash drive. You can
read about them with a web search, but I'll summarize them here:
* Much slower writing to the drive
* Unreadable by operating systems that do not use NTFS, e.g., MACs, Linux.
* Ownership rights are enforced, so you will likely see “Access denied”
messages on other computers.

A flash drive is not a good destination for backing up. Instead, buy an
external hard drive. If you /really/ want to use a flash drive, leave it
as FAT32 and split your backups in 4 GB chunks.

 

[Grand_Poobah]

Leonard:

Wouldn't the 'CONVERT' command work on an external drive as long as it
had a drive letter? I've never tried it on an external/flash drive, but
it seems to me it should work.

I also agree to your reasons for NOT converting it.

GP

--->

 

[Leonard Grey]

I don't honestly know if CONVERT works with external devices. Hopefully,
someone else reading the thread will know.

On the other hand, as long as someone has backed up the contents of
their flash drive, I suppose there's no harm in trying.