Backup to a Flash Drive

[justkay]

I tried to backup selected files (5.35 GB worth) onto an 8 GB flash drive.
After about 4+ GB were copied, I got a message telling me my target drive was
full & was asked to mount another to continue.

What is going on?

I have XP Pro & was using their backup utility.

 

[Big_Al]

I tried to backup selected files (5.35 GB worth) onto an 8 GB flash drive.
After about 4+ GB were copied, I got a message telling me my target drive was
full & was asked to mount another to continue.

What is going on?

I have XP Pro & was using their backup utility.

If you are using a backup utility that makes one file, like a zip file
then the issue might be the format of the flash. If its formatted FAT
then fat cannot store more than 4 Gig in one file. You need NTFS to
store larger than 4 gigs per file.

 

[justkay]

Yes, the flash drive is FAT32. Can it be formatted to NTFS?

 

[Big_Al]

Yes, the flash drive is FAT32. Can it be formatted to NTFS?

Not sure, you'll just have to test it. Open Disk Management and see.

 

[justkay]

Yes, it can be reformatted to NTFS as long as the flash drive is not a Sony.
If one goes to www.ntfs.com/quest22.htm & follows the instructions, the flash
drive can be formatted. I tried it & its worked. Then I ran my backup of
selected files that required 5.39 GB for the backup file successfully. I
wanted to use that flash drive for backing up until I get an external hard
drive. This will hold me until then. Then I will reformat the flash drive
back to FAT32, since that seems to be a more usable file format.

Thanks for your help, Big_Al!

 

[Big_Al]

Yes, it can be reformatted to NTFS as long as the flash drive is not a Sony.
If one goes to www.ntfs.com/quest22.htm & follows the instructions, the flash
drive can be formatted. I tried it & its worked. Then I ran my backup of
selected files that required 5.39 GB for the backup file successfully. I
wanted to use that flash drive for backing up until I get an external hard
drive. This will hold me until then. Then I will reformat the flash drive
back to FAT32, since that seems to be a more usable file format.

Thanks for your help, Big_Al!

I use an 8G flash drive but I use Microsoft's RoboCopy utility to move
selected folders & files for backup. I never tried NTFS on a flash,
just my HD. Glad to know it works. I ran into that with my USB HD
when trying to do an Acronis backup one day.

 

[justkay]

I am unfamiliar with RoboCopy but will give it a try.

Thanks again!

 

[Big_Al]

I am unfamiliar with RoboCopy but will give it a try.

Thanks again!

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...69-57ff-4ae7-96ee-b18c4790cffd&displaylang=en
Its part of this package from microsoft.
Robocopy C:\my_things G:\my_things /MIR
is the basic command that I use. This mirrors the entire C:\my_things
onto the G drive. And by mirror, it will delete files that were
deleted and copy new files and update any that change. Its better
than copy as copy keeps old copies without deleting them. This latter
item is the feature I needed to overcome.

You install (if you want) the MS Resource kit and it just puts all the
executables in a folder for you and makes a shell (command line) icon in
the start menu. It even adds a help icon too. Its not a real messy
install like some programs.

Read the web page and have fun.