Problems Backing Up To A Usb Memory Stick

[Rodge2]

I usually back up 'My Documents' to a USB stick. However I have had problems with a new stick - a Verbatim Store n Go. The files went on to it fine the first time, but the second time, when I tried to overwrite the files with the new versions, it keeps saying there is not enough room on the stick and indicates the small remaining portion of the stick that is unused. I realize that there must be some write protection that was switched on when I got it, but am unable to work out what to do. Running Windows 7. Grateful for any help anyone can offer.

[Old_Geezer]

I'm wondering if that is normal action.
To prevent you losing everything in the event of an error does the file get written and confirmed ok, before the old one is deleted ? Is your new drive smaller, or have the files got bigger ?

[bhg481]

How are you doing the backup? Are you using some software or just doing drag-and-drop or a manual copy?

[Rodge2]

@Old_Geezer So if it gets written and confirmed before the old one is deleted, then I just need a memory stick with a larger capacity. I can't imagine the files would have got a lot bigger, but I'll check that.

@bhg481 I'm doing the backup just as a manual copy in Windows explorer. A bit primitive I know, but it always worked before :)

Thanks for your help.

[bhg481]

Are you deleting the first copy before attempting the new copy? If not it will expect there to be enough space to do the copy before it starts, even though you may be replacing some of the files. Deleting the files before you do the new copy leaves you vulnerable for a short time; why not buy a secong memory stick and use them alternately? ie make one copy, the next week use the other stick, the 3rd week erase the first memory stick and re-use it etc. That way you have 2 copies of your data (as well as the original) for most of the time, even though one copy is more out of date than the other.

[Rodge2]

@bhg481 Right, I didn't realize it expected there to be enough room for two copies before it will commence the current copy. That must be what is causing the problem. Thanks a lot, I'll try with a bigger capacity stick.

[bhg481]

Yes, it works out how much space is needed for the copy, then looks at the space available and, if it's not sufficient, it complains. At that stage it doesn't realise you're not actually going to make a complete second copy and that you're just going to add afew, delete a few and replace a few. A bigger stick will solve the problem but I'd still recommend 2 sticks used alternately.

[ichkeria]

Are you using windows?
Why not use File History to do your backups automatically.
It's much less hassle
It won't solve the issue you describe admittedly

[ichkeria]

Sorry Windows 7 - in which case File History won't be available