How to Use a Flash Drive to Back Up Data
Flash dives are increasingly being used to back up data. Flash drives offer better security, portability and storage capacity than CDs or floppy discs. A flash drive's storage capacity usually ranges between 32 MB to 2 GB. Here is how to use your flash drive to back up data.
Instructions
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Creating Backup on a PC
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Determine the exact amount of data you need for backup. This will determine the appropriate size of the flash drive you should use.
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Note that a majority of flash drives are plug-'n-play on the latest PC operating systems.
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Plug the flash drive into the USB port of your CPU. Wait until the system detects the drive.
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Go to My Computer. Locate the flash drive icon and click on it. This will open the contents of the drive.
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Open the location of the files or folders you wish to store on your flash drive.
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Copy or drag the files you wish to store on the flash drive to its folder.
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Look for the plus sign (+) on the flash drive icon if you are transferring files without opening the drive's folder. Release the mouse as soon as the plus sign (+) appears. This signifies that the data is now copied to your flash drive.
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Verify that the data/file is stored by double-clicking the file name in the flash drive explorer window.
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Ensure that you do not disconnect the drive directly from the machine after you have finished storing the files, as it may distort the data.
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Go to the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon situated at the bottom of the Window's tray. Click "Eject" or the "Remove the Hardware Safely" option when finished.
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Click on "Stop." Wait until the "It is now safe to remove the hardware" message appears.
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Unplug the flash drive from the USB port, as the files/folders have been properly stored.
Creating Backup on a Mac
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Determine the amount of data you need to transfer. This will help you decide the appropriate size of the flash drive.
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Plug the flash drive into the USB port of your CPU.
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Locate the USB drive icon on the desktop.
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Open the location of the files/folders you wish to share on your flash drive.
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Copy or drag the files you wish to store on flash drive to its folder.
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Look for the plus sign (+) on the flash drive icon if you are transferring files without opening the drive's folder. Release the mouse as soon as the plus sign (+) appears. This signifies that the data is now copied to your flash drive.
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Verify that the data/file is stored by double-clicking the file name in the flash drive explorer window.
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Do not disconnect the drive immediately from the machine after you have finished storing the files, as this may distort the data.
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Drag the flash drive icon to the "Trash Can" icon. The Trash Can icon will change to "Eject."
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Remove the flash drive after its icon disappears from the desktop.
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Tips & Warnings
Create a new folder in your flash drive and give it a name, such as "Stored Files" or "Backups." This will prevent the files from being edited without notice.
When in use, the flash drive shows a red/blue light. Before unplugging, make sure the light is off.
Use a USB extension cable to plug in the flash drive if you are unable to access the USB port on the computer.