Using USB sticks for backup on x64 systems.

[Noid]

I been doing some comparing backup solutions. And, I was not able to locate info on the use of USB 2.0 sticks on x64 file systems.

I see that by default they are formatted FAT32.
( NOT the same file system as NTFS x64 )

Is there any issues moving data to, and from these different formats?

My MB has a USB 3.0 port also. So, I'm temped by the high speeds of data transfer now.

It's very appealing to me to use these as backups.
( Some warrantied for 5 years. )

TIA

 

[Damascus]

I would not trust these things for long term data retention. NAND memory isn't meant for that.

 

[goobernoodles]

Just had a flash drive die last week. Don't trust it.

 

[razel]

There are no file systems meant for 64 bit OSs only. The main limitation of FAT32 is a max size of 4GB per file. The only other issue I can think of is in enterprise environments where NTFS file permissions get lost when copied to FAT32.

Feel free to use USB sticks for backup, especially for smallish documents. I do so for tax documents and miscellaneous word and office files that I eventually don't access often after awhile. I've been carrying around a tiny USB flash drive in my wallet that gets crushed, tossed, and farted on (rapid change in humidity for over 7 years and have not have any issues.

If you go this route, I highly recommend that you backup your backup. It's usually easiest to have two identical backups. There are two kinds I did. A rotating twice a year refresh backup and more recently now a bulk backup where all my smaller USB drives get copied onto a larger USB external drive that sits in a safe place.

Do whatever works and is easiest for you as long as you got two copies of it.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Don't trust any single backup, regardless of format. HDs crash, DVD discs rot, tapes break, fires burn everything.

I use an 8 GB flash drive as one of my backups since it's each to attach, copy new data files, eject, and stuff it in my pocket for off-site backup, but I also have HDs and discs.

 

[Spikesoldier]

i have my computer imaged to a 2.5" hdd which is shelved. i think the current image is eight or nine months old.

then again, since everything in my house is all ssd, all my real data is elsewhere on the network, which can suffer a disk failure.

even then im not protected all the way, i think the next step i can take is offsite storage (safe deposit box).

i envisioned a large keychain of usb drives strung along as various albums of family pictures. this way, my house can suffer a fire, and my family killed, but ill still have these.

but at the end of the day, multiple copies on multiple mediums will always be the most resilient solution.

 

[Noid]

Thanks for everyone's feedback.

I thought it would be easier and faster to use these instead of DVD's.
And, yes, have an additional external HD as insurance.

 

[Emulex]

hp sells usb sticks 2gb for $70 that are SLC. i think they rebadged lexmark. those will last forever. (vmware certified)

 

[VirtualLarry]

hp sells usb sticks 2gb for $70 that are SLC. i think they rebadged lexmark. those will last forever. (vmware certified)

Except, data-retention lifetimes are no better. I think that is what they were referring to.