Workflow for 16G Usb key flash backup?

I put all my data on a 16G usb flash drive. It has something like 10,000 files on it, organized neatly in a directory with about 10 folders at the root. I use this regularly on both a PC and a Mac. About 8GB contains data. I want to back it up weekly, but how? Ideally I would back it up to another USB key on occasion as well as a hard disk.
* A file copy just takes too long and invariably stops in the middle with an arcane message.
* The external drive I use to back up the Mac is a Time Machine, which uses an incremental approach not suited to the USB key.
* I am willing to do something simpleminded, like copy the USB contents to a folder on the Mac, archive it, then let Time Machine back it up. That seems inelegant.
* I would be happy to delete the files on the duplicate USB key and recopy the primary to it. But...
* A related problem is that just deleting files on the duplicate USB key doesn't actually reclaim the disk space. Emptying trash does not seem to work either.
What's the best way to keep the USB key backed up?
Thanks!

This probably is not a job for software like Time Machine that is designed to back up whole machines.
You can try using regular old file sync software between any two drives. On the Mac such utilities include ChronoSync, FoldersSynchronizer, ExecutiveSync, File Synchronization,etc. You will find a wide selection of them at versiontracker.com or macupdate.com. Typically you can load any two locations into one of these programs and tell it to just sync 'em up. I use one to sync between a project folder on my Mac and the same project folder on a USB drive or another Mac over the network.
I guess you'll want to pick a utility that preserves both Mac and PC file formats.

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Wich file system is recomended for an usb key? [SOLVED]

Hi. I have an 8Gb USB Stick (USB key or pendrive).
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So, wich file system is recomended to use on an usb key??
Should i use ext3, reiserfs, xfs, jfs??? or maybe ext4???
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Last edited by Thalskarth (2009-02-12 03:05:33)

BoppreH wrote:Isn't there any chance that you might need to stick it at a Windows based computer?
I use it for backups, so i wont need it. i have another one much smaller for that cases
Xyne wrote:Wouldn't a journalling filesystem reduce the lifetime of the USB stick?
Wintervenom wrote:Go with ext2. You generally do not want a journaled filesystem on a Flash device. It may cut the device's lifespan by up to fifty percent or more.
I was afraid of something like that... thanks for the advice
so, ext2 would be the best option, wouldn't it?
Thanks to all for your help

Does it has an adaptor for a USB key for Ipad2 to use my document on a regular PC ?

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Also see here:
You can use iTunes File Sharing as well.
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USB key ejecting itself when transferring large files

I have a LG 16G USB key formatted in MacOS extended (journaled), I've been encountering a particular issue when I try to transfer files taken on another computer and copying them from the key to my Macbook pro ( OSX 10.6.2). after it start transferring it ejects itself with the "the disk was not ejected properly" message, then reappears right away in the finder...
the problem doesn't present itself when I copy a file from my macbook pro to the key, and then try transferring it back to my computer. and I've tried this with both small files (under 200mb) and large files (over 4G).
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Hi,
I have an external USB Card reader (indeed - two different readers), which have the same problems with self-ejecting disks. Every transfer of data from SD card from my camera is the pain now. There is many different themes related to the self-"the disk was not ejected properly" situation, but no working solution now.

USB key for flash 2900 routers

Gi/Gals
We have been using USB keys to update the firmware on routers and to provide backup copies of ios (usbflash:). It seems that the 2900 series routers are a bit more selective about what USB keys they will accept, where the 2800s don't seem to care. I have tried partitioning, and a range of different formats, but other than buying the USBs from Cisco, non-Cisco USB keys don't seem to work. Does anyone have any tips here that might allow me to use non-Cisco USB keys.
thanks
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I've been using non-Cisco USB thumb drive (and non-Cisco CF) since 2007.
Not all USB thumb drives are supported. It gets even worst. Let's say you have a Lexar 2Gb thumb drive that works. So you get a bigger one of the same "model", a 4 Gb or 8Gb or 16Gb. Guess what, they may or may not work. The 8Gb may work but the 4Gb and 16Gb may not (or in some other insane combination).
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I have been using my usb as my backup for time machine and now I want to unlock it and use it as a normal usb. How can I do this?

I am having trouble switching my usb from a backup for my time machine to a normal usb for my files.

Have you reformatted the drive?
Just go to Disk Utility (Applications>Utilities folder), select the drive and erase it, formatting it as "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" with a single GUID partition. You may want to change the name of the drive when you erase it.
Have you tried that?
Clinton

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It is possible. It certainly has to spend time mounting the USB key info to the system while it boots up since it attempts to mount every file system connected to it when it starts up. Try booting without it to see if it makes a difference.

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This is my weirdest issue ever:
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Hello Folks,
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-- EDIT --
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Workflow for 16G Usb key flash backup?

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