Now you are using your flash device to store important data there is one thing you must do Back it up! While flash drives are relatively robust and secure you can misplace or loose them, delete files by accident, the list of problems is endless. But by the time you discover they are gone no amount of searching or software may be able to get things back for you and those files, pictures, videos or that blockbuster book may be gone forever.

Get into the habit backup now !

The simplest way is to utilise the Autoplay function of Windows. backup on autoplay insertionWhen you plug you flash device into the USB port windows will ask you what action you would like to take based on the contents of the autorun.inf file located on the device and subsequently Windows will present a menu box.

This all works by creating an MSDOS batch file that copies your files to and from your flash device and hard drive, you simply execute it by selecting the icon from this menu box. Hey presto backed up files, and here>> are the necessary files to do it.

If you want a fuller explanation of whats going on you will need to research how MSDOS batch file work or go to this forum at Sandstorming.com where everything is explained. One problem you could have is that Autoplay is switched off, then go here>> to switch Autoplay back on.

  • What should be on your drive

No idea of what you should have loaded on your flash drive, it really depends on how portable you want to be. If you are just transporting data from one machine to another the must haves are a file manager, back-up manager and possibly an auto menu system. The more capable you want to be the greater the list becomes, here are a few suggestions. Note these are all portable versions.

Home / Student
  • Menus pStart, Portable Apps Base Menu & Backup
  • Office Abiword, OpenOffice, Sunbird, Notepad++, Foxit
  • Graphics GIMP, Xnview
  • Internet Firefox, Thuunderbird, Miranda IM
  • Utility CCleaner, 7-Zip, SyncToy
  • Entertainment VLC Media player, Sudoku
  • Security LockNote


    • And this is for starters, your flashdrive becomes a much more usefull tool.
Advanced
  • Menus pStart, Portable Apps Base Menu
  • Office Abiword, OpenOffice, Sunbird, Notepad++, Foxit
  • Graphics GIMP, Xnview, Analyzer, WinSnap
  • Internet Firefox, Thuunderbird, Miranda IM, Gaim IM, FileZilla FTP
  • Utility CCleaner, 7-Zip, SyncToy, ClamWin, Restore, fileCommander, iDisk, deepBurner
  • Entertainment VLC Media player, Audacity, Sudoku
  • Security LockNote


    • With more data the need for backup becomes greater.
Developer
  • Menus pStart, Portable Apps Base Menu
  • Office Abiword, OpenOffice, Sunbird, Notepad++, Foxit
  • Graphics GIMP, Xnview
  • Internet Firefox, Thuunderbird, Miranda IM, Gaim IM, FileZilla FTP, Nvu
  • Develop Nvu, XAMPP, WOS, WAMP, Linux, CSS2 Tab
  • Utility CCleaner, 7-Zip, SyncToy, ClamWin, Restore, fileCommander, iDisk, deepBurner
  • Entertainment VLC Media player, Audacity, virtualDub


    • Remember to backup, as you are using this for development then those files now become much more important.
Technician
  • Menus pStart, Portable Apps Base Menu
  • Office Notepad++, Foxit
  • Graphics Xnview
  • Internet Firefox, Thuunderbird, FileZilla FTP, Nvu
  • Utility CCleaner, 7-Zip, SyncToy, ClamWin, Restore, fileCommander, iDisk, deepBurner, Trinity Linux
  • Entertainment VLC Media player
  • Diagnostics SANDRA, Autoruns, dirHTML,Drive Manager, Jkdefrag, PC Wizard, Undelete Plus, WinAudit, Registry Tweaker


    • Load you software tools and all your datasheets, add those little utility files and before you know it you will have a complete toolbox in your pocket.