If you are someone that stores a lot of information on your computer system, you should know the necessity of creating a back up for all those files. A memory stick (or USB flash drive) is an external device that is used to store data that comes in a variety of sizes and forms. It uses flash memory instead of a disk (which is normally used on a hard drive) as its storage. A memory stick can transfer information from almost any computer system so you can travel with it wherever you wish
Things you will need
- Memory Stick (USB flash drive)
- Computer system
Instructions
- Buy a memory stick from an electronic store or on the internet. You can talk to an expert to find out what size works best for the type of information you want to store. Memory sticks range from 128MB up to 64 GB of flash memory. Some memory sticks have the capability to also have a music player so you can connect your headphones and listen to music as well.
- Once you’ve received your memory stick, insert it into the USB slot on your computer to make sure it is working and fully functionally. Check the size and create the folders you want to use.
- Once this is done organize all the files and folders you want to back up. You can either right click the file or folder you want to back up and send it to the removable disk or media. Or you can right click the file, then copy and paste the content onto the memory stick.
- If you are working on a file like a word or excel file, you can save the project directly to the memory stick without having to save it to the computer first. Just follow the same procedure, click either ‘Save’ or ‘Save as’ name the file and select the memory stick and save it there.
- When you are done with the memory stick, safely eject it from the computer. To do this go to taskbar, at the bottom right corner and you will see a green eject icon. Left click this icon and ‘safely remove USB mass storage device’ will appear, and left click this again depending on the name of the drive. Then remove the memory stick from the computer and put back on its cap
- When you are ready to use the memory stick again, repeat the same procedure. You may also access files directly from the memory stick whether through a program or by just going directly to the file to open it.
- If the memory stick can be used as an mp3’s as well just connect your headphones and navigate through your selection of songs and play as you see fit wherever you go. Now you have the best of worlds, a media player and a storage device.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Try to back up your files from your computer as often as possible, some persons practice this every other day or like the end of every week.
- Do not allow the memory stick to be exposed to water or extreme heat, this may cause it to not work and you will lose information.
- Make sure you keep your memory stick in a safe place and never leave it in a computer without you being there, persons could access unauthorized information without your knowledge.
