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45 of 47 found the following review helpful:
SanDisk 32GB Ultra BackupJul 05, 2009
By JJ Excellent data transfer speed. Retractable USB plug is great. Overall extremely pleased with build and functionality. Before purchasing I have always leaned toward Sony Microvault due to the retractable feature. Now I have a second choice. As with all drives, 32GB does not mean this is the available storage you actually have 29.8GB available. I have briefly used the backup feature. Basically you can select any directory and the Flash Dive will back that directory up by pressing the button on the Flash drive. There are additional feature that allow for customizing the backup process. Hope this helps somebody.
26 of 29 found the following review helpful:
Caveat EmptorJan 15, 2010
By TheShadow The U3 application for this drive does not work with Windows 7. To update the U3 application you need to update the drive using Windows XP per SanDisk. Once you update the U3 application, the Backup utility does not work with Windows 7. If you use Windows XP or Vista, this may provide a viable backup solution. On Windows 7 it does not. Returned to point of purchase for a refund. SanDisk crossed off reliable hardware vendor list.
26 of 32 found the following review helpful:
Not upset but not pleased eitherAug 21, 2009
By Daniel D. Strassberg
"AM Geek"
I purchased a SanDisk Ultra Backup 32 GB from Amazon/Outlet last week. It arrived a couple of days ago in good condition and it works, but I can't say that I'm a fan of the product! I own nearly a dozen USB memory sticks of lower capacity, none made by Sandisk. This is the first of them that is unencapsulated--that is, the shell is not filled with epoxy. This construction makes the unit less physically rugged than the others. This is my first U3 device. U3 USB devices come with pre-installed software. In this case, the software enables the device to perform file backups. I guess the writers of this software believe that the user interface is self explanatory; it is not. The unit absolutely requires a manual but none is included in the package, none is stored in the device, and as far as I can tell, none is available for download either from SanDisk's Web site or the U3 consortium's Web site. Yes, I've been able to learn a lot by poking around Web sites, reading FAQs, and making my own mistakes, but this time-consuming adventure should not be necessary.
One of the most frustrating aspects of the device is how long backups appear to take. I can't quote figures on the required time, but updating an existing backup of a partition to which I had added only a few relatively small files took about 1/2 hour. Worse yet, there is no easy way to learn when a backup has been completed. You have to figure out how to open the backup application's main menu and see whether the "backup complete" button is displayed.
As with any external mass-storage device, you should never, never, never unplug the device while there is a possibility than writes to memory might be taking place. Failure to observe this precaution, which I found nowhere in any of the on-line documentation, can render the device useless and unrepairable! The backup application includes a "safely remove the backup device" click option, BUT be warned that this option does not work if you are displaying a directory of the memory stick with Windows Explorer (aka the file manager). You must close the file manager before the "OK to remove" popup box appears.
All in all, I give the device failing grades for software documentation and backup speed. I suggest that you purchase a memory stick that does not include backup software and use separately purchased software to perform your backups.
13 of 16 found the following review helpful:
Waste of MoneyDec 27, 2010
By John Pearcy
"Bookworm"
Before I bought this I asked if it would work with Windows 7. I was told YES by SanDisk technical support. Well, it does NOT work with Windows 7. The drivers are incompatible. I can use it on my friends computer using Windows XP. I can use it on my work computer using Windows Vista. But when I try using it in Windows 7 the drivers start to load, are found incompatible and then the drive is useless. I spent hours trying to talk this over with SanDisk technical support. They just ran me around in nonsensical circles. I'd tell them the Wondows 7 operating system has reported the drivers as incompatible and they would tell me the SanDisk drivers come pre-ploaded on the drive and will work with Windows 7 therefore there is no problem. I'd say, but it is not working and they would tell me to contact my computer manufacturer. I'd tell them it is the SanDisk drivers that are not working and they would tell me SanDisk drivers come pre-ploaded on the drive and will work with Windows 7 therefore there is no problem.
This is not the only problem with this product, which I could see testing it on my friends computer. It is slow, REALLY SLOW. I tried to transfer a big block of date and it took about 6 hours. Granted it was a lot of data, but when I used a different thumb drive it took about 45 minutes.
Ny suggesting is "DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT".
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Works Well, Afraid I'll Break ItNov 23, 2010
By Stephanie Peck I received this flash drive as a gift about a month ago and was excited to use it. My laptop has had a variety of problems over the last six months and I planned to use this flash drive to store music, pictures, and documents. I wanted to free up disk space on my computer and have important items backed up in case the laptop went out for good. The flash drive itself is completely functional- my computer recognized it immediately and it's been very easy to move files to it.
The only complaint I have about this item is the USB connector. It's controlled by a sliding mechanism on the body of the device. While it's neat and convenient to slide the connector into the device (and not have to keep up with a cap), the connector feels a bit flimsy when it's extended. It bends, and I am certain it would break if any pressure was exerted on it. I don't believe this is a situation that will arise frequently (pressure on the connector), but I'd like it to feel a bit more secure for my own peace of mind.
Overall, it's an excellent and functional product with a minor design choice that isn't to my personal liking.
based on 17 reviews
( 17 customer reviews )
