external hard drives

[captainkirk]

i have just got an external hard drive but i do not know how to get the data off my laptop off it . can you help please

[vehelpfulguy]

Each drive on your computer has a drive letter (C, D, E, F etc).

Each computer is different so I dont know what your setup is, but a basic computer usually has a main hard disk, called the "C" drive.

It can also have one or two CD/DVD drives ("D" if you have one drive or "D" and "E" if you have 2 drives).

When you plug your external hard drive in it will become the next available letter, maybe "E" or "F".

So what you need to do is MOVE files from your "C" drive to your new external drive, say "E".

There are a number of ways to do this in Windows, and one of the ways is with Windows Explorer.

There are a few places on the web that teach you how to use Explorer, and here are some:

http://www.mrbillsadventureland.com/howto/move files/movefiles.htm

http://www.geekgirls.com/absolute_beginners_06 .htm

To get other examples search in Google for phrases like "Moving files in Windows" and things like that.

[vehelpfulguy]

WORD OF WARNING.

Your "C" drive will be full of files, many will be system files used by Windows and other programs, some will be your personal files.

ONLY MOVE YOUR PERSONAL FILES.

AND ONLY THEN IF THEY ARE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ANOTHER PROGRAM.

For example, lets suppose you have loads of digital photos on your "C" drive, or maybe some movies you have downloaded from the internet.

These are fine to move from your "C" drive to your external drive.

But lets also assume you have itunes and have used it to download a load of mp3 files.

If you move these from "C" to "D" then your itunes program is going to get very confused.

(mp3 files you have downloaded with limewire and other similar programs are OK to move)

So take things carefully when you are moving files, you cant just move everything from "C" to your external drive. If you do you may well find your laptop stops working.

[captainkirk]

Thanks for that, but the external hard drive has 3 USB connectors. Where do I connect the 3rd one to, assuming that one goes to the computer and one to the ext hard drive?

[fo3nix]

It may have 3 but you don't have to use all of them. You just need one cable from PC to external drive, and often a power cable for the external drive too. That's it.

[captainkirk]

Thanks fo. Being a complete duffer at this, I really appreciate all the help!

[ACtheTROLL]

I assume you are using Windows XP.
(if you have Vista the built in backup options are good (something had to be))

VHG is correct .. no 2 machines are the same ... but the layout is generally similar (if you'd changed system folders - you wouldn't be posting here ;-)

The new external drive will look just like another (local) hard disc so .....
the only way of identifying it in my computer is .... it's the one that wasn't there before! .... or if you unplug it (with my computer open) it will be the one that isn't there now!

ok?

If you are only interested in moving data
(and haven't scattered file everywhere)... all you need to do is to copy the contents of "My Documents" to your new drive.
and in future save any new files there as well

If you actually intend to use the disc for backups (a better option)
You can either do this manually (as above) ... or use the backup tools provided with XP to include favourites and other data - see
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup /learnmore/bott_03july14.mspx

If this seems too complicated but sticking with microsoft - you could download the free sync toy
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digit alphotography/prophoto/synctoy.mspx - which is also a good simple option

if you also need virus protection Norton 360 is a good multi purpose allrounder

if you have a little money to spare
acronis true image 10 home
or
norton backup and restore
are both good value (and pretty reliable)

or google something like "free backup tools" and see what sounds good.