External hard drive?

[drwhofan]

I've had my laptop (A Dell Inspiron 1501) for about three years now and, for the past few weeks, I've started getting messages saying it's running out of space. (specifically, it's something about OS:, but I can't remember exactly what it is without another one popping up.)

I've deleted pretty much everything I can by way of unnecessary programs but I'm still getting the same message. I was wondering if I could solve this by buying an external hard drive?

I've been looking them up but I can't quite fathom whether they are just for backing up documents and so on, or can actally be used to extend the space in general?

I realise I've had it for a while and it might actually just be time to get a new laptop, but that is absolutely not an option at the moment (No job, dwindling money) so I need to find out if this'll work.

Thanks!

[RATTER15]

Yes you can use it for backing up your documents or just to give you more space.

[woofgang]

Have you also compacted and defragged your drive? It sounds like its operating memory rather than hard drive space you are lacking. Chop out your cookies and browsing history as well.

[RATTER15]

More space to save your docs etc but not to install programmes on.

Just shift all your Docs, Music and pics etc to external.

[ChuckFickens]

If it's a virtual memory is low error then no, an external hard drive will not help at all.

Open my computer (or just computer if vista) and right click on your C drive and select properties, it will tell you the free space, what is it?