Windows 7 & Toshiba 500 External Hard Drive

[Lynn_M]

This External Hard Drive came with no written-on-paper instructions, except that I should plug it into my computer and the instructions would come up on screen. I did that, and all it told me was that it was now 'fully installed.'

What do I do next? I wish to save all of my downloads (mostly pictures, but also some written word documents), then set the computer back to its factory settings.

I know nothing about Computer Maintenance and the local college refuses to teach it, so I'm relying on you guys

[Old_Geezer]

Does it not now show up in Windows Explorer, assigned a drive letter, so you can use it like your other drives.

[Buenchico]

I assume that you require detailed instructions for copying your files (rather than just locating the new drive), so here goes:

As O_G indicates, you should be able to see the new drive simply by going to 'Computer' (or 'My Computer') from the Start button. Your internal hard drive will (almost certainly) be shown as Drive C. Your DVD drive will probably be shown as Drive D. (If you've got a second DVD drive it will probably be Drive E). The next available letter in the alphabet will be assigned to your new drive (which will probably also show something like 'USB Drive').

When you've worked out which drive it is, double-click on its icon to show its contents. (Since you've not put anything on it yet, you'll probably see an empty window but the manufacturer might have put some files on it, so you could see a folder or two there).

If the window showing your new drive's contents takes up a lot of the screen, resize it by dragging its edges in a bit. (i.e.place your cursor on an edge and, when it changes to a double-headed arrow, hold the left mouse button down while dragging that edge towhere you want it). That's because you'll need another window open on your screen at the same time.

Right-click within the window and select 'New > Folder'. Type a name for that folder (such as 'Document Copies') and press 'Enter'. Then press 'Enter' again (or double-click on the folder) to open that folder.

Now go to 'Documents' (or 'My Documents') from the Start menu. You'll now have two windows open side-by-side. (If you need to resize the Documents window, do so as above).

To copy a single document (or folder) from 'Documents' to 'Document Copies' simply click-&-drag it from one window to the other.

To copy a block of documents, click on the first one to highlight it and then hold Shift down and click on the last one. (That will highlight the entire block). Then click-&-drag the block across.

To copy a selection of the documents (that aren't grouped together in a block), click on the first one to highlight it. Then hold Ctrl down while clicking on each of the other documents that you want to select. When they're all highlighted, click-&-drag the selected files across.

You can then repeat the processes above to create (for example) a folder called 'Picture Copies' on your new hard drive and copy images across to it.

Remember that if you want to unplug any USB device (including your new hard drive), while you computer is still switched on, you need to use 'Safely Remove Hardware' (from the bottom right of your screen) to disconnect the power to it first. (Alternatively remove it when your computer is turned off. That's always safe).

[Lynn_M]

The External Hard Drive has indeed came up as the 'F' drive on my computer, listed as 'TOSHIBA EXT (F:)' I found it by clicking on the Manila file looking-thing at the bottom left of the screen. I've clicked on TOSHIBA EXT (F:)' and two files have came up (if that's the correct term), 'HP_RECOVERY (D) - Shortcut' & 'TOSHIBA CANVIO BASICS'

I've clicked on 'HP_RECOVERY (D) - Shortcut' and an old list of written word documents came up (maybe they need to be 'recovered?)

When I clicked on 'TOSHIBA CANVIO BASICS,' vague details about the External Hard Drive came up (in about 100 different languages!).

There is a Youtube tutorial which corresponds with what Buenchico is saying, but unfortunately, my computer's a Windows 7 whilst the one in the tutorial is for Apple.

How do I get the two windows open, as described by Buenchico and the Youtube tutorial? They've opened up on two separate pages

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXRqQXp20dg

[Buenchico]

>>>They've opened up on two separate pages

I'm not sure that I fully understand that but I'll still try to answer anyway!

You're aiming to get your screen looking roughly like this:
http://www.aztcs.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/copying/copying_files/image025.jpg
(That's just a random image I found via Google. What's actually in the windows shown there has no relevance to your question).

If a window opens to full screen size you can make it smaller by clicking on the 'Restore Down' box at the top right of your screen. (It's two overlapping squares). You can then drag the edges of it as per my instructions above.

If the windows open at less than full-screen size anyway, you simply need to drag the edges.

If the second window overlaps the first (or you otherwise need to move a window to get it to fit better onto your screen) simply click on the bar at the top of it and (keeping your mouse button held down) drag the window to where you want it to be.

[Lynn_M]

Got it now. Thanks Buenchico, thanks everyone