Billsotx Posted June 30, 2007 Report Posted June 30, 2007 If I look for an external hard drive to back-up my files, say from Best Buy, what do I look for? I've looked and after talking to the sales staff I known I don't know nothing about this. I've got an HP w/XP home ed. On the back of my machine is a vacant port labeled serial, there's another that's vacant with a little 3 point tree like symbol (USB or UBS or whatever I guess) and on the front there is a vacant serial port and two vacant SOBs with those same little tree symbols. All three look like they'll be easy to kick and break. Yeah I know move the thing to a more inconvenient place ... lol Quote
Members CitizenKate Posted June 30, 2007 Members Report Posted June 30, 2007 Bill, probably any of the USB drives will work fine for you. Just make sure it's big enough to hold all your data. To use it, all you do is plug it in, wait a few seconds, and Windows will tell you your device is ready to use. Then go to "My Computer", and you should see the new drive in the list there. Kate Quote
Billsotx Posted June 30, 2007 Author Report Posted June 30, 2007 Hi Kate, Thanks for the note. So just get a ext. HD that'll plug to a USB and when it boots or whatever it's called, I just drag files over to it and that's it, right? Quote
Members CitizenKate Posted June 30, 2007 Members Report Posted June 30, 2007 Yes. That is usually all there is to it. Kate Quote
Contributing Member Regis Posted June 30, 2007 Contributing Member Report Posted June 30, 2007 You could backup to CD's. If you don't have CD writer, you could add in a USB port the same ase Kate was saying. Regis Quote God, Family, and Country (although liberals are attempting to destroy these in the USA)
nomi Posted June 30, 2007 Report Posted June 30, 2007 External hard drives are the best way to go. I have two of them on this computer Make sure it is a USB 2.0 drive (by default it probably will be) and buy as much hard drive space as you can afford. The prices have dropped fast on these drives, you'll be able to buy quite a bit for your money. I have two Seagate external drives, never had a single problem with either of them. Works fantastic. - Noel Quote
Moderator Johanna Posted June 30, 2007 Moderator Report Posted June 30, 2007 Getting an external hard drive to do back ups is a smart inexpensive option, especially if the thought of losing the info on your computer makes you sick to your stomach. They are easier than ever to use. XP will "find" them and you just copy files (don't move them if you still want to access them from the computer w/o the exteranl hard drive attached) and done! Hope this info helps a little. Johanna What to Back Up Windows Address Book (Outlook Express) Default location C >Doc & Settings> User> Application Data> Microsoft> Address Book> User. WAB Outlook Express Messages OE messages are saved in .dbx files, and can be backed up in that format, but not read without importing into a functional OE, where they will overwrite files names the same thing, so be careful. You can buy software like DBXpress to open them outside of OE. OE messages can also be saved individually to the folder of the user’s choice in the .eml format. Default location: C> Doc & Settings> User> Local Settings>Application Data> Identities> Long string of variable numbers> Microsoft> OE> My Favorites- IE bookmarks Default location C> Doc & Settings> User> Downloaded Programs Keep a folder somewhere for programs you download. Get into the habit of "saving" downloads, and doing your installing from this designated folder, instead of directly from the download. Back up that folder periodically to ensure easy reinstall. My Docs XP, by default, puts your albums, e-books, pictures, music and movies into the My Doc folder. You may need to set up other folders outside of "My Docs" of these same file types, don't forget to include them in your back up routine. Themes & Preferences If you use a particular skin or theme, screensavers, sounds etc, you will want to back up your settings and preferences, unless you are confident that you can restore them manually. You can even save your cookies. How to back up an XP computer Quote You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus. - Mark Twain
Members dsenette Posted June 30, 2007 Members Report Posted June 30, 2007 as a personal note bill...make sure (if possible) to get one of the drives that has external power (i.e. plugs into the wall for its' juice)...a USB port doesn't REALLY have the juice to fully power a modern hard drive....especially the front ports....it will work...but the externally powered ones are 10 times more reliable Quote "We are all blind men touching an elephant. Each with a different view. It's only when we compare our experiences that we can truly know the complete picture" ~ Buddhist proverb
Billsotx Posted June 30, 2007 Author Report Posted June 30, 2007 Thanks for all your help. Monkey is does plug into the wall and Johanna I caught that copy, not move. I got the thing this morning and I just got done with it. I think I copied all my stuff. In the morning I'll look at it again. I couldn't figure out how to schedule it, it's supposed to be programable so it will back-up on X day at X time etc., etc. but I didn't figure that out yet. There's a tutorial on their web but they charge for it ... duh! I think they got all my money they're gettin'. Gonna go pick on the ol' flattop for awhile. I need a mental enema ... lol Again, I appreciate it. Quote
Members Romey Posted July 4, 2007 Members Report Posted July 4, 2007 Johanna your a gem Quote Romey Cowboy inc highcountryknives
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