How to use a portable hard drive ?

[derekpara]

I want to back up my hard drive onto a portable HD and I can't remember how to do it !

Used it once when I first bought it and need to back up again but lost the instructions . It comes up as drive (J)

Cheers.

D

[ChuckFickens]

What type of backup do you want/expect...

A full system image that would allow you to restore the computer back to the exact state it's in now, or do you just want to ensure you have a copy of all your important files?

[derekpara]

A full back-up would be great but realistically your second option would be ok.

The portable hard drive I have is a WD 'My Passport' Essential SE, if that's any help.

Thanks.

D

[MarkRae]

If you want to do a full system image backup, you'll need dedicated backup software which will allow you to create boot media first. You won't be able to do a system backup of a hard disk from which your machine is currently running.

But, assuming like most people you save everything in your Documents folder, you can simply close all applications, plug the HD in, and copy and paste...

[derekpara]

I understand, Mark.

Thanks to you both.

D