External Hard Drive set up - help please

alison74

I bought this external hard drive after my computer crashed the other week and after advice from on here

http://www.amazon.co.uk/o/ASIN/B000EXZAOY/ref=s9_asin_image_1/202-1256748-1239036

I have plugged it in etc and can find it on my computer, but it's not 'installed' as such.

I went onto the Western website at http://support.wdc.com and tried to download the WD Backup software that is pictured in the manual so it would automatically back up etc

It says that you can only download the 91mb product if you bought it from Dixons !! and prompted me to enter the serial number.

Am I missing something out here ? There was no CD with the product, my computer has recognised it as the F:

Sooooooooooooo, how do I back up files without the software ? I have Nero but nothing else.

Anyone know where I can get the software from ?

I am so confused, but I am trying

Thanks in advance

Chippy_Minton

The Essential edition doesn't include the WD Backup software; Premium does.

You can use Nero BackItUp - run the Backup Wizard and select the F: drive as the target drive.

alison74

Would the offical programme be any better than Nero ? Or is all much of a muchness ?

Mr_Meanie

I use SyncBack Freeware, it seems to work well for me but i'm sure there are other free ones about.

http://www.2brightsparks.com/downloads-int.html

Chippy_Minton

The functionality looks similar to Nero: http://www.wdmybook.com/en/software/premium.asp

Now that you have a massive external drive with plenty of space I'd be inclined to buy disk imaging software such as Norton Ghost and Acronis True Image.

alison74

Chippy

I keep on hearing about these 2 products but don't want to get confused. What do they actually DO ?

And what are their advantages ?

Thanks as ever

alison74

And looking at Nero.............. it only gives me the option to back up to CD or DVD, not my spanking new My Book

This computer lark is HARD but I need it to specialise in travel !!

Chippy_Minton

Instead of backing up individual files they create an 'image' of an entire drive or partition. If your hard disk crashes you would normally have to reinstall Windows and then any programs and then restore your documents. With these 2 products you restore the image and everything on that partition is restored. That's why it's a good idea to have Windows on a separate partition to your documents.

Chippy_Minton

alison74 wrote:

And looking at Nero.............. it only gives me the option to back up to CD or DVD, not my spanking new My Book

Are you using Nero BackItUp?

alison74

Chippy_Minton wrote:

Are you using Nero BackItUp?

Yes, should I be using something else ??????

alison74

Chippy_Minton wrote:

Instead of backing up individual files they create an 'image' of an entire drive or partition. If your hard disk crashes you would normally have to reinstall Windows and then any programs and then restore your documents. With these 2 products you restore the image and everything on that partition is restored. That's why it's a good idea to have Windows on a separate partition to your documents.

I have my music on a separate part of the computer (an 80gb partition drive) and windows on the C:

I had a DVD copy of my C: programmes which is about 4gb

Waiting for this external one arrive, I copied over the C: to the in case it crashed as I figured that anyone fixing it could take me C: copy off the to restore it.

My head hurts