How to use an External Drive?

Sir_Peter

I am not sure that I am using my Freecom External Hard Drive correctly? I originally wanted to have this drive as back of the stuff that I have on my main computer, and to also store things that I would like to keep but only look at every now and then, like old holiday snaps.

Couple of Questions on the use of an external drive.

When should I turn it on, before I turn the main computer on or after?

How can I ensure things like my music and photo’s are stored/backed up on the external and that I am up to date with this?

Also when I turn the drive on a box comes up about coping these files to Picasa 2 and also Piccolo, should I have these boxes pop up to should I stop this and if I should how?

Thanks in Advance.

jackbremer

1. turn it on after the computer - it doesn't matter hugely but when mine has been playing up, it has sometimes stopped the computer from booting.
2. Use a synchronising backup tool - like Microsoft's FREE SyncToy - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/prophoto/synctoy.mspx
3. Do you actually USE Picasa? What on earth is Piccolo? I guess if Picasa is trying to grab your backups then you don't want that - you'd end up with everything duplicated in your Picasa database...