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    Need help using external hardrive

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by crs1, Feb 22, 2012.

  1. crs1

    crs1 Notebook Geek

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    This is my first external portable unit. In the past i've just copied files I wanted to back up onto a disc or flash drive just in case. Recovery disc were created onto DVD 'R' discs.
    I now have a WD 'My Passport Essential SE' 750 GB which I want to use for my HP dv6t laptop, windows7, 64 Bit, and probably my older desktop running XP. I'm trying to figure out the best way to proceed.

    My questions:

    1. Do either windows operating systems ( win7 & XP) bkup utility save program files or would they have to be re-installed from disc/downloaded?
    If using the bkup utilites, do I need to create a partition for each since I'm backing up 2 diff computers with 2 diff operating systems?

    2. Should I use the WD Smartware software that come on this drive instead and install it on both computers and proceed from there?

    3. Should I use Acronis and forget all of the above? If I understand correctly, Acronis will put everything back as it was, programs, applications files etc.
    This is how I'm leaning.

    Most of my bkups would involve the laptop as the HP desktop will slowly be phased out. There are a few programs on the desktop i eventually want moved over to my laptop.

    Give me your perspective on how I should proceed. Thanks!!
     
    crs1, Feb 22, 2012
    #1