How to retrieve data from backup on external hard drive?
Q. I bought a hitachi external hard drive which has all my data backed up on it. I want to retrieve my data from the external drive but my data is in hundreds of zipped files. Windows will not transfer it onto my computer for me.
Asked by Cherith - Thu Feb 18 15:54:47 2010 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. If you use the windows tool to backup, then use the same tool to restore data.
Answered by Mobby - Sat Feb 20 04:51:15 2010

Can I stream videos from an external hard drive to my tv using xbox360 and a media center pc?
Q. I just got XP media center. If i have videos on an external hard drive hooked up with usb2.0 can i browse the videos on my tv using xbox360 and play the files off the external drive?
Asked by joeblessyou3 - Tue Jan 30 08:54:57 2007 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. In my tests, usb 2.0 is not fast enought to play movies without some lag in playing. Firewire works better. That is if the movies are in their native format - non-compresses. If the videos are small, they will play fine. If they are 4 gig DVDs saved to the hard-drive, then it's my experience that USB 2.0 is not fast enough to support long read rates. Defrage your drive and hope for the best. If it doesn't play fast enough, consider switching to Firewire external enclosures.
Answered by sashafroyland - Wed Jan 31 17:15:26 2007

How do I properly import the itunes library from my external hard drive?
Q. I've gone through the steps (File, Add File to Library, opened the file from the external drive, the songs load into itunes, but when it's done and I remove the external hard drive, the songs can't be played and a message comes up telling me the song can't be located, How do I permanently have the library imported into the new computer?
Asked by Ammar - Wed Dec 15 11:00:46 2010 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. The default setting in iTunes is to copy all files added to iTunes into the iTunes media folder that is by default on the computer's hard drive. Go into your iTunes preferences, select the 'Advanced' tab and check if this setting has possibly been deactivated. Then connect the external hard drive, and in iTunes, go to Filea a >Librarya a >Organize Library and choose 'Consolidate Library'. This will let iTunes copy absent files into the media folder on your internal hard drive. (You could also just remove all files in the iTunes window, check that the copy option is active and drag the folder(s) with the music files from the external drive into the iTunes window in order to add the files.)
Answered by e E E p E e dsuE nE - Wed Dec 15 11:28:48 2010

How can I download and install Java onto my external hard drive?
Q. I have an 80GB external hard drive that works great. I have one problem though, the computer at my dad's house is very slow. I just uninstalled Java on it, and want to install it onto my external drive (F:). I got it to download the setup onto a folder in my external drive, but when i install it from there it just goes to the C: drive. How can I fix this? I'm trying it again now, but don't think its going to work.
Asked by Jake - Sat Sep 20 20:45:31 2008 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. java ties into the OS tightly usually onto c:, get and install a fresh copy of java.
Answered by jim s - Sat Sep 20 21:30:29 2008

How reliable is an external hard drive?
Q. I have a lot of files on my CPU hard drive and have backed them up on an external hard drive. But now my CPU hard drive has started to become full. I want to delete some of the files. How reliable is just the external drive?
Asked by Adam Smasher - Sat Nov 29 22:42:37 2008 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. They are as good as your pc drive,but like all electronic equipment, they, too are fallible. Popularity of brand is a good factor but go to a "consumer guide" to see about features and functions for what you want.
Answered by a Ric (everyday people) a - Sun Nov 30 09:18:02 2008

Unlocking an external hard drive for my MacBook?
Q. I recently bought a MacBook, i only used PC's before this. I used a 320 gb external hard drive to hold alot of backup data, movies, music, ect on my pc. When i plug the USB into my Mac it doesnt not allow me to modify the external drive. It says the drive cannot be modified, and all the folders have locks on them. Any ideas how to unlock the drive?
Asked by S.C.H. - Thu Jan 8 13:43:29 2009 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. It's not the folder's have locked its just that Mac and PC use a different format when it comes to hard drives so if you have your hard drive formatted to most likely NTFS 32 and your Mac won't be able to read it.
Answered by Khelben - Thu Jan 8 13:49:30 2009

External Hard Drive: Missing space and how to reset to original settings?
Q. I recently purchased a Seagate 640GB external hard drive. Today I used Easeus Todo Backup to clone my C and D drive. My C and D drive is only using 80GB of space in total at the moment, but when I check my external drive, there are two drives; drive G and F. Drive G has 103GB total space, and Drive F has 82GB. Where is the other 455GB of space in my external drive? Is there a way to reset it to the original settings?
Asked by Calcium Chloride - Mon Apr 19 11:40:32 2010 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Assuming you're using windows, Click start, (under xp, click run) type compmgmt.msc hit enter This opens Computer Management choose disk management on the left.Now you should see a list of all the hard drives. Find your hardrive, you probably have it partitioned in to three different partitions. You're looking for a partition that hasn;t been allocated a file system, around 455GB big. *NOTE* Make sure you back up your stuff just incase you do something wrong. Right click -> format -> and follow instruction, choose NTFS and format the partition. remember make sure its the right partion your formatting, otherwise you might loose data on the other partitions.
Answered by M - Mon Apr 19 16:07:13 2010

How do you transfer music from external hard drive to iTunes?
Q. I'm copying the files into the iTunes folder. If I keep the hard drive on, iTunes will play the songs without a problem. As soon as I turn the hard drive off and I try to play one of the songs, I get this warning: The song could not be used because the original file could not be found. What do I do? I don't want to have to use my external drive anymore - I have a new PC with a TON of memory. Thanks!!!
Asked by kooky - Wed Jan 14 02:04:36 2009 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Go to your preferences and change the option that say copy music to i tunes folder and as long as your folder is not on the hard drive it will copy and save whatever music u play to the folder u have listed for your i tunes music
Answered by Corwin W - Wed Jan 14 02:29:03 2009

External hard drive problems, I put a file into the external and it takes up space on the internal, Why?
Q. I bought a external hard drive and I would like to why when I put a file into my external drive it takes up space in my internal drive as well. The path that I have for the file goes straight to the external dive I dont understand why its taking up space on the internal drive. Can you please help me!
Asked by Hi-Me H - Sat Jun 21 14:51:38 2008 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. More than likely you copied the file from one to the other without deleting the one on the internal. Drag and drop does not get rid of the original.
Answered by vulcan - Sat Jun 21 14:56:54 2008

Why would an empty 700GB external hard drive not have enough room for a 5GB file?
Q. I am about to format the hard drive of my computer, so I want to back up some large downloaded files so I don't have to go through all the hassle of downloading them again. However for some reason my brand new, just out of the box 700GB external drive is convinced there isn't enough space for even one file. Why would this be?
Asked by slay247 - Sun Jul 12 18:09:25 2009 - - 5 Answers - 0 Comments

A. format it first.
Answered by Daniel R - Sun Jul 12 18:12:49 2009

What is the difference between SATA and USB hard drives and which is a better, stronger, faster external drive?
Q. I have a USB external hard drive. I was wondering if i should have gottten a SATA hard drive as a backup for my laptop.
Asked by Rocky - Tue Jan 19 00:52:54 2010 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. eSATA = 3 Gbps ( 375 MB/sec MAX ) USB 2.0 = 480 Mbps ( 60 MB/sec MAX ) If your laptop has an eSATA port, then you will see more performance from your disk using an eSATA interface, as most modern hard drives can easily exceed 60 MB/sec of bandwidth. Also, USB comes with a substantial bus overhead. It isn't uncommon to only be able to get 40-50 MB/sec out of external USB disks.
Answered by Excessive MHz - Tue Jan 19 00:57:24 2010

How can I turn my old Xbox 360 hard drive into an external storage unit?
Q. I'm looking into purchasing an external hard drive for storage purposes, but then I got to thinking... I have an old 360 hard drive laying around (which is decent in size compared to some external drives). Has anyone seen or heard of the old 360's drive being used for PC purposes?
Asked by LuCkY72045 - Sat Jan 8 01:12:15 2011 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. The only way to use the hard drive as an external hard drive is to put it in your 360 (as it can't be put in anywhere else) and buy an Xbox 360 transfer cable and connect the 360 to your computer (with the cable) and then you can put stuff inside the Xbox 360 hard drive through your computer by going on to Start>Computer>Xbox 360 Hard drive. I personally haven't tried this my self but I have bought a transfer cable for my 360 for other purposes. I'm not sure if your data when put in the hard drive via computer will remain after you plug it out and plug it back in as the hard drive is only compatible with pictures, 360 games, DLC's, music and stuff that can be accessed on your 360. (Or you could just sell it and buy an external… [cont.]
Answered by Matthew - Sat Jan 8 02:12:15 2011

How do you move desktop information to an external hard drive?
Q. My desktop is filled with icon and setup/installations. I got a 500GB external hard drive and would like to move the icons and other information to the external drive without loss of information. The last time I attempted this feat, I lost about 600+ photos for which I am still grieving as they were important to me. How can I avoid making the same mistake again?
Asked by Aoiffe337 - Tue Feb 24 11:30:06 2009 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Rt. click on the file and select copy. Rt. click on the destination and select paste. By doing that you have the files in 2 places until you delete them.
Answered by Huh? - Tue Feb 24 11:39:51 2009

How do I transfere programs off my hard drive to external drive?
Q. My computer drive is running low on space, I purchased an external hard drive but I cant seem to find out how to transfer some of my programs onto it so I can delete them off hard drive.
Asked by russell6 - Mon Aug 31 21:46:31 2009 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. either you can use the pen drive or direct transfer of hard drive to hard drive using bussess and jumper
Answered by Robin - Wed Sep 2 10:45:59 2009

How do I get my external hard drive to work with my Laptop?
Q. I have a 20GB external USB 2.0 hard drive and a new Sony Vaio laptop (that has the compatible 2.0 USB ports / hubs that also supply the power to the external drive). It says if I have Windows XP (which I do), then I don't need to install the drivers. I go and right click on My Computer, select Manage, and then go to Storage and then Disk Management (after the hard drive is connected - the light is on and the hard drive is spinning). The drive does not show up in Disk Management - how do I locate the drive to make it show up in My Computer?
Asked by Mike - Thu Aug 17 07:49:55 2006 - - 5 Answers - 1 Comments

A. Try add new hardware wizard, it seems XP cant detect it yet. Also try restarting the laptop while its plugged in and the wizard should pop up in the bottom right cor5ner by itself- otherwise you will have to install the drivers yourself.
Answered by Tommy G - Thu Aug 17 07:55:16 2006

What is the best 1TB external hard drive to purchase?
Q. I'm in video editing and HD footage takes up lots of space. I need to invest in a 1TB hard drive. I will not be editing directly off of the drive, so transfer speed isn't so much the issue. I am looking for a good price on an external drive that is incredibly reliable. USB2.0/Firewire doesn't necessarily matter!
Asked by Yates - Fri Jan 22 21:07:19 2010 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. I would go with a Buffalo or 1Tb Samsung External Storey Station. Both will do what you require. steer clear of the Seagate's.
Answered by IBMGuy - Fri Jan 22 21:13:50 2010

How can I get iTunes running from my external hard drive?
Q. I have a mac mini running Mac OS X Ver 10.4.10. I have an external hard drive attached as the volume of music and photos was using all my memory on the mac hard drive. I need to get iTunes running from my external hard drive and future updates of iTunes need to update the iTunes on my external drive. How can I do this?
Asked by Claireybelle - Sat Jan 19 07:11:22 2008 - - 2 Answers - 1 Comments

A. Do you need the iTunes application running on your external hard drive? Surely you can leave the iTunes application (less than 50MB) on your mac mini and just store all of your music on the external hard drive? In that case, copy all of your music onto the external hard drive, then go into iTunes. Select all songs (cmd + a), then delete them (it will delete them from the library, not your hard drive). Then go to Files -> Import and select the folder on your backup hard drive where the music is. iTunes will stay up to date, and you will free up loads of space by putting your music on your external hard drive
Answered by Tom S - Sat Jan 19 07:15:38 2008

How do I manage an external hard drive with my playstation 3?
Q. I have bought and formatted an external hard drive and hooked it up to my playstation 3 (40GB). I'm not quite sure how the hard drive is supposed to work with the playstation, though. If i want to put any saved data onto the hard drive, i have to copy it onto the hard drive from the playstation. This is fine, but games will not read the saved data from the external drive. And, now, i can not copy save files from newer games. Can anyone please help?
Asked by loughnessmonster - Mon May 3 21:16:34 2010 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. I'm not sure what you meant by can't copy save files from newer games... After you've backup your saved data to the external hard disk, Can't you delete that data from your 40GB hard disk and make space? If you ever need to access that data again, you can always copy it back to the 40GB hard disk. But I'd suggest you simply install a hard disk of a higher capacity into your PS3.
Answered by Lee K - Tue May 4 13:05:32 2010

How will external hard drive work with desk top computer?
Q. If I install a USB-connected 1 TerraByte External Drive, to my desk top computer, How will my computer know to use the External Hard Drive, instead of the tiny, internal memory sticks?
Asked by kittycat - Sat Oct 16 02:10:58 2010 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. You cannot put a hard drive in place of the ram, hard drives are used for long term storage, memory (ram) is used for a very short amount of time for the processor, and cannot hold data when the machine is powered off. SO yes you can put the 1TB drive on your computer, but it will only expand your storage, not replace the "tiny, internal memory sticks".
Answered by browland89 - Sat Oct 16 02:15:51 2010

How do I hook up an external hard drive usb to my old laptop computer ethernet connection?
Q. I have an old IBM notebook with only an ethernet connection available. I have a My Book external hard drive full of music that connects via USB. How do I hook up the laptop ethernet to the external drive USB? I want to play the music on the external hard drive while hooked up to the old laptop. My computer experience is limited. Thanks.
Asked by Bender - Thu Apr 10 12:59:19 2008 - - 6 Answers - 1 Comments

A. You can't. USB and Ethernet are two completely different technologies. You can use a USB port to connect to the ethernet using an adapter because USB was designed to be versatile. But you cannot do it the other way around. Your only option would be to go and buy a pcmcia usb card and install it into your laptop. But even then, it is not a guaranteed fix.
Answered by Bjorn - Thu Apr 10 13:03:41 2008