Q about external hard drive

I see a lot of reviews on the backup capabilities or lack of from external hard drives.

I don't want to use it for backup.

I want to use it for storage.

Do they backup your computer automatically? Is there a way to bypass this function or is it automatic?

I don't have one yet. Still "deciding" which one to get.

Re: Q about external hard drive

no they don't

I do it manually.

clicking and dragging what I want stored.

Message edited 8/4/2008 12:08:35 PM.

Re: Q about external hard drive

btw, i have this one and i love it... it's portable..

they go on sale at best buy frequently... I think I paid 89.99 for mine

Re: Q about external hard drive

I have a Western Digital 500GB external hard drive I use to store my photos and videos. It comes with software you can install that will do automatic back-ups, but it's only a trial and you need to eventually pay for the full version. I just copy my pics and vids to the external hard drive like once a week and that's it. I just didn't install the software that came with it.

ETA: Costco in Westbury had both the 500BG "book" hard drive (the one I have) and the smaller passport one (posted in the link above).

Message edited 8/4/2008 12:23:59 PM.

Re: Q about external hard drive

Any backup functionality is done with software. Even if you have a free utility, you still have to turn it on in order for it to backup your data