Wiki User
Answered 2006-09-09 16:49:33
Part depends on the TYPE of backup. A "standard" file backup will use far less space, as it only backs up the actual data on the drive. to find out how much data is on your drive, open up "My Computer" and right click on the drive you wish to backup. The information box that appears will show the drive capacity, and the free space. Subtract the free space from the drive capacity to estimate the data size. Another type of backup is called a "drive image". This type will make an exact duplicate of you hard drive onto another drive. for this type of backup, you must have a 80 gig (or larger) backup drive. Steve
Your Answer
Still have questions?
Related Questions
How would a person back up their computer to an external hard drive?
To back up their computer to an external hard drive, a person must first purchase the external drive. Upon plugging the drive into their computer, the person will be prompted and asked if they want to back their data up, which they should say yes to.
How do you back up a computer that does not have a CD burner?
Use an external hard drive, or USB Flash drive.
How do you back up your computer which runs Windows XP using an external hard drive?
Connect your external hard drive to your computer. Run the Back up wizard from Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Backup Run the wizard. Choose what you wish to backup. Specify the backup location as your external hard drive. Finish the wizard. Your external backup is ready!!!
How do you back up a disk on a single user computer?
the best way is with an external hard drive
How do you avoid losing work on a computer?
Save it often and back it up on an external hard-drive.
Why might one want to purchase an external hard drive?
The internal Hard Drive in a computer has an average life span of 10 years. If a computer is nearing this age it is a good idea to have an external hard drive to back up your files in case of a crash.
Once you backup files to an external hard drive can you delete them from the computer hard drive to create space?
It depends on the type of file you are talking about.If you back up your documents (Word, Excel) or photographs then you can certainly delete them from your computer hard drive once they're on the external hard drive. If you need them again you can simply plug the external hard drive to the computer in order to access them.If you're talking about program files than you have to consider whether or not the external hard drive will always be plugged into your computer. If you move a program file and then unplug the external hard drive then you should not delete the files unless you plan on plugging the external hard drive in (or leaving it attached) every time you want to use that program. If you don't mind accessing a program from the external hard drive every time you need to use it than you can certainly delete it from your computer hard drive. Otherwise, make a copy to the external hard drive as a backup in case you have computer problems and leave the original version you want to run regularly on your computer.
How can you transfer your programs from your computer to a new computer?
If you're going to transfer a lot, back it up on an external hard drive Note: Only the data can be stored on the external drive. Programs themselves need to be reinstalled using their original installation media.
How much does back up software cost?
Backup software is not recommended since if your hard drive fails, your backup fails. It is best to get an external hard drive or to back up your computer in the cloud.
Do External hard drives often use back up data that is contained on the internal hard drive?
External hard drives can use data from an internal hard drive as often as you'd like. To do this, you must have backup software installed on each drive that will allow you to back up the drive when necessary, even if you are not in front of your computer.
How do you backup my Hard Drive without using external drive?
I'm afraid that's not possible without an external drive sorry :(. Here are insructions on how to do it with an exteranl drive. P.S. you will need an external drive and and empty DVD disc. Go to My Computer, right-click on the C Drive, select back up. Place a DVD in the external drive, make sure you have at least two, in case one is not enough. You will see the DVD backing up. And then a cop of our hard drive will be on that disc.
What is an external hardrive?
A portable or external hard drive is a type of hard disk drive which is connected to a computer by a USB cable or other means. It allows the user to back up or store important information separate from the main internal hard drive. It is portable and operates on a plug-and-play basis. Any computer with USB or Firewire capability will recognize the external hard drive as a storage device, and assign it a letter to designate it. The drive can then be accessed like a normal internal hard drive.
Can you increase the storage capacity of DVR?
If your DVR has an eSATA or Firewire port on the back, it is sometimes possible to attach a regular external hard drive for computers to it to expand the storage space. After formatting the external hard drive for the DVR, your DVR is most likely to restart recording TV shows into either its internal hard drive or external that you attached depending on which has more available storage space. Consult with your DVR's owner's manual. Note that you will not be able to take out the recordings from the external hard drive using a computer as the external hard drive has to be formatted FOR the DVR in such a way that the computer cannot see / access it.
How do you protect computer information?
You can put all your information on a flash drive or an secure server as Sky Drive. You can also put it on an external drive then scan for viruses and remove the drive. When you want to see the information, just plug it back.
If your external hard drive was G then it changed to H how can youchange it back to G?
If you are using Win2000 or XP you can use the Computer Management Tool (Start>Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Computer Management) and select Disk Management. The drive name can then be changed by right clicking on the drive you want to change and selecting "change drive letter..." This procedure only works in the OS is not booted from the external drive.
How do you back up my hard drive?
You get another memory storage device, such as an external hard drive, and you copy everything on your hard drive onto the external hard drive, and keep it safe. That way, if your hard drive crashes, then you can take it out, and plug your external hard drive in, and work from that.
Is an external hard drive a good investment?
External Hard drives Can be a good investment. There are site you can save you re data to on-line ad for free. But when it comes to having a way to transport and having a physical back up of the files and programs on the computer, it is worth while to purchase an external hard drive. This also allows on certain hard drives to be able to access the hard drive at remote computers and using you're own information by booting the computer on you're hard drive.
What 3 disk drives could be used to make a back up copy?
DVD-RW, External Hard-drive, External Floppy-drive
Can Having an external hard drive make your computer work better?
Answer External Hard Drives are usually used to back up files in case of a crash you have all of your files on an external Hard Drive. As far as making your computer work better, sorry, it doesn't work that way. If you want to improve the performance of your computer try changing the CPU chip or adding more Ram. If you don't know how to do these things, perhaps a visit to a computer store would be your best bet.
You installed windows xp on your old computer you were using a external 250gb usb back up drive you have just mounted the drive in the computer as a primary drive but the drive is reading only 137gbs?
You have encountered the LBA28 barrier. Most computers manufactured before 2002 had a limit of 128 GiB, or approximately 137.4 GB.
How do you back up files on PC?
With an external hard drive =D
How do you connect an external hard drive to your computer?
it is simple just connect it to the usb port in your cpu cabinet if usb port are not found in front of cpu try in back side of cpu. also if u are using a charging external hard drive then you have to connect it to a charging plug also.
WHAT IS A Back up in computer terms?
A back up would be making a few copies of the same documents on to a CD, memory stick and external hard drive. This is done so that if your computer breaks down or anything you have other copies to goo back on. These are especially useful if you need to restore your computer or have bought a new one.
What is the meaning of back up your file?
Back up your file means to save your file in another place like a CD, flash drive, external hard drive, or online storage facility. This is done to protect files in case of computer hardware failures.
Is it possible to download saved programs from a DVR dish Hopper to a computer?
It is not possible. Based on how the receiver is setup, it can't be connected to a computer. If you need storage space, you can use an external hard drive to backup and store recordings. Keep in mind with this option, if you connect the ehd back to the computer, it will format the drive to make it compatible with the computer.
