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
Use an external hard drive, or USB Flash drive.
the best way is with an external hard drive
Save it often and back it up on 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.