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mystsnowfire · 06-11-2009, 09:33 PM

I've decided to backup my XP computer to a 320 GB external hard drive, and I have a couple of basic questions.

1) Is it necessary/beneficial to format the drive in any way before transferring files, or does it work like a flash drive where you can just plug and go?

2) If I use the Windows Backup Wizard to complete the transfer, does the option to backup "all information on this computer" include downloaded programs and software? Does it include personal settings and cookies?

3) Finally, (this is probably a silly question) if my computer were to crash and after restoring to factory settings I plugged in the fully backed up external hard drive, what is going to show up? Is there going to be a fully functioning copy of my original computer, or will the drive list the saved files and information as if it were on a flash drive?

Thanks in advance for your help and patience!

06-11-2009, 09:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
mystsnowfire Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4 OS: XP	Backup with External Hard Drive! I've decided to backup my XP computer to a 320 GB external hard drive, and I have a couple of basic questions. 1) Is it necessary/beneficial to format the drive in any way before transferring files, or does it work like a flash drive where you can just plug and go? 2) If I use the Windows Backup Wizard to complete the transfer, does the option to backup "all information on this computer" include downloaded programs and software? Does it include personal settings and cookies? 3) Finally, (this is probably a silly question) if my computer were to crash and after restoring to factory settings I plugged in the fully backed up external hard drive, what is going to show up? Is there going to be a fully functioning copy of my original computer, or will the drive list the saved files and information as if it were on a flash drive? Thanks in advance for your help and patience!