Hi. I'm somewhat novice-level with computers and am hoping someone can please help with some questions I have regarding media storage.

I have a 4 yr. old Gateway computer, Windows XP, with an 80 GB hard drive. I also have an external 160 GB Seagate hard drive that I use for backups.

My 80 GB hard drive is only about half full, but I'm starting to take and store more digital photos so I anticipate storage filling up fairly soon. I'm exploring storage options (and also just trying to learn more about storage). One option I'm considering is buying another external hard drive to use exclusively for storage of digital media (photos and maybe music files), and backing this up onto the other external drive. This option seems appealing to me because it seems easier than replacing the internal hard drive (kind of feel intimidated to try to do this).

So, my questions:

1. Is this a good idea, or do forum members think installing a new internal hard drive is better?

2. Would my external idea work? I just bought ACDSee Pro 2 Photo Manager software and will be using it to manage my photos. Previously, I was using Picassa, and will still have it on my system. Is it possible to (1) move all my current pictures from the 80 GB drive to the new external and (2) have future pictures stored on the external only, even though the program itself is on the internal?

3. How would I do this?

Thank you in advance. As I write this, I'm realizing I really lack an understanding of how computer systems operate. Thanks for patience and any help/teaching folks can give me.

Peace, Christopher

Hi Christopher,

Welcome to the forum.

In my opinion the easiest way to backup your data is to purchase a Seagate Barracuda External Hard Drive of at least 200 GB, (your current Seagate HD would be adequate as you alteady have it) buy either Ghost image Software or Acronis image software which may or maynot be more than you want to pay. In the long run it is safe, sure and cheap to have the confidence of knowing that all your data where it should be.

Here are the forums for both Ghost and Acronis if you feel you need help if and when you decide to go either way with data image backup.

I can recommend both as I use Ghost on my PC and Acronis on my Laptop. In both cases I have had need to use the image backups and have been up and running in 36 minutes. Regarding setting the incremental backups with either software, that is your decision if you do purchase. My settings are a full backup once a week and incremental if more than 500MB are installed.

Keep us posted how you are progressing and what your decision may likely be.

kind regards,

i think internal is more stable. we see far more problems with external usb drives than internal ide or sata drives and internal isn't at all hard.

Tallin, hi. Thanks for your response. My Seagate external hard drive came with backup software called BounceBack. Doesn't this do the same thing as Acronis or Ghost? I backup my data with this.

I guess I'm still wondering if it is possible to move all data files from their current location on my internal hard drive to an external hard drive. Is this a long, complicated process, or is there an easy way to do it?

Also, if I decide to get an internal hard drive, how do you transfer all the software and data on the current hard drive to the new one?

I'm sorry if my questions reflect a novice knowledge. I find it very confusing and am really trying to learn.

Thanks.

Peace, Christopher

Surfer, thanks for your reply also. I need to see if I can install two separate hard drives on my computer. It was a pretty low-end Gateway, and I seem to recall that I could only install one hard drive. I would imagine that would make installation more difficult? I'm confused about how you transfer all the programs and data from one hard drive to another after the install.

Peace, Christopher

Hi Christopher,

I do not have experience with BounceBack, but had a quick look on google. If it is image software, you already have your image backups on your external Hard Drive....right?

This is what I would do in your situation.....

We need to simplify this for you, so I suggest you buy a new internal 250GB Hard Drive (they are as cheap as chips these days) then image your last BounceBack backup onto the new internal and your problems of shortage of space will be solved. Hope I am reading you correctly here.

Once the image onto the new HD is proven, then format your current internal 80GB Hard Drive and keep it as a spare.

Every now and again I Ghost/Acronis image from my external to a new internal which is a clone and am up and running in a very short time. I have myself believe that this way lessens disk failure somewhat, but who knows?

Your questions are fine, never think they are novice, we are all learning, so ask away. Others will join in to give their help I am sure.

Keep us posted.

kind regards,