[stevie kay]

I admit, just several years ago I stopped listening to cassette tapes. I am now on to bigger & better; like the Macbook Pro. I just bought a portable external HD (iomega 160g w/ firewire) to store hundreds of digital video and photos. I need paint-by-number instructions on how to actually use it and store data to it. I have no pride when it comes to things like this. I appreciate the help.

[Tesselator]

Well, it couldn't be simpler really.. Just put the files on it. That's it.

You might wat to make a few folders (like Photos, MP3s, etc.) or something
but that's all there is to it.

So, paint by numbers?

1. Connect drive,
2. Make folders,
3. Put Files,
4. Enjoy Files.

[ghostdawg]

Do most external hard drives come formatted in Windows format? Would it be best to format it for OS X filesystem?
I'm thinking of getting an external drive also.
Thnx.

[EndlessMac]

Originally Posted by ghostdawg 

Do most external hard drives come formatted in Windows format? Would it be best to format it for OS X filesystem?
I'm thinking of getting an external drive also.
Thnx.

I always format my hard drives to make sure that it's the format I want even when using Windows. If you are backing up important files then you should leave nothing to chance.

[anselm]

I agree with EndlessMac: Don`t take chances for valuable data.

If it`s particularly important data then you should consider using 2 harddrives for backing up twice.

On HDD1 you store daily backups (incremental).

On HDD2 you store weekly backups and keep that drive in a locker.

You can add a 3rd drive for monthly backups and let a family member or close friend keep the drive.
Then you always have at least last months backup even if your house burns down.
If you don`t want the person who keeps tat drive sniffing on it`s contents then you can buy a drive with encryption features.