External Hard Drive Question?

Question

I just got a Western Digital 120 GB Passport external hard drive. I was just wondering if I have to use the included syncing software to be able to back up/transfer my files. Can I just delete all the software stuff and drag files into the hard drive?

Answer 1

Yes you can just delete the syncing software, and if you are maintaining archival backups that could be the right solution. However if you want to have a mirror of what you currently have then deleting the software puts all the responsibility on you for maintaining your files.

The WD syncing software does the following:
1) Checks that the directory tree being sync'd is the same as the directory tree on the external hard drive.
2) Deletes the files from the external hard drive you deleted from your hard drive.
3) Adds files to the external hard drive that you added to your hard drive.
4) Modifies files on the external hard drive that have an earlier modification date compared to the same file on the hard drive.

Thus if your intent is to have an up-to-date mirror of some directory tree on your hard drive the syncing software is doing a somewhat optimal version of what needs to be done. It is optimal, in that it is leaving alone the files that didn't change. For example, if you had 5 gb of music, some files of which you deleted and some files added. Simply creating a new folder for the 5 gb would take substantial time. Changing just the changed files is much faster.

If however, you want to un-delete a file that was archived in the past, the software might not be what you want. The WD software might also delete the file automatically.

Thus it depends upon the functionality you want. My guess, is that the software is doing what you actually want, and will do it in less time, and with less personal interaction than your solution.

Answer 2

Your exterior frustrating force could coach as an icon on your reveal screen. merely drag and drop each thing you want on that force. in case you want to sparkling area on your device's frustrating force then do not ignore to delete in spite of you progression onto the Lacie as quickly as you have checked that it has transferred effectively. in case you want to start putting stuff at as quickly as on the Lacie then merely specify it by way of fact the holiday spot whenever you save something. you have a huge quantity of capacity because it stands and that i'm uncertain why you want to go stuff onto the Lacie, till it is for motives of backup, that's clearly a sturdy thought. it is a shame you at the instant are not on a Mac, as you may then have, on Leopard, the spectacular Time device facility which will advise under no circumstances dropping something ever returned. in case you do not think of you're plenty sturdy at computers make your next one a Mac - they are less demanding, smarter, and cooler than a pc, and lots greater handy to apply. Vista is the place Mac exchange into approximately ten years in the past.

Answer 3

Yes I have one myself(bigger size thought)
I deleted all that unwanted bundled software and just use the drive for storage and it works fine.
I am using it for music recordings and such.

Answer 4

Most people do.