I have one of these that I use to backup my desktop computer running Windows Vista (64 bit). I found the drive and the software very easy to setup and use. My vote is to go with what Toshiba has provided you, rather than "improve" it by fooling around with reformatting. Try it as it comes out of the box. If you don't like the result, you could always change it later.

I definitely would format to NTFS since you will likely have some large files at some point in time, I always use NTFS over FAT32 these days.

the windows 7 back up is an imaging type of back up which is the best kind, not knowing what type is with your drive it makes it difficult to know what to recommend. Let us know what backup type it is, knowing the model of your drive may help.

some of the reasons for NTFS over FAT32
"Why FAT32 over NTFS? Because a FAT32 partition performs more slowly than NTFS. And an NTFS partition is more efficient because of larger cluster sizes. An NTFS file system can hold more data that a FAT 32 file system."
Largest file size for FAT32 = 4Gig
All newer windows OS use NTFS
FAT32 or NTFS: Making the Choice

some usb backup drives do come as NTFS, I have a seagate freeagent pro which came with NTFS so required no formatting.

I'd hold off a bit before writing to the disk, and see what advantages there are to the NTFS, It seems to me windows 7 will perform better with NTFS (New Technology File System) I know windows7 will work with Fat32. But I'd like to see what the difference is or if it matters. I don't have the answers just yet. I will post back. I'd like to run it across a peer of mine.

I know one thing once you start writing or saving data to the disk then it would get complicated to reformat back to NTFS. without loosing data,should we find it's the better more efficient way to do it.

zep-
When I suggested the OP start using the drive as-is and reformat if not happy, I was aware that you couldn't do the re-format and not risk losing the files already on the backup drive. But the backup process was quite fast with this drive, so I don't think it would be a big deal to just re-do the whole backup.

You know more then me I'm weak in this area. I'm sure you are correct because you have done it. I would have avoided the topic but it was grandms so I wanted to go the extra mile and see what other information I could find.

I bet there is no noticeable issue running it out of the box just like you said.....

The model number is HDDR500E04X and the backup software on it is NTI Backup Now EZ. This is a brand new model, but when I went online, I found that there is an update to the software.
"Note: This update is mandatory for all users that have not yet installed Backup Now EZ on their computers. It includes all the latest feature enhancements and is Windows 7 compatible." There is another "patch" which is for current users. It includes minor feature enhancements and ensures Windows 7 compatibility. This update is recommended for all users that have already installed Backup Now EZ on their computer.
I thought that I read somewhere that the software makes an image of the system, but I cannot find that now, so I am really not sure about that.
This is for a new laptop that I have very little on as yet, and I wanted to have a backup of the OS early on so that I would not have to resort to using the rescue disks in the event of a calamity. Once I get this set up, I'll be using this computer more and more and probably adding more programs.

Ah, Zep, you warm the cockles of my heart! Is that the right expression?

I'm in no hurry to do anything right away, so I'll just wait before deciding which way to go.

zep-
I think your points are all well taken, and I doubt I know more than you on this issue. It just stimulated me to make a clarification that I should have made earlier....

If you decide to reformat to NTFS be sure to copy the software from the external drive to the computer to be copied back after the format.

Also you might consider copying your Documents folder to the external as well as doing and image backup whichever software you use. Then you are able to retrieve any files you may want over time.

You could consider creating an image with Win7 and with the software provided on the external drive and see how you feel about the process for both programs.

Hi,

Just to add additional information. I got it from my friend, so none of it is mine in his words.

"Personally, I'd stick to the Win7 option, mainly because it's fully integrated, rather than an add-on. That said, the Toshiba software may offer more options, but without knowing what they are, it's hard to compare the two.

You also have the option of ghosting your hard drive, which offers far more recovery options in the event of a system failure, but that isn't free. Check out Acronis True Image, Norton Save and Restore2 and Norton Ghost. A free version of Backup & Recovery by Paragon is available here http://www.paragon-software.com/home/db-express/comparison.html which is slightly cut down, but works very well for most people. You can also create a boot disk for automated recovery of your system.

Virtually all external drives are formatted using FAT32 because they can then be used with any computer/OS version. NTFS formatting is much more efficient and is more resilient to such things as plugging/unplugging of the USB connection, which can render FAT32 formatted drives inaccessible. If you are only going to use the drive with your own XP/Vista/Win7 machines, reformat as NTFS.

If you've already started saving to the drive, it isn't a problem to do the changes. explains how. http://www.ntfs.com/quest3.htm
This is a one way conversion, so no going back to FAT32.

There are now several pretty decent imaging programs available for free so you could try out some of those.
I used NTI Backup years ago and never liked it, it created a lot of cd coasters for me with unusable backups, I have not used it in a long time so it could be much better now but definitely check out some of the backups to make sure they are usable.
The advantages to NTFS become more understandable with todays large file size and large hard drive sizes, FAT32 has some serious limitations in those departments and it would be a real drag to try to do a backup only to find it failed because you had a file larger than the accepted size. The most complaints I read on one of the reviews for a usb hard drive were about exactly that, they were trying to do backups and had some files larger than 4 gig and it would render the backup useless and corrupted. Back in the day we would not have thought we would have any files that size or have hard drives that are 500Gig and better so FAT32 was just fine.

here are a few of the free imaging programs
Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - for personal use
8 free software to image/backup/ghost your computer (free alternatives to Acronis True Image, Norton Ghost, etc.).

Note of warning the link with the command prompt code that zep gave is worded as to convert your main c drive on your pc you want to make sure you do not use C as the drive letter since you are doing this to your external drive you want to use the letter of that drive.(would hate someone to accidentally do something to their C drive LOL but of course the C drive should already be NTFS anyway)

I was just over on amazon reading the reviews area for that drive and it sounds like the NTI backup software does not do imaging just the file backup type of backup. I like reading real reviews by people that own them, many times I can find out about something I need to be alert about or watch out for or if there are new updates for it etc. and of course how well it is liked.

I have an Iomega external hard drive, I don't know if there is a operating difference between the two, on mine it is very easy. I open both windows, set them up side by side and copy and paste.

I still haven't done anything with the drive as yet. I also have Acronis True Image, version 9. I have used it with an Iomega external drive that I have with my desktop computer. But there are things about it that I find confusing. That's why I was wondering about just using the Windows 7 backup since I thought I understood that it was an imaging type of backup. So what is the difference between "ghosting", and "imaging"? Do both do "clones" of the OS? I want to keep things as simple as possible.

Owbist, if I do not intend to use the software that is on the drive, I do not need to copy it to the computer HDD do I?

Yes, I do understand using a different drive letter for the external drive. With my desktop, that happened automatically. Don't know whether the Acronis software did that or the Iomega drive itself. I have three USB ports, so I think those have drive letters also.

I just don't want to have to be re-doing something that should be fairly simple (I hope).

Grandms my feeling on anything given free that is normally not free is to hang on to it just in case one needs it down the road. Even if you save it for another family member (assuming it is not tied to the external drive with coding of course)

I too have Acronis (versions 7 and 10) but so far I have only used the backup feature in Windows 7 on this computer. Unless I find evidence to suggest I should use something else I will no doubt stay with that choice. To each his/her own of course.

Here is what I have done so far. I downloaded the NTI Backup Now EZ to my C drive, then formatted the external drive. Found out it WAS NTFS already, although somewhere I had read differently. I have been doing a lot of reading, and I have decided the go with the Windows 7 backup. The setup looks easy and everything seems really straightforward. I'll do the first backup tomorrow, and if subsequent backups go well, I'll probably just uninstall the other program, but for the time being it's there and I have Acronis also should I decide later to change. Thanks to everyone who responded.

Once you have done the initial back up with Win 7 you will be prompted to do updates as time passes. I forget what the time frame is but be aware the nag screen will appear. I found it quite simple to do but have failed to let it add updates just yet.

Owbist, I did set it to update on the first day of each month. That way I can remember to connect the external drive in plenty of time for that to take place.

Scottie kept barking and notifying me that the other program wanted to run at startup, so I disabled it in the startup. If that doesn't "take", I'll probably just uninstall it.

BTW, I also made a rescue disk. I suppose this is for booting in an emergency?

I have a slightly different goal but a related question or 2. I use my drive to carry my work to several different computers at home and work. I am not doing a full backup of any of the computers but do backup the drive to the local computers on a frequent basis. I consider the drive as the Master for all of my executables and data. On any particular day I may be working on an XP, Vista or Windows 7 machine. Currently I use Allway Sync software (which I love) to sync the files. I find the extra files that came on the drive to be distracting. I tried to delete them and when that failed I tried to move them into a Save directory but that failed also with some of the files. Do I have to format the drive to get rid of the files? If I do reformat the drive will I still be able to just go to it as a drive letter the way I do now?

on many drives you can not remove some of those files that come on the drive, so be careful trying to do so.

Today my laptop was set up to the original software (reformated to purchase date) I had all my files and photos and videos stored on my Toshiba external hard drive. When I plugged the Toshiba into the laptop, it is not transfering any information. Almost 30,000 pictures on this external hard drive! Any suggestion?

you really should start your own new thread on this since this is a very old post. it can get very confusing when we see all those old responses.