here is what i got from the analysis: Analysed : "D:\" April 12 2010, 22:47.21 Processed in 1 minute 46 seconds =================================================== Number of Files : 94276 Number of Folders : 19066 Size of Files : 23.14GB Size of Files (on disk) : 23.33GB Disk space wasted : 193.25MB Null files : 105 Empty folders : 0 Average File Size : 257.34K Average Files/Folder : 4.94 Largest Folder : \Windows\ (11.43GB, 67% of files) Largest File : D:\pagefile.sys (3.93GB) User with largest share : SYSTEM (9.69GB, 20%) : Quantity Size Programs : 2608 :: 2.54GB (11%) System : 21342 :: 15.21GB (66%) Graphics : 11383 :: 279.95MB (1%) Movie : 202 :: 298.27MB (1%) Audio : 704 :: 66.73MB ( Office : 6406 :: 159.68MB ( Programming : 378 :: 4.78MB ( Compressed : 4159 :: 318.93MB (1%) Other : 47094 :: 4.29GB (19%) Custom1 : 0 :: 0 bytes Custom2 : 0 :: 0 bytes Custom3 : 0 :: 0 bytes Custom4 : 0 :: 0 bytes Custom5 : 0 :: 0 bytes Custom6 : 0 :: 0 bytes Custom7 : 0 :: 0 bytes Custom8 : 0 :: 0 bytes Custom9 : 0 :: 0 bytes Custom10 : 0 :: 0 bytes =================================================== Analysed : "C:\" April 12 2010, 22:51.31 Processed in 1 minute 37 seconds =================================================== Number of Files : 82894 Number of Folders : 15777 Size of Files : 17.37GB Size of Files (on disk) : 17.53GB Disk space wasted : 167.86MB Null files : 1768 Empty folders : 0 Average File Size : 219.67K Average Files/Folder : 5.25 Largest Folder : \Windows\ (10.87GB, 74% of files) Largest File : C:\hiberfil.sys (2.95GB) User with largest share : TrustedInstaller (9.21GB, 66%) : Quantity Size Programs : 2214 :: 797.99MB (4%) System : 17599 :: 10.46GB (60%) Graphics : 7221 :: 481.60MB (3%) Movie : 159 :: 555.87MB (3%) Audio : 669 :: 65.39MB ( Office : 9583 :: 128.44MB ( Programming : 374 :: 4.70MB ( Compressed : 78 :: 356.16MB (2%) Other : 44997 :: 4.57GB (26%) Custom1 : 0 :: 0 bytes Custom2 : 0 :: 0 bytes Custom3 : 0 :: 0 bytes Custom4 : 0 :: 0 bytes Custom5 : 0 :: 0 bytes Custom6 : 0 :: 0 bytes Custom7 : 0 :: 0 bytes Custom8 : 0 :: 0 bytes Custom9 : 0 :: 0 bytes Custom10 : 0 :: 0 bytes ===================================================

Usually most drives on PC's nowadays come partitioned into two sections. One partition is storing your whole operating system as it was when it was purchased (maybe even a few programs as well). This if for when you want to wipe your machine and it reloads itself from that partition (of course that partition is not wiped). The other partition has your "working" operating system (otherwise the operating system that your computer is using when you boot up your computer). That same "working" partition is where you would store your files, and load any programs that you are using. The area used for storage is shown in your computer info. Hope this helps.

I reformatted the My Book - which went smoothly. The copied a short video. Again - worked well. Now I'm copying a whole bunch of videos - and it's taking time. I'm copying about 10-15 hours of standard definition tv shows. So far, it's been over an hour. I have no idea how long it will take via USB2 connection. The 30 minute video took less than 5 minutes. I have follow-up questions. I wonder what the best way is to back up these files. I just opened up My Documents and right-clicked one at a time - then chose the option to "send to" and selected drive e: my book. I'm sure there's a better way to do this, but I don't know what it is. I tried to highlight more than one file at a time (using the shift key) - but it didn't seem to want to let me highlight more than one at a time. I also wonder if I send a file to MY Book - does that mean it's moved to My Book and the original isn't on my PC - or is it copied there? Raven - I know I should know this by now, but I don't. How do I find my firefox profiles and bookmarks files so I can copy them to the external drive? Lastly, is there a way to copy files to the external drive in such a way that I can get prompted if the file already exists? so I don't make a copy and have 2 copies in there? with many files (like pictures), I may get a prompt that says the file already exists - should I overwrite it or skip. Is there anything like that when copying files to the external drive? At some point, should I bite the bullet and buy a software program to do this. Western Digital tries to give trial periods for the following software : Memeo Autobackup, Memeo Autosync. Any reason to get these? Or any other software? Also, when I reformatted the drive, it wiped the drive clean. Is there anything (drivers, software?) I would need to download from Western Digital (to replace anything I might have erased). I know that the proprietary software that's sometimes loaded with these things (like cameras, printers) may not be necessary at all. Thanks. Lynn.

Dee can - Please DO NOT trigger a Format. It deletes everything on the drive (including Windows). If you reformat your PC's hard drive, it'll be useless to you and won't start again until a new operating system installation is done. It shouldn't be something you need to do. raven - I disagree with your suggestion about the advisability of having a HDD image. Use of same would seem to be well beyond the ability of most people who visit this forum. To avoid problems and inconvenience, my first suggestion is that everything important should be backed up and, correspondingly, unimportant files needn't be backed up. Many users have nothing but unimportant files. A simple emailer and web surfer likely has nothing that needs to be backed up. My second suggestion is to avoid problems by using proper tools and practices. (Many of the tools and practices I've seen recommended in various threads in this forum I don't agree with) My third suggestion - if a problem is encountered that the user doesn't know how to deal with, find a service provider or someone knowledgeable to help you. For "seasoned citizens", younger family members may be useful for this. Write down on a piece of paper (yes, a piece of paper) the programs you use and the obscure websites you like and have bookmarked. Other than important data files (photos, music, correspondence), EVERYTHING ELSE on your PC can be reinstalled, re-downloaded, and otherwise replaced. If your PC is old, struggling, or otherwise deserving of a proper burial, buy a new one. They're cheaper than ever, and old your old PC may not be worth the cost or effort to resuscitate. Good luck to all. With a first rate antivirus program, all that's left for you to do is to know where you go and know what you open. With that and absent being very unlucky, you won't have any problems.