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Computer Help and Support

Iggo

(48,706 posts) Fri Apr 10, 2020, 07:39 PM Apr 2020

My home desktop Windows 7 PC is telling me the disk is about to fail and I need to do a backup. [View all]

I have never done that, or anything like that. (yeah, yeah, I know...)

What actual hardware do I need to get in order to accomplish this? (external drive? cords? other stuff?)

I see a lot of stuff all over the net on HOW to do a backup and WHICH files and data to backup, but not a lot on the actual hardware.

Can I get a little help, por favor?

POSSIBLY PERTINENT INFO: I'm ready for a new desktop anyway, and I was already shopping around. If I get, for example, a Windows 10 machine, will I have problems restoring my files that I backed up from my Windows 7 machine?

I really really appreciate any assistance I can get.

Thank you!!!!

18 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

My home desktop Windows 7 PC is telling me the disk is about to fail and I need to do a backup. [View all] Iggo Apr 2020 OP

Best bet: Buy an external hard drive. Drunken Irishman Apr 2020 #1

Probably the best bet, particularly if dealing with files that require some level of security. TexasTowelie Apr 2020 #5

Yes. Though, I'm a tin foil wearer when it comes to the cloud lol Drunken Irishman Apr 2020 #6

I don't blame you. TexasTowelie Apr 2020 #9

suggest several things... msongs Apr 2020 #2

That's what I'm going to do. Thanks for your suggestions! Iggo Apr 2020 #13

Best bet: Buy an external hard drive. LunaSea Apr 2020 #3

I'm shopping online right now for curbside pickup at the Best Buy up the road. Iggo Apr 2020 #14

Make sure your external drive is large enough Alex4Martinez Apr 2020 #4

There's a 2 TB on sale right now, I'm picking it up tomorrow. AND the cable...lol. Iggo Apr 2020 #15

Perfect! Alex4Martinez Apr 2020 #16

I'd probably do a cloud backup right now, then get some kind of external drive. Hoyt Apr 2020 #7

I put a bunch of stuff on some on the space I had left on a couple of sticks. Iggo Apr 2020 #17

Depending on how much dada you have SheltieLover Apr 2020 #8

I do that every few months with my photos. Iggo Apr 2020 #10

Good SheltieLover Apr 2020 #11

That's pretty much what I'm looking at. Iggo Apr 2020 #12

you can transfer your current pc WhiteTara Apr 2020 #18