Windows 7: Format Backup Drive And Start Over?

I have a Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex USB drive as my location to backup my Win 7 64 bit system. Purchased 3 months ago, and not knowing any better, I allowed it to setup and install the Windows and Mac software. I did the initial backup using the included Memeo software. I received a message this morning that my drive was getting full. I selected to delete previous backups but the only option given was entire the range from when I installed it to the last one on Dec 17.

Here's my question. Can I format the drive (NTSF) and start over? I am fine with using Win 7 to do the backup. I am thinking to just format the drive, go into Backup & Restore and start as if it had never been done. I have no critical information to lose, so having a backup starting today is ok. I don't plan on ever using the backup software that was included with the drive. I did make the necessary system image & repair disks when I bought the computer. So if Armageddon occurred while I was doing this, I still have a backup plan!



The long and short of my question is - can I format my backup drive using the NTSF format and start fresh or is there necessary software on the external drive I need for the Win 7 backup?

Thanks!

Sounds like a plan. Go for it.

As long as you have the backup software ready to reinstall that is.

Thanks for responding.

I am assuming the necessary software is already part of Win 7 and I will just go thru the automated process of backing up. Is this correct?

Yes just use the native windows 7 backup and restore program.

Danny

Thanks for your help!

I want to install a larger disk in my portable.

Can I make a system restore & bootable CD. Install the new drive, then using a USB SATA with the old drive in it, do a System Restore using the bootable CD. Will it restore all the data on the old drive?

I have all the original software.

Thanx
Tullynally

No.

System Restore isn't used to transfer systems to a new drive. It's used to replace the registry on an existing drive.

You need to use an imaging application of some type--either Macrium, Acronis, EaseUS, or the one built into Windows.

The image will contain everything on the partition or partitions that are imaged--including personal data if any exists on those partitions.

Images are usually stored on a second drive of some type--usually external, rather than on DVDs. And then "restored" from that second drive to the new drive.