Windows 7: Backup to External drive

I have an external drive with lots of data. If I use it to back up from Windows 7 64 bit, do I lose the fata already on the drive?

Thank you

qim

Welcome to SevenForums.

Which program do you use for backing up? Keep your data in a seperate partition and backups in a seperate partition on your external drive.

( I use Paragon Hard Disk Manager Suite 11 to back up to an external drive partition exclusively earmarked for Backups. That way I can monitor and ensure that there is always sufficient space for backups.

I also keep a copy of the most recent backup on a seperate partition (not on the System Partition C drive) in the internal drive and run the WinPE Rescue CD from my bootable pendrive to restore should there be a need, without connecting the external drive.)

Well. I was going to use the program that came with the Samsung laptop which I assume is part of Windows 7. My external hard drive is NOT partitioned. Does that mnean that if I backup to it I lose the data already there?

Thanks

qim

If you use the native windows backup program your data will not be deleted. Make sure there is enough free space to accommodate your backup though. - Backup User and System Files

It may be worth creating a separate partition on your external though purely for backups -
Partition or Volume - Shrink
Partition or Volume - Create New

Danny

No, it will not erase your data. But it is always better that you create a seperate partition on your external drive for backups.

But before you create partitions on your external drive, back up any data on it to another hard disk and copy them back after creating the partitions.

Thanks Danny

Is it possible to create a new partition in my external drive WITHOUT deleting the existing data?

Thanks

qim

Use the first link I posted to shrink the existing partition down then you will be able to create a second partition out of the free space (if there is enough available).

If you like post a screenshot or your disk management screen showing how the drive is set up at present and we can take a look at it for you. - How to Use the Snipping Tool in Vista - Vista Forums
A Preferred Method of Uploading/Posting Screen Shots

Danny

Hope this shows up properly..

qim

Ok qim

There is 83% free space on that drive so use this - Partition or Volume - Shrink to shrink the single partition down then this - Partition or Volume - Create New to create yourself a new partition for your backups.

Danny

Thanks Danny

Before I go ahead, is it really becessary to shrink the existing data in the external drive, as I have so much free space? I am worried about losing any of the data.

qim