Western Digital 500G My Book Essential

[enigma1944]

I never used a external storage device so please bear with me. I just installed this device and had no problems with the downloads. It went thru the gyrations and made a backup of the C & D drives I hope!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now that it is installed and a icon is on the task bar i opened it the program and it the screen appears and indicates each catagory and the amount of space used. Am I to assume the backup was successful???????????? In addition, when I sign off the laptop the light on the device remains lit. Is this correct

Thanks

 

[CarlTR6]

I would say the backup was successful. You can look at the contents of the drive using Windows Explorer - which is what I think you are referring to. The drive will stay on (the light will be on) as long as you have the drive plugged in. I also use a WD My Book for my system images and backups. I usually disconnect mine from the USB port and unplug from the power it when I am not actually using it.

 

[enigma1944]

I would say the backup was successful. You can look at the contents of the drive using Windows Explorer - which is what I think you are referring to. The drive will stay on (the light will be on) as long as you have the drive plugged in. I also use a WD My Book for my system images and backups. I usually disconnect mine from the USB port and unplug from the power it when I am not actually using it.

OK Thanks

Is it advisable to unplug this because I just shut down the laptop and let it plugged in

 

[SledgeDG]

as long as the drive-LEDs are lit, your "My Book" is on. if you only use it for Images/backups, I would rather unplug it and store it in a safe location. Mine automatically boot up/shut down with my desktop, so I leave them be.


-DG

 

[enigma1944]

as long as the drive-LEDs are lit, your "My Book" is on. if you only use it for Images/backups, I would rather unplug it and store it in a safe location. Mine automatically boot up/shut down with my desktop, so I leave them be.


-DG

Thanks

I like your approach so that is what I will do

 

[unifex]

My approach is similar - my external drives are usually unplugged unless I am actually using them. By unplugged I mean that I turn them off - some of them have a power button - and subsequently actually unplug from the power outlet. As far as my desktop, I don't bother unplugging them from the PC, but without power they don't work (I am not using those that use USB power from the PC, in this case I would have to unplug the USB connection).

As far as the backup, I think yours went just fine. My own practice is slightly different - I never use any software that is supplied with the drive, thus no installation is necessary, I simply plug it in (I prefer eSATA for speed, but USB is fine as well) and then manually copy whatever folders I want to back up. To me this is simpler. Other people prefer the automation.

But in any case, it looks like you have a grip on your drive now.

 

[enigma1944]

My approach is similar - my external drives are usually unplugged unless I am actually using them. By unplugged I mean that I turn them off - some of them have a power button - and subsequently actually unplug from the power outlet. As far as my desktop, I don't bother unplugging them from the PC, but without power they don't work (I am not using those that use USB power from the PC, in this case I would have to unplug the USB connection).

As far as the backup, I think yours went just fine. My own practice is slightly different - I never use any software that is supplied with the drive, thus no installation is necessary, I simply plug it in (I prefer eSATA for speed, but USB is fine as well) and then manually copy whatever folders I want to back up. To me this is simpler. Other people prefer the automation.

But in any case, it looks like you have a grip on your drive now.

OK

Case closed folks