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Thanks so much for your help - you helped me know what I need to determine. &nbsp;Thanks a lot!<br />
<br />
~A.
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Thanks so much for your help - you helped me know what I need to determine.  Thanks a lot!

~A.

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I'm going to be away from home for several months and I'm trying to figure out the best way to transfer both my applications and data files, both of which I have LOTS of.<br />
<br />
Someone recommended a 160 gig external western digital firewire dual option 160 gig hard drive, instead of a &quot;memory key&quot;. &nbsp;I have a few questions:<br />
<br />
- Is the physical size of the external hard drive something that I could travel with? &nbsp;(i.e., can I take it with me on a plane to hook up to the new computer?) &nbsp;<br />
<br />
- Can I save both programs and applications on it?<br />
<br />
- Is there a way to configure the external drive to automatically back up files?<br />
<br />
- If I can travel with it and hook it into the new computer, can I access files directly from the external hard drive, or will I have to transfer everything over to the main computer's hard drive (c:) in order to use the files and applications.<br />
<br />
- Would you recommend this option, rather than a memory key or just saving to tons and tons of CDs?<br />
<br />
Thanks for your advice,<br />
Artella<br />
<br />

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I'm going to be away from home for several months and I'm trying to figure out the best way to transfer both my applications and data files, both of which I have LOTS of.

Someone recommended a 160 gig external western digital firewire dual option 160 gig hard drive, instead of a "memory key".  I have a few questions:

- Is the physical size of the external hard drive something that I could travel with?  (i.e., can I take it with me on a plane to hook up to the new computer?)  

- Can I save both programs and applications on it?

- Is there a way to configure the external drive to automatically back up files?

- If I can travel with it and hook it into the new computer, can I access files directly from the external hard drive, or will I have to transfer everything over to the main computer's hard drive (c:) in order to use the files and applications.

- Would you recommend this option, rather than a memory key or just saving to tons and tons of CDs?

Thanks for your advice,
Artella



Questions about External hard drives

A desktop computer is a personal computer designed for use at a single location due to its size and power requirements, usually by one person. The most common configuration has a case that houses the power supply, motherboard, disk storage (usually one or more hard disk drives and optical disc drives); a keyboard and mouse for input; and computer monitor and printer for output. The case may be oriented horizontally and placed atop a desk or vertically and placed underneath or beside a desk.