The Digital Surgery (computer questions/problems here)

[404cameljockey]

Every external Windows hard drive you buy should be capable of being reformatted, unless it contains proprietory software such as for automatic saving of data, data safe, etc. You can still reformat it but you lose the additional functions. Anything else is highly suspicious and possibly is said to prevent discovery of misdescription of the drive's capacity as said before here.

[Big Boy]

I've just checked, the Seagate was from China, although identical in every way to my existing drive (the reason I chose it) apart from the fact the existing drive works.

The Western Digital, not wanting the Chinese failure again was from the Western Digital Official site.

[Big Boy]

Every external Windows hard drive you buy should be capable of being reformatted, unless it contains proprietory software such as for automatic saving of data, data safe, etc. You can still reformat it but you lose the additional functions. Anything else is highly suspicious and possibly is said to prevent discovery of misdescription of the drive's capacity as said before here.

This seemed to be standard wording on most Portable Hard Drive descriptions:

During format process, our hard disk will choose exFAT automatically as default efficient format. Please DO NOT select NTFS manually, this format is not supported by our hard disk, will cause disk crash.

[404cameljockey]

Yes and anyone who feels they are competent to reformat hard drives should know about the different file systems. Windows is not idiot-proof, it's why I prefer it to Mac; the ability to configure PCs and components. I don't think any external hard drives on sale now will come formatted with the NTFS system.

[Big Boy]

I'm really getting the impression that my first thoughts of Portable Hard Drive is the way you guys would suggest going as opposed to Cloud. I'm happy with that, but its finding a Portable Hard Drive that is real I suppose. What a messed up world we live in.

I'll go back to the official Seagate Store and see what I can find

[hhinner]

Every external Windows hard drive you buy should be capable of being reformatted, unless it contains proprietory software such as for automatic saving of data, data safe, etc. You can still reformat it but you lose the additional functions. Anything else is highly suspicious and possibly is said to prevent discovery of misdescription of the drive's capacity as said before here.

This seemed to be standard wording on most Portable Hard Drive descriptions:

During format process, our hard disk will choose exFAT automatically as default efficient format. Please DO NOT select NTFS manually, this format is not supported by our hard disk, will cause disk crash.

Interesting! I tend to side with these guys:

https://community.wd.com/t/wd-2tb-eleme ... tfs/270680

[404cameljockey]

I'm really getting the impression that my first thoughts of Portable Hard Drive is the way you guys would suggest going as opposed to Cloud. I'm happy with that, but its finding a Portable Hard Drive that is real I suppose. What a messed up world we live in.

I'll go back to the official Seagate Store and see what I can find

Given that hard drives, even SSD, are susceptible to failure, always keep a backup of your backup too, unless you're rich and can afford to run an array.

[hhinner]

I'm really getting the impression that my first thoughts of Portable Hard Drive is the way you guys would suggest going as opposed to Cloud. I'm happy with that, but its finding a Portable Hard Drive that is real I suppose. What a messed up world we live in.

I'll go back to the official Seagate Store and see what I can find

Suggest using both cloud and external storage unless you keep an external drive somewhere else.

[Big Boy]

New one ordered - 3 x the cost of the one that overheated.

[hhinner]

New one ordered - 3 x the cost of the one that overheated.

Should be good! Hope it doesn't get 3 x as hot.

[Big Boy]

The WD didn't get hot, just had problems after 200Gb. I tried with different sets of data as well, just in case there was a problem with my files - didn't want to know.

[Dannie Boy]

Is this something Mr Don (sp) could help you with - you’ve sung his praises in the past?

[Big Boy]

Problem is, it is something I've been doing with ease myself for many years (mid-80s). I was sort of expecting people to hit me with the Cloud, but nobody did. Hopefully it was me being a cheapskate with the first Seagate, and I was unlucky with the WD. I'll see how it goes with the 3rd Portable Hard Drive. If still a problem, I will need to seek help. I had considered Mr. Don already, but copying/backing up is one of the easiest tasks with a computer - I'd be embarrassed to ask, but might have to.

[georgy]

Order such items better from JIB than fakes on Lazada, not much difference in price but much better quality

[PeteC]

Problem is, it is something I've been doing with ease myself for many years (mid-80s). I was sort of expecting people to hit me with the Cloud, but nobody did. Hopefully it was me being a cheapskate with the first Seagate, and I was unlucky with the WD. I'll see how it goes with the 3rd Portable Hard Drive. If still a problem, I will need to seek help. I had considered Mr. Don already, but copying/backing up is one of the easiest tasks with a computer - I'd be embarrassed to ask, but might have to.

But...Mr. Don could probably get your photos/music off the hard drive of the ruined Laptop if it becomes impossible to get them off of the back-up HD you already have.