Using external hard drive to save important files, wiping laptop clean, and re-adding files?

Question

my laptop is running very slow and has some sort of pop up virus to the poin where i cannot access intenet explorer anymore. I recently bought a Maxtor external hard drive and put all of my mp3s, pictures, and MSWord documents on it. If I were to wipe my laptop clean and have these files re-added from the external drive afterwards, would it work? Because I hooked the External hard drive up to my home Computer to make sure I backed them up correctly and it installed the maxtor program but did not offer to restore any files from my laptop. Any help would be greatly, GREATLY appreciated!

Answer 1

i wouldn't use their software with it. basically just a drag and drop would work fine. after you do the format and reinstallation of windows just drag them back over. if its just files (mp3's, pics, documents...) and no programs, you could even make data cds or dvds and that would work to.

Answer 2

After you wipe ( format ) your laptop and reinstall all programs you had before and copy back all your files ( not programs ) from the external drive you get access back to them with any problem .  

Answer 3

I have two HDs on my desktop.  Twice I have copied my files to it and formatted my main drive, reinstalled OS and programs.  Then I just copy the files back to the C drive in the old folders they were in (you may need to make new folders).

Under my MS Word I have a folder called, of all things, Word Docs, plus  afew other catagories thatI make each itme.

Answer 4

It wont offer, you have to copy them manually.

Answer 5

Hi Justin

Yes you can add all your files without any problem. Just reformat your HD and install windows. Then re-install your MS Word and music program. Then, just log on your external HD and copy them or leave them on your external drive which i would do .