Transporting and Connecting

• When transporting your external hard drive from computer to computer or when first connecting the device, place it gently on a flat surface to keep the hard drive's head assembly from crashing into the drive's platters. The drive platters contain your stored data and are easily damaged if a component crashes into them. Also, when connecting the drive to a computer, do not knock the drive or its cabling against a hard surface or drop the device. Make sure its cable is properly connected to your computer's USB, FireWire or eSATA port and keep the drive away from heat sources such as fireplaces and portable heaters.
  
  

File and Folder Structure

• Organize your external hard drive's files into folders so you can quickly locate a file without having to scroll through the drive's main directory. If using Windows, click "Start" and "Computer" then click your external drive's icon. Right-click anywhere within the drive's window and click "New" then "Folder." Enter a name for the folder into the highlighted box. If using a Mac, click your external drive's icon on your Mac's "Desktop." Press and hold the "Control" key on your Mac's keyboard then click anywhere on your computer's "Desktop." A menu will appear. Click "New Folder." Click on the folder's name to rename it.
  
  

Backup

• If using your external hard drive as backup device, transfer your computer's files into a folder labeled "Backup" on your external drive. Make sure you also label the folder with a date so you know the last time a backup was performed. You can also use a commercial or shareware program that compresses your computer's data as it is transferring it to the external drive. Commercial and shareware programs also label the backup with a date and time --- this is handy if you need to restore files in the event of a system crash. Note that external hard drives can also crash. Back up your external drive onto a set of CD or DVD discs.
  
  

Data Transfers and Shut Down

• Do not turn off your external hard drive if the drive is in use --- transferring files or data. Shutting down the drive during a transfer process can corrupt your files and possibly the device itself. Wait until the transfer process is complete, then turn off the drive.
  
  

Disconnecting an External Drive

• Before moving your external hard drive to another computer, follow the drive's disconnect and shut-down procedure provided within the drive's documentation. You may also use Windows' disconnect procedure by double-clicking the "Safely Remove" icon in your Windows System Tray next to the clock. When the utility opens, click your external drive's name, then the "Stop" button. The utility will then prompt you when it is safe to disconnect the drive from your computer. If using a Mac, click and drag your external drive's icon to the "Trash Can." Failure to properly shut down and disconnect your external drive can result in file corruption and data loss.