How to Transfer Large Files to an External Hard Drive
By Kefa Olang
External hard drives are popular portable storage devices because they allow you to back up files such as documents, music and videos, and transfer files from one computer to another. While external hard drives vary in storage capacity, they are ideal for storing large files such as videos and animations. Files of this nature consume volumes of hard drive and memory space and are best stored in external hard drives. Whether you are using Windows or Mac OSX, transfer large memory consuming files to your external hard drive quickly and safely.
Step 1
Connect your external hard drive to your computer using the Firewire or USB cable that came with your portable storage device. Power on your drive. Some external hard drives do not have a power button, because your computer powers them on automatically using the Firewire or USB cable.
Step 2
Click the Windows "Start" orb and click "Computer" or "My Computer" to launch Windows Explorer if you are using a Windows PC. You should see your external hard drive in the "Drives" section next to the "Local drive (C:)" drive. If you are using a Mac, you should see your external hard drive on the desktop.
Step 3
Double-click your external hard drive to open its hard disk window. If you have any content on your external hard drive, you should see it in this window.
Step 4
Drag files from your computer to your external hard disk's window. Because you are uploading large files, make sure their memory sizes do not exceed your drive's total memory. Your computer shows a status bar displaying the upload progress for each file you are transferring to your drive. The upload time varies depending on the size of the file.
Step 5
Close the hard disk window when you finish uploading the files you want to store, and then click the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon on the System Tray next to the clock, if you are using Windows. The hardware removal window launches. Click your external hard drive's icon in the hardware removal window, and then click "Stop." When prompted, disconnect your external hard drive from your computer. Drag your external hard drive's icon from the desktop to the trash bin on the dock if you are using a Mac. Disconnect your drive from your computer.
References
Writer Bio
Kefa Olang has been writing articles online since April 2009. He has been published in the "Celebration of Young Poets" and has an associate degree in communication and media arts from Dutchess Community College, and a bachelor's degree in broadcasting and mass communication from the State University of New York, Oswego.