topic Re: Help with External Drive - My Passport Ultra in Electronics

Help with External Drive - My Passport Ultra

Deree — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 20:03:38 GMT

My head is spinning after HOURS of trying to set up my first Win 10 pc. I had my Win 7 pc for 11 years up until today and already miss it terribly.

Anyhow I have a My Passport Ultra external hard drive that I used to back up my Win 7 files. I thought it would be an easy matter of plugging it into my Win 10 and a prompt would appear to "Transfer Files" or some such instruction. There was nothing. I googled and read instructions on how to which I can't follow. There are about 7 steps and the instructions don't seem to match what I see.

If anyone knows of a simpler way to upload my files from the external drive to my new Windows 10 pc I'd really appreciate it. Otherwise I'll have to pay someone to come over and do it for me.

Re: Help with External Drive - My Passport Ultra

glb613 — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 22:29:34 GMT

@Deree wrote:
My head is spinning after HOURS of trying to set up my first Win 10 pc. I had my Win 7 pc for 11 years up until today and already miss it terribly.

Anyhow I have a My Passport Ultra external hard drive that I used to back up my Win 7 files. I thought it would be an easy matter of plugging it into my Win 10 and a prompt would appear to "Transfer Files" or some such instruction. There was nothing. I googled and read instructions on how to which I can't follow. There are about 7 steps and the instructions don't seem to match what I see.

If anyone knows of a simpler way to upload my files from the external drive to my new Windows 10 pc I'd really appreciate it. Otherwise I'll have to pay someone to come over and do it for me.

Open Windows Explorer or what every it's called on Windows 10 and drag/drop or copy/paste from the external drive to the new computer.

Re: Help with External Drive - My Passport Ultra

Deree — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 00:24:05 GMT

@glb613 I hate to sound stupid - well - I'm not sure what I'm supposed to drag and drop or copy/paste. There are hundreds of files backed up from my Win 7 pc and most of those files are gobbledygoo to me the way they are listed. It's my understanding it will take a few hours to upload all these files to my Win10 pc.

Re: Help with External Drive - My Passport Ultra

SilleeMee — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 00:39:11 GMT

@Deree

I found this bit of info and it might help. There's some answers in the link here:

https://www.quora.com/How-can-one-import-files-from-an-external-hard-drive-to-Windows-10

Re: Help with External Drive - My Passport Ultra

Deree — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 01:27:46 GMT

Thanks @SilleeMee but I ran into the same problem of not understanding the instructions. I get as far as File Explorer but I got lost with the File Folder.

When I plug in my Passport Ultra into the port what comes up on my screen is not at all familiar to me. I don't know the information I'm looking at. I was hoping the instruction to transfer files would be right there but there are no instructions. Only a list of stuff I don't know what it means.

Re: Help with External Drive - My Passport Ultra

SilleeMee — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 01:33:28 GMT

@Deree

How about this video?

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+do+i+transfer+files+from+wd+passport+to+new+computer&rlz=1CAVHDQ_enUS872&oq=how+do+i+export+files+from+wd+&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l7.21292j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#kpvalbx=_Er0fXq72L7eO9PwPsbCM6A422

Re: Help with External Drive - My Passport Ultra

Nuttmeg — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 01:46:24 GMT

@Deree wrote:
Thanks @SilleeMee but I ran into the same problem of not understanding the instructions. I get as far as File Explorer but I got lost with the File Folder.
@Deree

I did a Google search "How to transfer files to an external hard drive. (eg) from a computer running Windows 7.

I found a YouTube video.

Then find a video how to moves files to from HD to Windows 10.

Please look for a video then written directions. I usually print things out.

The cable that is provided with most HD is too short for a direct to direct computer transfer. You need a extension cable.

Re: Help with External Drive - My Passport Ultra

KLm — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 03:51:20 GMT

@Deree

HD hooked to your computer via a cable should be automatically recognized by your system. If your computer doesn't "see" your external HD, this is what I would do:

1/ go to the white window pane in the lower left hand corner (the one you use to shut down the computer)

2/ go to settings

3/ go to devices, USB, and see if you can see the HD listed as visible

4/ if you can see the HD there under devices you can left click on your mouse to open it or right click to see it's properties.

5/ Once you left click on it I would think it would begin to load or ask you what you want to load.

6/ If you don't see your HD under devices, you may have a bad cable or the HD may not work with your system, or any number of crazy things.

Again, this is where I would start. HTH

Re: Help with External Drive - My Passport Ultra

Mz iMac — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 08:48:52 GMT

And if all else fails, post on the My Passport message boards.

Re: Help with External Drive - My Passport Ultra

glb613 — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 10:47:40 GMT

@Deree wrote:
@glb613 I hate to sound stupid - well - I'm not sure what I'm supposed to drag and drop or copy/paste. There are hundreds of files backed up from my Win 7 pc and most of those files are gobbledygoo to me the way they are listed. It's my understanding it will take a few hours to upload all these files to my Win10 pc.

I see others have posted links to help. What you need to move from one computer to another are photos, documents and downloads. As already posted, there are videos and written instructions found online which can help you figure out what to do.

Re: Help with External Drive - My Passport Ultra

Deree — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 11:19:38 GMT

@SilleeMee I had already watched that particular video. That guy is copying a single text document to his desktop. I need to copy thousands of files to my hard drive and it's how to copy them to my hard drive that's stumping me.

@Kim I had read about that issue of my computer perhaps not recognizing my HD, but I did see it in my Devices yesterday so my pc does recognize it. Unfortunately, when I clicked on it in Devices there was no prompt on how to upload my files.

@nutmeg3 My pc is Ethernet hard wired. I wouldn't even know how to connect my Win7 pc to my Win10 pc.

@Mz iMac A big Duh! lol

@glb613 I'll keep looking for a video that "matches" what my screens look like so I can follow those instructions without questions.

Re: Help with External Drive - My Passport Ultra

Deree — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 13:09:54 GMT

Doing some more research this morning I see this was not an uncommon problem back in 2016 when others were trying to do this but there was no solution offered.

An article I read with instructions showed this picture of the Passport Ultra where you do get a prompt when you click on Restore up top.

When I click on Restore on my Passport Ultra this is what I get.

Restore a Backup

There are no files to restore. You have not scheduled a back-up plan.

There was no prompt to select a new location to restore files. So it occurred to me maybe I need to set up a backup plan on Win10 first. I tried to do that in Control Panel Systems and Security and also hit a roadblock.

I hate Win10. Win7 was so intuitive right out of the box.

Re: Help with External Drive - My Passport Ultra

SilleeMee — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 13:37:26 GMT

@Deree wrote:
Doing some more research this morning I see this was not an uncommon problem back in 2016 when others were trying to do this but there was no solution offered.

An article I read with instructions showed this picture of the Passport Ultra where you do get a prompt when you click on Restore up top.

When I click on Restore on my Passport Ultra this is what I get.
Restore a Backup
There are no files to restore. You have not scheduled a back-up plan.

There was no prompt to select a new location to restore files. So it occurred to me maybe I need to set up a backup plan on Win10 first. I tried to do that in Control Panel Systems and Security and also hit a roadblock.

I hate Win10. Win7 was so intuitive right out of the box.

I have a Toshiba ext drive and when I plug it into my desktop I can either 'Backup' or 'Restore'...those are the two option buttons shown on the window which opens up. When I click 'Restore' then it asks me to chose which files on the Toshiba to export onto my desktop. I would think this might be similar for other ext drives.

Re: Help with External Drive - My Passport Ultra

glb613 — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 14:39:14 GMT

@Deree wrote:
@SilleeMee I had already watched that particular video. That guy is copying a single text document to his desktop. I need to copy thousands of files to my hard drive and it's how to copy them to my hard drive that's stumping me.

@Kim I had read about that issue of my computer perhaps not recognizing my HD, but I did see it in my Devices yesterday so my pc does recognize it. Unfortunately, when I clicked on it in Devices there was no prompt on how to upload my files.

@nutmeg3 My pc is Ethernet hard wired. I wouldn't even know how to connect my Win7 pc to my Win10 pc.

@Mz iMac A big Duh! lol

@glb613 I'll keep looking for a video that "matches" what my screens look like so I can follow those instructions without questions.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4465814/windows-7-move-files-off-pc-with-an-external-storage-device

Re: Help with External Drive - My Passport Ultra

Deree — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 15:09:16 GMT

@glb613 Thanks for the link. I tried that yesterday too but got hung up on Step 5 - looking for the Folder that contains my files. I don't know how to identify that folder. I don't see anything that looks like my files from my Win7 pc. I don't know what I'm looking at. Looks like I'll have to go to Geek Squad or pay my neighbor.

Re: Help with External Drive - My Passport Ultra

glb613 — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 15:49:06 GMT

@Deree wrote:
@glb613 Thanks for the link. I tried that yesterday too but got hung up on Step 5 - looking for the Folder that contains my files. I don't know how to identify that folder. I don't see anything that looks like my files from my Win7 pc. I don't know what I'm looking at. Looks like I'll have to go to Geek Squad or pay my neighbor.

All of your files are located on the "C" drive. Open Windows Explorer on your old computer, double click on the "C" drive and all of your files are located there. There should be folders named pictures, documents, programs, etc. There you will find your files. If you're not sure what is inside each folder, double click on it and see what's there. When you find the files or folders you want , either copy/paste or drag and drop it to the external hard drive. If it was me, I'd drag the entire folder.

Re: Help with External Drive - My Passport Ultra

Deree — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 19:10:14 GMT

@glb613 wrote:
@Deree wrote:
@glb613 Thanks for the link. I tried that yesterday too but got hung up on Step 5 - looking for the Folder that contains my files. I don't know how to identify that folder. I don't see anything that looks like my files from my Win7 pc. I don't know what I'm looking at. Looks like I'll have to go to Geek Squad or pay my neighbor.
All of your files are located on the "C" drive. Open Windows Explorer on your old computer, double click on the "C" drive and all of your files are located there. There should be folders named pictures, documents, programs, etc. There you will find your files. If you're not sure what is inside each folder, double click on it and see what's there. When you find the files or folders you want , either copy/paste or drag and drop it to the external hard drive. If it was me, I'd drag the entire folder.

Unfortunately I have only one pc hooked up hard wired via Ethernet cable. No router. Physically it's not the easiest process the way I'm set up and I'd have to unplug this pc and wait for my Win7 to charge up. I do know what my files look like in C: drive but what I'm looking at in Passport is not recognizable as those files. They're not listed as Documents Pictures, etc. I'll keep searching. I appreciate your help.

Re: Help with External Drive - My Passport Ultra

KLm — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 22:00:05 GMT

@Deree

If you can see your HD, you should be able to upload from it.

I would right click on it and see it that gets you options you can use.

On windows 10 (which I find unhelpful and frustrating; give me my XP), when I hook up my phone or a USB device, the system opens up a window for me to upload from the USB device. So my thought is that you might need to update or install a driver for your HD so the HD and computer can "talk" to each other.

I am not sure it is a driver issue, but that is what I would look at next. Even if all I did was research it on google. HTH

Re: Help with External Drive - My Passport Ultra

glb613 — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 00:01:27 GMT

@Deree wrote:
@glb613 wrote:
@Deree wrote:
@glb613 Thanks for the link. I tried that yesterday too but got hung up on Step 5 - looking for the Folder that contains my files. I don't know how to identify that folder. I don't see anything that looks like my files from my Win7 pc. I don't know what I'm looking at. Looks like I'll have to go to Geek Squad or pay my neighbor.
All of your files are located on the "C" drive. Open Windows Explorer on your old computer, double click on the "C" drive and all of your files are located there. There should be folders named pictures, documents, programs, etc. There you will find your files. If you're not sure what is inside each folder, double click on it and see what's there. When you find the files or folders you want , either copy/paste or drag and drop it to the external hard drive. If it was me, I'd drag the entire folder.
Unfortunately I have only one pc hooked up hard wired via Ethernet cable. No router. Physically it's not the easiest process the way I'm set up and I'd have to unplug this pc and wait for my Win7 to charge up. I do know what my files look like in C: drive but what I'm looking at in Passport is not recognizable as those files. They're not listed as Documents Pictures, etc. I'll keep searching. I appreciate your help.

This has nothing to do with the internet. You attach the external hard drive to your computer and transfer the data. I'm beginning to wonder just how much you understand about transfering files.

Re: Help with External Drive - My Passport Ultra

SilleeMee — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 01:08:29 GMT

If you've come to a point where you just can't figure it out then maybe take your new pc and your ext drive to a tech place and have them help you. That won't be cheap but at least you will be able to move on to using your new computer.