Small, external, portable hard drives usually need only one cable for both data and power. An external hard drive typically has one or two cords, usually one for the computer which transfers the data, and another that may also go into your computer or an electric plug to power the hard drive. While it might seem like a no brainer, the first step for setting up your hard drive is to plug it into your computer. We hope these tips will help you understand how to best utilize your external hard drive and protect your data. But we love hard drives ( obviously) and will include some information below regarding the benefits they can bring to your table: extra space on your computer for new files and applications, portability, and more! A Guide to Setting Up Your First External Hard Driveĭuring this COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have found ourselves in situations where we are handed external hard drives to keep our files safe. When you first start using an external hard drive, you might be annoyed by the need to learn something new, or you may simply ignore it. If you’re one of many folks who are suddenly asking “what is this thing?” and “how will it be helpful to me?” and “I hope I don’t break it”-all while trying to schedule online lesson plans, big meetings, or just trying to continue your connection with your students-you’re not alone! Lots of folks are dealing with this, and we’re here to help with a guide for setting up and protecting your new hard drive. This is a reality for thousands of teachers and employees who are being asked to learn new skills at home without the aid of onsite IT help. She was nervous about using it incorrectly, breaking it, or even just finding it on her computer. My friend never had to use an external hard drive before since she saved everything to the computer she used at work or on to a Google Drive account. Her school district gave out Zoom accounts and external hard drives to some of the teachers in order to have them transfer their lesson plans from their school computers to the personal devices they have at home, and sent them on their way. She had just been given the news that she would have to start teaching from home.

At the beginning of this month, I received a frantic phone call from a long time friend who teaches ninth grade English.

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