Hola,
I'm going to be ordering my new desktop next week sometime and I'm getting a 500GB internal hard drive and a 320GB external hard drive (my parents want me to backup every day).

After I get the computer I'm going to install Vista and XP then I'm going to use Norton Ghost to make an image of my system. I'll then put it on the external so in case the desktop craps out for some reason I'll have an image of it. I'm concerned that because I have a 500GB hard drive to make an image of it I need a 500GB external...will I be fine with a 320GB?

Thanks.

I'm sure that you won't have more than 320gb at a time, so you don't need more.

First off, I don't know if Norton Ghost is good.

And backing up everyday? That's a little extreme. I mean, you really only need to backup important files and I doubt you make an uber important file every day. Once a week is better.

320GB will be more than enough.

What are you going to do when your desktop exceeds 320GB? If you're making a backup, your backup drive should meet or exceed your regular hard drive.

Adding to what Agent F said, if you choose to go with 500 external and 320 internal (so the external is larger than the external), then I'd recommend this Maxtor OneTouch4 drive. I know Bob-Sama doesn't like them, but I personally own one and they're really efficient.

I'm not making a full backup, just school documents and possibly music/pictures. I doubt that will exceed 320GB.

Umm, thats half a terrabyte

I guess you will be safe with it (i dont think you can get 0,5 terrabyte used?)

Also this is a nice tip:
Like keep your backup for 1 week it automaticly deletes it after 1 week (very very handy)
And paying for stuff thats free is not a good option?
There is a built in thingy from windows to backup


~Ulti