Backing up to an external Drive

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I have an external hard drive that I use to create an image of my present hard drive. Since a lot of space is unused I decided to store files from my laptop. I partitioned the external hard drive creating a block of 50gb. The amount to store is about 35gb. The partition is formatted wit NTFS. When I tried to copy the information to the partition, I got a message saying I was 7 +/- gb short (or words to that effect). When I clicked on the partition and then clicked properties I got a pie chart almost cut in two showing that half was in use. The information above said that 22.7 mb was free and 22.7 mb in use. When I hit “Disk Cleanup” I am taken to a box that says “Disk Cleanup” The box that lists the “files to delete” shows “Recycle Bin” with o bytes. pressing on the box that says “view Files”, I get a blank screen, no files. If it is not apparent from the above, my goal is to be able to Copy and paste a lot of files, but not more than I know should fit on the partition on the external Hard drive. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

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Sounds like the partitioning operation didn’t go correctly. If you don’t have irreplaceable data on the drive, I would go through the partitioning process again.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

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Tried it three different times. Followed the instructions. I ended up with several different pie charts, but when I try to copy the material I get the same message about being short 7.09 mb. I got this same message when the pie chart showed almost 44 gb available. For information sake the external hard drive has been in use for some time, used only to back up my desk top computer. The laptop I am copying the files from is less than a week old. For you information the stuff I am backing up are CDs almost all Jazz. It occurs to me that the external hard drive has no taste whatsoever. I am contemplating several options. all of them entail money I should not really have to spend, that is what aggravates me.

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This is a reply to mrjimphelps, Roderunner and bassfisher6522. I want to apologize to all of you. I said, after receipt of your various suggestions that I ws doing something else that was wrong and I was correct. What I was doing was semi-stupid. I found out that when partitioning (or shrinking) you can’t type in 45 if you want 45 gb you have to type in 45,000. I say semi because on the one hand Microsoft could have put some boxes or circles to indicate the category of the amount entered, on the other hand this doesn’t seem to have bothered most people since I appear to be the only one who made this kind of an error. I apologize because I gave every one bad information. The greatest doctor in the world will not be able to cure you if you give him your cousins symptoms. Thanks for your efforts.

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Hi Miv, you could try this method. Just select your partition.

36221-RR

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Thank you for the reply. I tried it and the result was that the pie chart still shows 22.2 mb available out of a total of 47.9 capacity. What is frustrating is that I know I am doing something wrong and I can’t figure out what it is. Thanks again for the try.

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Hi Miv, check the settings in ‘Folder Option’s View tab. These are mine.

33277-RR
Click image to enlarge it.

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What size is the external HDD? Can you post a screen shot of your disk management window? What software did you use to partition the drive…..eg, natively with windows or some 3rd party software? Is the HDD you’re coping from formatted in FAT 32 or NTFS? Does the newly created partition have an assigned drive letter…which is why I’m asking for the screen shot of your disk management window.

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Thanks for the reply. The hard drive in question is 285 mb. The partition created for this backup is 45. I partitioned it with windows, no 3rd party software. It was formatted NTFS and is designated (E).

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Thanks for the reply. I made the suggested changes. What do you suggest next?

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Thanks for the reply. I made the suggested changes. What do you suggest next?

I suggest adding the members name to whom your replying. Do as Bassfisher6522 suggested.

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I have an external hard drive that I use to create an image of my present hard drive. Since a lot of space is unused I decided to store files from my laptop. I partitioned the external hard drive creating a block of 50gb. The amount to store is about 35gb. The partition is formatted wit NTFS. When I tried to copy the information to the partition, I got a message saying I was 7 +/- gb short (or words to that effect). When I clicked on the partition and then clicked properties I got a pie chart almost cut in two showing that half was in use. The information above said that 22.7 mb was free and 22.7 mb in use. When I hit “Disk Cleanup” I am taken to a box that says “Disk Cleanup” The box that lists the “files to delete” shows “Recycle Bin” with o bytes. pressing on the box that says “view Files”, I get a blank screen, no files. If it is not apparent from the above, my goal is to be able to Copy and paste a lot of files, but not more than I know should fit on the partition on the external Hard drive. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Just keep it simple, using partitions on an external drive instead of simple folders is an over complicated waste of time and energy.
Optimally, use just one external drive specifically for image creation storage, and always unplug and store when not in actual usage.
A second external drive can be used exclusively for data, and can safely remain connected to the computer.

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Thank you for your reply. In the interim I solved the problem and am about to respond again to the two earlier responders that tried to help. I appreciate every ones efforts.

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