External Hard Drive Questions

[Smudge]

Hello:
I am planning on getting an external HD to backup my data. I know very little about EHD's So therefore I have what is probably some simple questions. Thanks in advance for helping:

1. I have data on 2 computers. One running XP Pro and the other XP Media. Will I be able to use the External HD to backup data on both computers?

2. When I upgrade my computer(s) and eventually get Vista are the current HD's compatible with Vista (or if one crashed and I had to replace with a Vista OS will I be able to download all data from the HD onto a Vista OS)?

3. One of my computer's hard drive has 20GB or data on it and the other has 25GB of data currently on it. I do not plan to put a significantly more amount of data on either computer - therefore what size ext HD should I look at? Would 80GB be good enough or do I need to go higher?

4. Are there any brands that I should stay away from or any in particular that I should try to get?


THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

 

[The_Other_One]

1. It really depends on the software you use. I mean, if the backup does something like make an image of the drive, you could just safe one as "Computer 1" and the other as "Computer 2" Or you could probably set a folder, if it doesn't make images... In other words, you shouldn't have a problem

2. That also depends on the backup methods and what you are trying to restore. I know the file and directory structure isn't the same on vista and XP. You might even have problems running the same software on the two OS's. Rather than using any special software, simply copy the files you need to keep to the drive and put them where-ever after the reload. That should work better than relying on software.

3. 80GB should be fine, but don't go skimpy. I mean I saw an ad for a 320GB drive at Sam's Club for $60! I seriously doubt you'll find anything else much cheaper...

4. It's mostly personal preference. I'd probably stick with Western Digital, but I hear Seagate has some of the best 2.5" backup drives. However, don't rely on just one form of backup. Be sure the drive has a good warrenty, but alway be sure whatever you backed up on the drive is still available on your PC. Drives have a tendency to die... Never rely on just one method of storage...

Speaking of which I need to backup stuff on my laptop