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Question

Computer backup

Oct 9, 2018 12:09AM PDT

I have a remote HD attached to my computer. It was set to auto update and overwrite existing data. However my C drive shows 4.79 GB free of 79.9 but my remote HD says 41.6 free of 298 GB. I am not particularly computer literate and would like to know how to check the settings. Many thanks.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Re: backup
Oct 9, 2018 12:24AM PDT

It means that you have 75 GB used on your c-drive and 257 GB used on your backup computer. Probably a lot of old files, or the overwrite doesn't work. Or you backup too much (such a all temporary Internet files).

The settings probably are in the backup program you run. Please tell what program. I don't think it's native Windows functionality. So if you don't know, ask the person who set it up for you.

And better cleanup the c drive. It is too full.

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backup
Oct 9, 2018 4:43AM PDT

try cleanup software to clear out the your PC memory

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Backup
Oct 9, 2018 6:42AM PDT

Thanks Abrienne. Will run a cleanup prog and delete temp internet files .

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Backup.
Oct 9, 2018 6:48AM PDT

Am not sure what programme used to set up backup HD (SEAGATE) and it may be difficult to ask the person who did it. I suppose I only need to backup documents and photos so once it’s sorted this might help. It’s definitely the overwrite that’s not working because the auto backups are being done on time. Once again many thanks for your response.

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Re: backup
Oct 9, 2018 7:20AM PDT

If you don't know what program you use, then surely nobody here can tell you what settings in that program to check.

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Backup
Oct 9, 2018 10:34AM PDT

Fair point , will investigate further .

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Answer
Let me give another example.
Oct 9, 2018 11:32AM PDT

Let's say you set it to overwrite files.

Think of what happens if you had a file called THEYLIVE.avi and it's 1GB in size. Not uncommon for a video file.

Now you delete if from your computer's drive C but the backup is set to overwrite. the THEYLIVE.avi should not be deleted since that's not an overwrite function. THEYLIVE.avi lives on.