USB 3.0 devices are backward compatible with USB 2.0. Your laptop probably has USB 2.0. -----Original Message----- From: pctechtalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:pctechtalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Christy Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2012 10:04 PM To: pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- Re: external hard drives for backup Thanks Don, How do I know if I have usb 2 or 3 on my laptop? I have had it for two years or 2.5 yrs. Do I have to have a usb 3 laptop to use the drive? Christy -----Original Message----- From: RecklessMaverick Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2012 9:21 PM To: pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- Re: external hard drives for backup http://www.walmart.com/ip/Toshiba-Canvio-USB-3.0-750GB-USB-3.0-Portable-Hard -Drive/17654757 This appears to be the best deal at Wal-mart for under $100.00 especially if you want USB 3.0. Don -----Original Message----- From: pctechtalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:pctechtalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Christy Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2012 9:59 AM To: pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- external hard drives for backup Hi everyone, I would like to know where I can get an external hard drive for a decent price for my old Dell. I want to back up all my files and some programs and then reformat the old hard drive. I looked at some portable ones that ran around $80.00 at Best Buy but they did not hold as much data I think. I do have movies and lots o f pictures to back up. Also he it would not transfer as fast since my old Dell probably used a usb 1 or 2 port? I have a laptop also that most likely uses usb 3 port the sales guy told me. But some of the desktop models were like $150.00. They had lost of storage but "ouch". Also would like to know if BC wipe is still a good free program for wiping a drive. Christy --------------------------------------------------------------- Please remember to trim your replies (including this sentence and everything below it) and adjust the subject line as necessary. To subscribe, unsubscribe or modify your email settings: //www.freelists.org/webpage/pctechtalk OR To subscribe to the mailing list, send an email to pctechtalk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "subscribe" in the Subject. To unsubscribe send email to pctechtalk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "unsubscribe" in the Subject. 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To access our Archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PCTechTalk/messages/ //www.freelists.org/archives/pctechtalk/ To contact only the PCTT Mod Squad, write to: pctechtalk-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx To join our separate PCTableTalk off-topic group, send a blank email to: pctabletalk+subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Please remember to trim your replies (including this sentence and everything below it) and adjust the subject line as necessary. To subscribe, unsubscribe or modify your email settings: //www.freelists.org/webpage/pctechtalk OR To subscribe to the mailing list, send an email to pctechtalk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "subscribe" in the Subject. To unsubscribe send email to pctechtalk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "unsubscribe" in the Subject. To access our Archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PCTechTalk/messages/ //www.freelists.org/archives/pctechtalk/ To contact only the PCTT Mod Squad, write to: pctechtalk-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx To join our separate PCTableTalk off-topic group, send a blank email to: pctabletalk+subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Please remember to trim your replies (including this sentence and everything below it) and adjust the subject line as necessary. To subscribe, unsubscribe or modify your email settings: //www.freelists.org/webpage/pctechtalk OR To subscribe to the mailing list, send an email to pctechtalk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "subscribe" in the Subject. To unsubscribe send email to pctechtalk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "unsubscribe" in the Subject. To access our Archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PCTechTalk/messages/ //www.freelists.org/archives/pctechtalk/ To contact only the PCTT Mod Squad, write to: pctechtalk-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx To join our separate PCTableTalk off-topic group, send a blank email to: pctabletalk+subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ---------------------------------------------------------------