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Backup to external HD unreasonably slow, why?

I have a Western Digital My Passport Essential 500Gb (brand new), connected via USB2.0 to my Toshiba Satellite P100.

I have 110Gb of data to copy (I selected the entire c:\ drive). It has been copying for 24 hours now, and it's STILL not done. The only way this could happen is if this was via USB1 (30 hours at 1Mbps), which my computer does not even have. What's going on?? I know the xHD is encrypting, but could it take THAT long?

Update:

I have a freshly reinstalled and updated McAffee sitting in the background, but it doesn't seem to be active right now.

2 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Unless you are using a backup program such as Acronis 2009, it is going to take a very long time to backup your entire C:/ drive.

    Why ? Because there are files/programs running and you cannot copy a file if it is in use.

    That is why just copying your C:\ drive won't back up your operating system...windows files are running and cannot be copied.

    You need something like Acronis 2009 or Norton Ghost to copy your C:\ drive in its entirety with the operating system intact for future restorations.

    Sarge

  • 1 decade ago

    This may not help - but do you have an antivirus program running in the background, scanning every single file before it is transferred to the hard drive? That can make the transfer time incredibly slow for 110GB.

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