[Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] Western Digital/dvd drive backup issue

[Robert Primak]

 The backup software for older WD hard drives may no longer be maintained by WD. But they do have backup software for their newer hard drives. 
I have always relied on third-party backup software which can be used on anyone's drives. Like Macrium Reflect (no longer free) or EaseUS Backup (still free). EaseUS also has a good PC Transfer program, and there are others out there. These programs may be able to transfer your data and many of your programs to a new PC.  (You would still need to reenter the license keys.) Windows 11 can run most software which Windows 7 and Windows 10 could run, but usually nothing older. 
Too bad about the DVD drive, but jams could happen with those drives, and some did not have the paperclip hole. 
I disagree about using external SSDs for long-term data backup. I think they still have greater data loss possibilities than traditional hard drives. But not by much.
Cloud backup is getting better, especially being able to get the data back faster now than years ago. OneDrive may not be ideal, but in Windows 10 and 11, it is getting better. 
Good luck with your project.
-- Bob Primak 

    On Sunday, January 7, 2024 at 06:12:54 PM EST, Tracy Marks via LCTG <lctg at lists.toku.us> wrote:  
 
 Hello folks -
I'm a very inactive member on this list who is not very tech savvy apart 
from spending 20 years using and  teaching Photoshop, and basic Windows 
navigation and customization skills. I am however, quite incompetent, 
when it comes to hardware, so am not likely to open my computer (an 2016 
Lenovo desktop, using Windows 10, soon to be replaced).

My question following initial explanation:
I have been transferring all my files to my quite old but functional 
Western Digital My Book backup drive. No problem with that. However I'm 
getting a new computer next week, with Windows 11, and intend to 
transfer my files from the backup drive (unless I get help setting up 
wifi, and find it easier to do with wi fi) to the new HP Windows 11 
computer.

One way or another, I intend to connect the backup drive to the new 
computer.

The trouble is that the software for the backup drive is on a dvd inside 
my dvd drive, where it's been since I first installed it since the dvd 
drive became stuck at that point.

I've tried every method (apart from opening the computer - which I can't 
do - and taking out the dvd drive) of trying to unstick it. Almost every 
how-to site online speaks of using a paperclip in the hole on the 
outside of the drive but there is no such hole on my drive. And when I 
open the outside cover, the dvd drive itself is about two inches inside 
it with no nubs, holes etc. of any kind for nudging it.

But -- My main question, however, is:

Will I need the installation software for my My Book external drive in 
order to access that drive on the new computer? And if so, well, I'll 
need help unsticking that drive....).

I'm really not likely to need that drive on the old computer though 
unless I need it to get out that installation disc.

ADDENDUM
Come to think of it, I don't even know if a 6 year old My Book will work 
with Windows 11, so all my backups would not be of any use for file 
transfer anyway (500 gb, by the way, and having just gone through a 
nightmare with OneDrive -- never again will I count on the Clouds for 
backup).

Damn. Should I just do a transfer via wifi?

Tracy Marks
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