Won't back up on fat32 External USB HDD Windows Backup Discuss Won't back up on fat32 External USB HDD in the Vista Features forums; I just bought a 320GB Western Digital MyBook external USB HDD. I bought it with the intention of using it as a file backup device with Vista. When I opened ...

[xcmav66]

I just bought a 320GB Western Digital MyBook external USB HDD. I bought it with the intention of using it as a file backup device with Vista. When I opened up Vista's Backup and Restore Center and clicked the option to back up my entire computer, it informed me that the HDD is not compatible with system backup because it is not formatted as NTFS. Is it wise to format the drive to NTFS? (I checked and confirmed that it is currently fat32). If so, how should I go about formatting it? If not, what are my other options?

[felix8406]

Formatting to the NTFS is simple and straight forward, and safe.

1. Open computer and find the drive.
2. Right-click the drive and select 'format.
3. Under File system, select NTFS (Default).
4. Under Volume label, type a name you want to assigned to the HD, e.g. External, Backup, etc.
5. Under Format options, select Quick Format. Click Start.