Technophobe Alert!

[Theblip]

As you’re about to see I’m hopeless with computers and need help on that front. I’ve only really used an iPad and iPhone so far. I just inherited a nearly new laptop, and plugged into the side of it is a little black box thingy apparently for saving what you write on it. What is that black box called, and how do I save Word documents on to it from the laptop? I need a very simple step by step guide please.

[dannyk13]

If you google the make and model of your laptop you may be able to find a user guide.

[Bobbisox1]

Is it an external hard drive you have?
If it is it should show in your laptops settings as being plugged in ie,USB, FOR YOUR WORD documents their should be an option to 'save to this PC' from there you can drag and drop them into the external HD

[fiction-factory]

Word documents- click Save As and you should get options as to where to save to- it's probably called E drive or F drive

[Blubster]

If the little black thingy is a USB `Flash Drive`, save your files to your PC as normal, and then drag and drop them onto the Flash Drive for a back-up. Remember to dismount the drive (using the icon bottom right of the task bar) before you remove it.

[Theblip]

It’s some sort of back-up device apparently. Where and how can I “drag and drop” documents from the laptop on to this device?

[Theblip]

Blubster, sorry but please can you explain your last sentence in more detail as I don’t understand!

[Theblip]

Also, how can I see whether I have successfully backed up on to this drive? Exactly what steps do I take to get into the contents of the device, and then to get back to the document on the laptop?

[Bobbisox1]

Okay , is it a flash drive or an external hard drive blip?

[Theblip]

Just found its box. It’s a Toshiba USB 3.0 & 2.0 Portable Hard Drive

[Theblip]

oh, found a second one - a Seagate Expansion Portable Drive. Which is easiest to use?

[Bobbisox1]

right so it has a USB to go from it to the side of the laptop?
get the Word document you want to save (you can already save them to icloud by the way) but if you want it on the HD as well, using your pad 0n the laptop if you don't have a mouse, click on the document and drag it over to where it says USB and drop it in

[Theblip]

I still cannot find where it was USB - ie. where to drag and drop. Nor can I see how to check the contents of the external hard drive (I’m using the Toshiba). Someone please explain in very simple step by step guide

[Samuraisan]

No offence Theblip, but maybe you need someone who can physically show you how to do what you want to know ? Any young people around ? Or buy Laptops ( Windows 10 etc. etc.) for Dummies, or similar.