Adding an external drive.

Hello everyone,
Your help please!, I recently purchased a Western Digital 320Gb Elements External USB hard drive. Package containing drive and CD software, though software recommended to be used, turned out that you are required to purchase £21 after 30 days trial (no mention of this, printed on outside or inside package).
An E-mail to WD on this aspect remains unanswered, though to be honest, later received an electronic questionaire on my views regarding their products!
Does Windows 7 Home edition have software to allow backups of files be made automatically or only manually? Why I ask is, checking the backups on the external drive, lists backup, however date remains the same and appears not to change.
The CD included with WD drive, states that any file or program listed changes in content if an update is current, then file will automatically be updated with that new dated backup.
Is there a solution other than purchasing the CD trial program?
Any help will be most appreciated.

 

I can't claim to be an expert, but these are two ways I've done it (XP Home, SP3).

Son-in-law took an 80G hard drive out of a computer I was retiring and installed it in a "frisby" portable box. The box includes a power supply, cooloing fan, etc., and I assume some form of translator to go USB.

The first back-up I did was with the built-in XP back-up program. I never need to use it for a restore, so I don't know how it would've turned out.

A more recent one was a manual back-up. Fistly, I created a complete file structure for all my data files that matches what's in use on my computer. Then I copied each folder onto the portable. I didn't attempt to copy the operating programs over, as I have installation disks for some and I use freebies off the internet for the others.

I hope I never have to rebuild my working computer, so I might never find out if I'm up the proverbial creek!

 

Yes.

http://lifehacker.com/5144757/first-look-at-windows-7s-backup-and-restore-center