drive for 50 bucks or so. More money gets you more storage

As far as type, brand, storage, etc goes, everything out there is pretty good. I don't know if I'd get an external solid state drive -- you won't get much of a speed advantage using USB2, and they are usually more expensive.

I have Seagate, Western Digital and some "unnamed" drives and they all have been working flawlessly for years. The newer ones are nice in that they don't need external power-- they are powered through USB.

Here's a start: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=136

Is HHD what I want? I want to save documents, pictures, email. The older external hard drive we have works on my old desktop, but will not open on the laptop. Since that is happening, I am leery of lifespan on any equipment.

Thank you so much for your help.

external HDD by various manufacturers in various capacities:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=external+hard+drive&crid=1SZFK6U8CL4NM&sprefix=ex%2Caps%2C283&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_2

From what you described, I would think a 2TB USB HDD would suffice.

That helps me a lot.

They have a consumer based line with software that can set up and schedule backups.

Also for your old HD there are USB based cables and docks that can connect right to it and extract data.
Like this one
https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-External-Lay-Flat-Docking-EC-DFLT/dp/B00LS5NFQ2/ref=asc_df_B00LS5NFQ2/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309818716690&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17311922218714745863&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9002607&hvtargid=pla-365069372813&psc=1

We removed the HDs from many of our older computers as a way to save pictures and other things, even if we had them saved other ways. Had no idea how to access them, but figured there is a way. Some of the are pre-USB.

Thanks for the information!

That is where I buy most of my computer components. Unfortunately, they now sell for third party vendors, so I always have to check the box to only buy from NewEgg since it is a known quantity for me.

Also, think about getting and enclosure for the hard drive from your old laptop. Since the laptop is probably not worth the cost of repair to anyone, take the hard drive out and stick it in an enclosure. That does two things - you keep the data on the drive safe and you have an extra external drive.

If you want to be really clever, get another drive that will fit into the same enclosure (laptop drives are usually 2.5&quot and swap them out. If it is a SATA drive you can get a drive dock and change out the drives as needed, without having to put in and out of an enclosure - like this one: https://www.newegg.com/startech-sdock2u313-office-products/p/N82E16817707398

Our router is Western Digital. We used to buy from Tiger Direct and New Egg before Internet shopping. Forgot about them.

They come in many sizes. I have a 1TB that I store movies, music and backups of pictures on. Had it for years and it still runs perfect

I am leaning toward Western Digital with so many recs