How long does it take to backup around 100 Gb with a WD Passport Elite?

MoetziesMom · Mar 11, 2015

I must admit that it's been years since I plugged in my WD Passport Elite after the initial backup. I can't remember how long that first run took (probably left it overnight), but this time it's been running a solid 12 hours and doesn't appear to be close to finished. Frankly, the thing freaks me out (poor user instructions and tools), which is why I let it sit for so long. Now that I know the error of my ways, I'm trying to incorporate it into the schedule again. But how long is this thing going to run???? I wish it had some sort of gauge on it to show completion!

WyomingKnott · Mar 11, 2015

Lessee. It's a USB 2.0 device, theoretical maximum throughput 35 MB/s. Did you mean one hundred gigabytes (usually GB) or gigabits (usually Gb)? I'll assume you meant gigabytes. (100 GB) * (1024 GB / MB) / (35 MB / s) / (60 s / min) = 49.76 minutes. Now, the interface never runs at theoretical maximun, but either my math is way the heck off, or that's a bit long.

Is it possible to use Windows to see the size of the backup file or directory, and see if it's growing and how fast?

Solandri · Mar 11, 2015

WyomingKnott :

It depends on the type of files on the disk as well. If you have a gazillion small files, the disk is seek speed-limited, and will run closer to 1 MB/s. If you do have lots of small files like this, it's faster just to clone the partition. The disk then does a raw sequential read of every sector on the disk, instead of trying to find and read each individual file.

What program are you using to backup? The one included with Windows is terrible. I've seen it take 2-3 days with a 200 GB system. Try Macrium Reflect, Easus Todo Backup, or Paragon Backup and Recovery. And only the first backup needs to be a full backup (recurring about once a month). Your daily and weekly backups can be incremental.

MoetziesMom · Mar 11, 2015

Did you mean one hundred gigabytes (usually GB) or gigabits (usually Gb)? I'll assume you meant gigabytes. (100 GB) * (1024 GB / MB) / (35 MB / s) / (60 s / min) = 49.76 minutes. Now, the interface never runs at theoretical maximun, but either my math is way the heck off, or that's a bit long.

Is it possible to use Windows to see the size of the backup file or directory, and see if it's growing and how fast?

You were right, WyomingKnott...it is GBs not Gbs. I can see the files being transferred, and the total storage on the external drive is getting larger, but unfortunately it's taken 9 hours just to increase by 2 GB. At this rate, it'll take almost TWO WEEKS to complete. The issue may be with an old (and about to crash) tower, or the fact that I didn't choose files correctly and the program is backing up numerous duplicates. I will have to try to create a new backup plan, be very careful about assigning files, and give it another go. I'm not computer savvy enough to figure out much more.

Solandri, I'm using the program that is installed on the WD (Western Digital) external hard drive (Passport Elite). Their user instructions are not "WD for Dummies", so I have difficulty following them (my bad). I probably do have a gazillion small files that I don't need backing up, but am too unfamiliar with what I DO need, so I've let the program decide for me. I'm mostly interested in preserving photos, family videos, and documents that I've created, so will try to designate only those for backup. It wouldn't be the end of the world if I lost everything else.

Thanks to you both for getting back to me. Since I already have about 24 hours into this, I was willing to let it go....until I realized it could take the two weeks! If I leave the USB plugged in and power down the computer, will it pick up where it left off again without me having to do anything? That would be somewhat less painful. But I just don't want to leave the whole system online for two weeks straight. I think it needs some beauty sleep, too.

ArtPog · Mar 12, 2015

You're kind of on the horns of a dilemma at this point. It would be tempting to advise you to pull the plug on that USB external hard drive and start over using a different type of backup program such as the one Solandri recommended, i.e., the Macrium Reflect Free program. It's a disk-cloning program and based upon my experience with using it a number of times it seems to do its job well - cloning the contents of one drive to another drive. Now of course we're assuming that USBEHD you're using is non-defective and the problem you're experiencing is due to the backup program.

But I can't -won't - give you that advice because there's a real & present danger that by doing so it could jeopardize (corrupt) the existing data on your source drive. It's not likely that could happen but it could - it definitely could. Then you'd really be in a pickle. So you must understand that and make your decision accordingly.

Anyway, if all goes well whichever way you choose to go, do consider using a disk-cloning program in the future to create comprehensive backups of your system and do use such a program at reasonably frequent intervals so that your system is backed up in a reasonably up-to-date fashion. With the right kind of program it won't take too long to achieve this desired outcome.

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How long does it take to backup around 100 Gb with a WD Passport Elite?

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