[KOConnor]

I'm switching from a 5yr old HP Pavillion PC to a sparkly new iMac. I'd like to back everything up to an external hard drive, and I don't think my current (7yr old) LaCie 250Gb eHDD is going to cut it

Now, technology has moved on since I bought my PC (who knew about USB 3, let alone Thunderbolt!), and my PC only has USB 2 compatibility. Will a new LaCie be compatible with my old system, will anything be compatible with both my old and new systems???

I'm a partial luddite, so keep the language simple please

Many thanks!

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Generally, the USB devices are backwards compatible. I am using a USB3 device on a USB2 system without a problem, but the cables are different, so you need an older cable.

[Kemasa]

Generally, the USB devices are backwards compatible. I am using a USB3 device on a USB2 system without a problem, but the cables are different, so you need an older cable.

[iammykyl]

Gday.
You can plug a USB 3.0 type A into a USB 2.0 Type A socket.
> http://www.usr.com/e...eripherals0.asp
> http://pcsupport.abo...mpatibility.htm
Not used this, but if your iMac supports Thunderbolt, this or something similar, > http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822165477

You could look at direct transfer of files from the PC.
> http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2518
A few videos here, > http://video.about.c...aring.htm#vdTrn
There may be some file types not compatible, > http://answers.micro...45-a3506889b3ca

[KOConnor]

Many thanks

[iammykyl]

Your welcome,

[yeshgutam]

USB HDD is very useful.

I just purchased seagate expansion which is working with my pc which have Biostar motherboard.

Its fast.