How do i use a western digital external hard drive ...

the disc that comes with it should have a help section. the first thing it will ask about is partitions. that is how you want to break down the total amount of the drive and dedicate it to different tasks memory, comp speed, ect. if it is just for storing pictures and other data then there is a place on the disc to do that. after you install the drive using the disc then it is plug and play from then on. if you do not have the disc then plug it in and your comp will search for software online which is usually free. good luck, and do not get frustrated.

it should be plug and play straight up if you have windows XP or Vista. Then you will access my computer and it will be as a Drive (E:) or something like that. You will put what files you want on it.

Betty, I am sorry. You do not need a CD.(As long as you have windows XP or newer.) You do not need a manual. You do need a USB cable and a power cable. Plug the power cable in. Plug the usb cable into the hard drive, and then into a USB slot. Click on start. Click on 'my computer'. You should see there, a new item. This new item should be an E: drive, or something of the like. You click on it, and it will open up. You drag and drop... copy and paste... or put what you want onto that External Hard drive from there. That is how mine works.