Moving back up{restore files} from ext H/drive to memory stick question

A question about : Moving back up{restore files} from ext H/drive to memory stick question

I have just bought a new laptop {as yet not even switched it on} and I want to make a back up file incase it is needed in the future.
The problem is it needs a min of 16 GB for the back up {as per the website} ,now I have an old 20 GB external harddrive with nothing on it but would like to use it for photos in the future. My question is can I use it to make the back up and then transfer that from said harddrive to a memory stick later without any problems??

Best answers:

• Do you have the install discs for the operating system and software, or is there a backup/restore partition on the HDD? If so, you don't need to backup. You've put no data on the machine, so there's none of your data to backup. All you're backing up is the OS and any pre-installed software.
• Buy a USB stick, it will not be worth the hassle, you would need to copy the bootblocks from the HDD to the USB stick afterwards and the partiton size/disk layout would be wrong
• Thanks to both of you for your replies. There were no discs supplied with the laptop {as far as I understand it these days the back up is part of the partition on the hard drive. As a older PC/Laptop user I was just trying to cover for any future problem before it happens.
  As to getting a USB stick this was something I was going to do but as {for money saving} I buy many items from 7 Day shop and to get one will take between 3 to 6 days and I was hoping that I could use the old portable H/D as a stop gap while I wait for the delivery.
  I must admit that seeing the new laptop just sitting in its box is beginning to make me a little frustrated that it is not being used.
  I know I may be sounding a bit over the top but the last laptop I bought was over Ј1200 and due to a lot of not understanding things on my part I managed to totally destroy it in less than a year and that does not include the many times I needed to restore to factory settings due to virus and other problems so this time I am trying to be ultra careful this time.
• OK uou could use the HDD as a stop gap, and then create another recover disk when your USB stick arrives.
• Thanks again Taverman and Jivesinger, I have had to learn some very hard and expensive lessons over the few years I have taken to Pc's and other tech items. I now am over the top with getting as much info as I can {from people like yourselves} so as not to make mistakes in the future. and Taverman I do agree with the comments on the other thread you have been helping out with, you arre one great guy and I hope that if I need help in the future either you or someone of your kindness will be there to help me :0)
  Thanks again