1TB External Drive very slow, can't play movies.

[aviator1295]

I have a 1TB Toshiba external.It loads very slow and can't open/play files. I'm not really a tech guy, in my case, don't even know how to properly scan the external, let alone do proper back up. I really need some help here.

 

[aviator1295]

Is this drive filled with files and folders? A full drive could work really slowly. Just delete or remove some useless or unnecessary files and folders to make it functionally.
Is it virus-infected? The virus-infected drive also could have some strange problems. Just start your installed antivirus tool and check whether there are dangerous viruses.
Hope my words can give you some clues.

The only files I have are musics and a LOT of movies. It might be virus infected because I often copy movie files here and there. Any suggestions on anti virus tools?

 

[whatever61]

By your descriptions is not even clear what are you asking. How to make backup or how to solve the slowness?
Besides that, the description of your problem is missing so many details that it's hard for anyone to help you.

What loads very slow? the movie or the hard drive itself? You say you can't open it, so can you open it and it's slow or you cannot open it at all?
How is it plugged (USB or by network) and to what (PC, tablet) and how are you accessing it?
Is it a "2.5 or "3.5 drive (works with or without electricity)?
What software are you using to play the movie?
Did you try to simply copy the file from the external hard disk to your PC, is it slow then? What is the speed (Kb/sec)?

Let's start with that at least..