Grandmother's New Computer

[RetailWorkhorse]

So my Grandmother has a new computer. She would like to save her old files (School related and pictures of my cousin's wedding) to her new computer and would like to know HOW.

Sadly, this new Shiny of hers does not have a floppy-drive (the HORROR!) so she can't use floopies.

Idiot question here, as I know already but she insists I ask anyways:

Can she borrow my Flash Drive (1gb) to transfer her files to her new computer? Does she HAVE TO HAVE the computer-to-computer cord (a serial port of some sort) to transfer her files?

Hit me back, y'all.

-RW

[Lord Ludicrous]

Do you mean a 1GB flash drive? You wont get far with 1mb :p

In answer to your question, it should be as simple as plugging in your flash drive, copying the files onto it, then plugging said drive into the new machine, and copying the files off the drive. What operating system does her old machine use? If shes got XP she'll be fine, but with ME and its predecessors she may need some drivers.

[sms001]

Can she borrow my Flash Drive (1mb) to transfer her files to her new computer? Does she HAVE TO HAVE the computer-to-computer cord (a serial port of some sort) to transfer her files?


A computer to computer link of some sort is not essential but is often advantageous.

If your flash drive works in her old machine, AND you don't have much to move then yes you can transfer that way.

There is the possibility that if your flash drive is USB 2.0 that her machine won't recognize it. Sometimes native drivers for the flash work for older machines, sometimes they don't.

I'll hold off on other suggestions until you know.

While you're reading and for other questions and tips:

What kind of load are we talking about here? Twenty letters and articles or ten years of accumulation? 10 megabytes or 10 gigabytes?

[RetailWorkhorse]

Do you mean a 1GB flash drive? You wont get far with 1mb :p

In answer to your question, it should be as simple as plugging in your flash drive, copying the files onto it, then plugging said drive into the new machine, and copying the files off the drive. What operating system does her old machine use? If shes got XP she'll be fine, but with ME and its predecessors she may need some drivers.

Ah ha, sorry, fixed that Flash drive load. :p

She had XP in both machines, and I've transfered files before, but waiting for the older computer to start is a major pain in the butt.

A computer to computer link of some sort is not essential but is often advantageous.

If your flash drive works in her old machine, AND you don't have much to move then yes you can transfer that way.

There is the possibility that if your flash drive is USB 2.0 that her machine won't recognize it. Sometimes native drivers for the flash work for older machines, sometimes they don't.

I'll hold off on other suggestions until you know.

While you're reading and for other questions and tips:

What kind of load are we talking about here? Twenty letters and articles or ten years of accumulation? 10 megabytes or 10 gigabytes?

She has a couple files that I'm not sure about size of (likely small, seeing as it's Childhood 1 and Childhood 2 from her schooling), and the photos of Cousin's wedding only filled one floppy-drive.

Thanks, you two. I just needed someone to point out that YES I CAN USE MY FLASH DRIVE.

She's not a big computer person, but she really is much happier with the speed of this one. :D

[Evil Queen]

You can also burn all the files onto a blank disc and transfer that way. That way she'll also have a hard copy backed up in case something bad happens to her knew computer.

...Why did Mimi get a new computer, anyways?? She doesn't even use her current one!

[Lord Ludicrous]

No problem :) I have to say though, that if its a lot of data (ie like 10GB), it may be worth networking both machines together as its a lot faster. At least on XP. Vistas networking performance is shameful.

[Broomjockey]

Vistas networking performance is shameful.

I'd like the opportunity to refute this unwarrented attack on an OS. Took well under an hour for me to transfer over 12 GB of data. I fail to see how that's shameful.

[crazylegs]

I'd like the opportunity to refute this unwarrented attack on an OS. Took well under an hour for me to transfer over 12 GB of data. I fail to see how that's shameful.

I'm dreading transfering my photos when I buy my new computer...

[Lord Ludicrous]

I'd like the opportunity to refute this unwarrented attack on an OS. Took well under an hour for me to transfer over 12 GB of data. I fail to see how that's shameful.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v211/rhubarbman/?action=view&current=longtransfer1.jpg

An extreme example I know. In the end I burnt the files to a DVD. With other stuff, its taken about 25 minutes to transfer a gig of data across the network. I should add there is nothing wrong with the network, and all XP machines have no problem. Nor does my desktop PC when its running XP. If I boot it into Vista, it along with my laptop (also running Vista) has the exact same problem. Just google 'vista slow network' and see how many results you get.

[Evil Queen]

That's Ludicrous speed!

Points if you get the reference! :D

[Gurndigarn]

If you have a wireless network, that should be fairly easy. And I would burn everthing to CD for backup purposes.

[sms001]

Thanks, you two. I just needed someone to point out that YES I CAN USE MY FLASH DRIVE.


You're welcome. "Sneaker-Net" away :)

Quickie Public Service Announcement -

PLEASE recycle the old machine!

Best case scenario being hand me down, then piecing out, then hazardous waste collection in your town.

Thanks.

[Broomjockey]

Just google 'vista slow network' and see how many results you get.

And yet, I haven't had that problem, and the comment wasn't relevant to the thread. RW already said both machines were XP, so a random attack on Vista was unwarranted. Back on topic.

[RetailWorkhorse]

You're welcome. "Sneaker-Net" away :)

Quickie Public Service Announcement -

PLEASE recycle the old machine!

Best case scenario being hand me down, then piecing out, then hazardous waste collection in your town.

Thanks.

I'm getting visions of (no, not Escaflowne!) the Snickers commercial with the Robin Hood stealing the other's dudes' snickers. :roll:

The old machine is bing given to my Aunt R and Uncle B. I kinda wanted to kidnap some pieces from it, but it's a GATEWAY and I have really REALLY bad luck with gateway components. Must be a Karma thing.

[Racket_Man]

That's Ludicrous speed!

Points if you get the reference! :D

it that anything like going plaid??????

Spaceballs rule jammed (rasberry) Mr rader and MR COFFEE

[Evil Queen]

it that anything like going plaid??????

Spaceballs rule jammed (raspberry) Mr rader and MR COFFEE

You rock! Have a cookie!

*hands over cookies*

"That's funny, she didn't look Druish."