[Adama]

Hello Everyone,

My best friend has been using a Dell laptop with XP and she has a lot of documents (her writings, her new business, etc.) that she wants to copy to a CD.

She's thinking about buying a new laptop, and I know it will come with Vista Home Premium.

I'm trying to help her out, so my question to you is:

Will she be able to use that CD on her new computer?

Will she be able to access her documents in her new computer, even though they were created on an XP computer?

[smax013]

Adama said:

Hello Everyone,

My best friend has been using a Dell laptop with XP and she has a lot of documents (her writings, her new business, etc.) that she wants to copy to a CD.


She's thinking about buying a new laptop, and I know it will come with Vista Home Premium.


I'm trying to help her out, so my question to you is:


Will she be able to use that CD on her new computer?


Will she be able to access her documents in her new computer, even though they were created on an XP computer?

Depends on how you create the CD and what type of CD.



CD-Rs should be useable on ANY computer, including a Mac. Same with DVD/-Rs, assuming they have the appropriate drive (i.e. if you make a DVD-R, you need a drive that can READ a DVD-R NOT a DVDR...unless it can read both, which is most DVD drives these days).



It is a different story for CD-RW (and DVD+/-RW) disks. If you create the CD-RW using Windows built in burning functions, then it should work (never tested it, but it should). If you use a third party program (such a Nero or Roxio), then you need to have the SAME third party software on the new computer...and it might need to be the same or newer version of the software.

[Flashorn]

Hey smax!!



Now, CD or DVD compatibility aside, wouldn't the type of file or extension be more of a concern.

Say you back-up files or documents using Word 2003. Would you be able to read those files or

documents in Word 2007.



FLASHORN. !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
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[smax013]

Flashorn said:

Hey smax!!





Now, CD or DVD compatibility aside, wouldn't the type of file or extension be more of a concern.


Say you back-up files or documents using Word 2003. Would you be able to read those files or


documents in Word 2007.






FLASHORN. !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/

1!
>
[/quote]
File compatibility is concern for ANY way you move files from one computer to another...whether CD/DVD, external hard drive, flash thumb drive, network, sneaknet (aka floppy disk), etc. You obviously need to have a program that is capable of reading the files on the new computer...otherwise getting them on the new computer does nothing more than just fill up hard drive space.



In regards to your specific example, Word 2007 will ZERO problem reading a Word 2003 (or 2002, 2000, 97 or maybe even earlier) document...unless your installation of Word 2007 is not installed properly and has a "glich". Going the OTHER direction is a little more problematic...Word 2007 using a new format that older versions by default do not read...but Microsoft does have a patch/converter for some of the older versions (at least 2003 and 2002 I believe) that allows them to read the new .docx format of Word 2007. Of course, Word 2007 can also save it to the older format...but you have to REMEMBER to do that as it is NOT the default.

[rgreen4]

If you finalize the CD-RW, it should be able to be read on any CD ROM/Burner. The problem is not with XP and Vista, but the device that did the burning and the device that does the reading. At best, they are about 99% compatible across all the lines with RW media. It would be best to use CD-R as Smax said. Finalizing an RW media almost turns it into a CD-R.

This would be a great time for her to consider an external USB drive to do backups with. Then she could back up all her files to the external drive, then copy them down to the new machine and have a backup copy. I have done that, creating a folder with the date and then simply copying (copy/paste) at the folder level. The next time I create another folder by date and again copy all the files to the new folder. This way I not only have several backups, but different versions of the same file. If you mess up a file, you are able to go back several months to a prior version.

Newegg has 160GB WD passport in various colors for $88 including delivery.

But the CD is the least expensive method.

[smax013]

rgreen4 said:

If you finalize the CD-RW, it should be able to be read on any CD ROM/Burner. The problem is not with XP and Vista, but the device that did the burning and the device that does the reading. At best, they are about 99% compatible across all the lines with RW media. It would be best to use CD-R as Smax said. Finalizing an RW media almost turns it into a CD-R.

That is why I said it depends on how you create the disk. If you use the InCD portion of Nero (or the similar program for Roxio), then there is no "finalization" from what I recall as it basically lets you use a CD-RW (or DVD+/-RW) like a big floppy disk...you add, over-write, delete, etc files just like it was a hard drive or floppy disk. But, to do that, you HAVE to have InCD installed and running.



Now, the built-in Windows burning function might have some sort of finalize function (don't really use it for CD-RWs).

rgreen4 said:

But the CD is the least expensive method.

It might be least expensive from a pure dollars and cents point of view, but if you have a LOT of files, then it can be "expensive" in a time and hassle point of view. Burning and then reading in the new computer all the CDs needed to transfer 20 GB of data would be a real pain in the ass. If you only have a disk or two, then it is not so bad.

[rgreen4]

I now have two 750GB drives that I use for backups. I alternate and can get 3-4 backups on each. This is just the data, off the NDAS.

[rtfire1]

if she is getting a new laptop the best way to go if she can spare the money I think is with a go drive it takes the power from the usb port. as far as cd's/dvd's go I have not had any issues with Nero as long as I burn the files to disk as data. I use my disk full of files and back ups all the time on pcs with out nero. some cheap desk tops with cheap cd/dvd readers/players I am told do have issues but I have not had any yet.

[smax013]

rtfire1 said:

if she is getting a new laptop the best way to go if she can spare the money I think is with a go drive it takes the power from the usb port. as far as cd's/dvd's go I have not had any issues with Nero as long as I burn the files to disk as data. I use my disk full of files and back ups all the time on pcs with out nero. some cheap desk tops with cheap cd/dvd readers/players I am told do have issues but I have not had any yet.

It would be a different story if you were using InCD portion with RW media. If you use the main Burning ROM program of Nero (or whatever they call it now), then you are essentially treating a RW disk like an R disk...and it should work on any computer, by and large.

[Adama]

You guys are giving me a lot of good ideas. Keep 'em coming! :D

[Flashorn]

Hey Adama!!



Your friend could also use a Flash Drive ( USB Key , Thumb Drive ) in a 4 Gig or 8 Gig capacity, if she /he is to

simply transfer files from one notebook to another. One more possibility ( I use this one often ) would be to

use a "Double Layer DVD" . With this option you have the ability to back-up 8.3 Gigs of data (and that's ALLOT of data).

The nice thing about this method is that ,unless you loose the DVDs, you always have the data at hand

with ought the fear of it being corrupted.Most CD-DVD read-recorder devices that come with modern notebooks

or PCs today have these devices as part of the whole package.



FLASHORN. !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1!

[rgreen4]

Does she plan to use both laptops? If she is, then she may want to set up a small home network and have a central file storage area. Then she can access the files from either machine. That may bust her budget though, as the good ones are not inexpensive, but I would not want to be without mine.

[Adama]

Hi Flashorn,

The thing is that she's not too computer savvy, and I just want to help her make the transition as easy as possible.

The whole USB stick thing concept kind of scapes me too, as I don't use them because I don't really understand them.

[Adama]

rgreen4 said:

Does she plan to use both laptops? If she is, then she may want to set up a small home network and have a central file storage area. Then she can access the files from either machine. That may bust her budget though, as the good ones are not inexpensive, but I would not want to be without mine.

Hi RGreen,

No, that Dell laptop she's been using belongs to another person and she has to give it back, that's why we started talking about copying her stuff to a CD. So a home network is definitely out of the question.

When she gets her new laptop, she'll have the CD (or DVD.) It may be that the best course of action would be for her to copy her stuff to a USB stick, which a lot of people are using these days.

[lilxkid24]

one simple answer- yes

I find usb is way way easier. you dont need to use a program to burn the documents into a disk but instead for a flashdrive all you do is drag it in. Take out the flashdrive put it in new comp, drag it wherever you want. I dont see hows that confusing its much easier than using a cd

[Adama]

lilxkid24 said:

one simple answer- yes

I find usb is way way easier. you dont need to use a program to burn the documents into a disk but instead for a flashdrive all you do is drag it in. Take out the flashdrive put it in new comp, drag it wherever you want. I dont see hows that confusing its much easier than using a cd

LOL You crack me up, Kid! :^0

Flashdrive, that's the word I was looking for.... Thanks for reminding me.

OK, so you say it's easy as pie... However, will the fact that the flashdrive was made on a different OS conflict with the new Vista OS?

And, it's not that I'm confused, it's the fact that she knows less about computers than I do, and I just trying to help her make the transition as easy as possible. That's why I turned to my techie friends here at PCW. :x

[smax013]

I would agree that some sort of external drive (external USB drive, portable bus powered USB drive, or a USB flash drive) is like the best choice. Which is rather a function of how much you want to spend and what you might want to use it for after the intial use.



A typical external USB drive is likely the best "bang for the buck" and lowest price per GB. You could get a sizable drive and then use it for backup purposes AFTER the initial file transfer. The downside of this type of drive is that it is not as portable as the other options and needs a power plug. But, if it will only be used at home as a back drive, then that does not matter.



A bus power portable USB drive is like the standard USB drive except that it is smaller and gets power from the USB port. The downside is that you will pay more per GB than a standard USB drive. It should also be noted that some drives will require the use of two USB ports with some computers to get enough power. On the plus side, they are rather portable and don't need to be plugged into the wall. Thus, if you need portable additional storage or want to take your backup drive with you, then they work great.



A USB flash drive will be the most expensive in terms of dollars per GB, but likely will be cheaper than the previous two options...mainly because their capacities are not that large compared to a USB hard drive. They are VERY portable (they are about the size of a pack of gum) and don't require external power. Unless you have a very limited amount of data, you will likely NOT be able to use it as a backup device and using to transfer files could take multiple trips if you have enough data. But, there are a VERY good device for portable data.



If you don't have a backup system, then I would likely recommend a standard external powered USB drive first and a bus powered USB drive as the second choice (mainly if you want to take your backup drive with you). Once you transfer the files, then you can use the USB drive as a backup drive.

[Flashorn]

Hey Adama!!



A USB key or thumb drive come in a variety of styles and sizes. From 512kb all the way up to 40 GB.

They plug in to a usb port on the side of your notebook . A normal amount of usb ports on a notebook

is 3 or 4.Here is what they would look like

!http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1!

Ok, this one looks more like a hard disk and has a capacity 40 Gigabytes

The next one will be a 4 Gig capacity:

!http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1!

Now I will show you the inside of one :

!http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1!

The metal part at the top goes in one of the notebook's usb port.

The blue part is the casing that holds the electronics and the memory chip.

The silver part is the outer casing protecting the whole.



You simply have to insert the metal connector in the usb port on the side of the notebook.

once inserted , you should her a sound coming from the notebook, acknowledging the fact

that Windows has recognized the extra hardware (usb key, thumb drive).



There "should" be a window that opens (file folder) . At the top it should say :

!http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1!

If you do not have a window that opens then you will access it by going to:

Start , Computer this what you should see:

!http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1!

This is MY computer folder. Yours might not have "Recovery" drive.

But as you can clearly see, the (F:) is the Removable Disk.

Yours might be the (E:) because all of the letters are pushed back if you don't

haver the recovery disk. Now , we will double click on the (F:) disk or E in your case

This will bring up the Removable Disk's Folder"

!http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1!

This is what I have on a usb key. Inside this folder I have I have a copy of a new folder ,

A G-Force screen shot and a logo.

All you now have to do is open the folder with the information to "Drag and Drop" in this

folder. You can also "Copy and Past" from one folder to this one.



Adama I will make another post to finish. I don't know how much info . one post can contain.

[smax013]

Flashorn said:

Hey Adama!!





A USB key or thumb drive come in a variety of styles and sizes. From 512kb all the way up to 40 GB.


They plug in to a usb port on the side of your notebook . A normal amount of usb ports on a notebook


is 3 or 4.Here is what they would look like


!http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/

1!
>

Ok, this one looks more like a hard disk and has a capacity 40 Gigabytes


The next one will be a 4 Gig capacity:


!http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
[/quote]
1!
>

Now I will show you the inside of one :


!http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
[/quote]
1!
>

The metal part at the top goes in one of the notebook's usb port.


The blue part is the casing that holds the electronics and the memory chip.


The silver part is the outer casing protecting the whole.






You simply have to insert the metal connector in the usb port on the side of the notebook.


once inserted , you should her a sound coming from the notebook, acknowledging the fact


that Windows has recognized the extra hardware (usb key, thumb drive).






There "should" be a window that opens (file folder) . At the top it should say :


!http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
[/quote]
1!
>

If you do not have a window that opens then you will access it by going to:


Start , Computer this what you should see:


!http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
[/quote]
1!
>

This is MY computer folder. Yours might not have "Recovery" drive.


But as you can clearly see, the (F:) is the Removable Disk.


Yours might be the (E:) because all of the letters are pushed back if you don't


haver the recovery disk. Now , we will double click on the (F:) disk or E in your case


This will bring up the Removable Disk's Folder"


!http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
[/quote]
1!
>

This is what I have on a usb key. Inside this folder I have I have a copy of a new folder ,


A G-Force screen shot and a logo.


All you now have to do is open the folder with the information to "Drag and Drop" in this


folder. You can also "Copy and Past" from one folder to this one.






Adama I will make another post to finish. I don't know how much info . one post can contain.

[/quote]
The first would NOT be considered a USB flash or thumb drive. It is a bus powered USB hard drive. It actually uses a hard drive mechanism...a 1.8 inch hard drive...same form factor drive that hard drive based MP3 players use (such as the iPod Classic and the original Zune). There are also ones that use 2.5 inch hard drives (same size drives that most laptops use) and they can get up to 320 GB in capacity (I believe that is the current limit, but they are close to doing 500 GB if they don't already have them). USB flash/thumb drives are solid state eletronic drives (no moving parts) and I believe they top out at 32 GB these days...and will just about ALWAYS look like the second drive shown.

[lilxkid24]

most flashdrives are compat with vista. I have about 4 different flashdrive and they all work with vista fine. I saw a 4gig one the other day at frys for $10 it was on sale or something too bad they were out of stock or i would have bought it fashoo