[jess2omar]

Hi while I was reading the posts I realized maybe someone can help me with a little problem I have. As I said in a previous post I just bought my IMAC OS X 10.4.8 and use to have a windows PC. I'm not computer savvy at all so pardon my jargon :oops: but can I run my pc with my IMAC, for those who don't underdstand, I would like to run my other computer with my IMAC so that maybe I can print with my Dell AIO 924 printer??? Can this be done? What do I need to purchase to be able to do this??? If it's possible.

[KellieCM]

Hi there, and welcome to the forums!I am not sure what you mean by "run with". You want to operate your PC with your Mac? Can you elaborate on exactly the types of things you want to do?

[jess2omar]

Hi Kellie,Yes, I would like to operate my PC with the IMAC. Most of the information my kids have are on floppy discs, is one reason and my second maybe I could keep my printer?? As you can see I am not computer savvy at all but would like to know my options. Thanks for writing.

[jimt123]

Hi!I think what you mean is that you wish to transfer the data and files, including the information stored on the floppy disks, from your old PC to your new iMac. If this is true, the simplest (if not speediest! :-() method is to transfer the information from the floppy disks either directly to a USB flash drive device or to the hard drive of your old PC and then to a CD. If this seems beyond you, Google-search for "copy data from floppies to hard drive" or ask your kids how to burn a CD :lol: or see: http://www.ehow.com/how6102copy-file-floppy.htmlYou can then move the information to your new iMac by plugging in the flash drive to the rear bottom panel of the iMac or loading your new data backup CD into the Mac's CD drive.The Macintosh should recognize images/ quite easily... but it probably will not recognize PC data files. On the other hand, iLife may be able to import Word documents produced with Microsoft Works or Microsoft office... particularly if, before transferring from the PC to the Mac, the Word documents are saved or, re-saved as "Rich text documents" which is a "universal format" able to be read by most, if not all word processors. (.rtf instead of .doc or .wps) http://198.85.71.81/...richtext.htmlAs far as using your old printer -- you should be able to simply plug the USB cable from the printer into the bottom rear panel of your iMac. The iMac may immediately recognize the printer... if it does not, you can download the software from Dell directly at their web site... just make sure you get the version appropriate for Macintosh.Just noted your other post re printer incompatibility...so...see below...if you "dual boot" yor Mac, you can install the PC/XP version of the printer software into the "XP" part of your Mac..and it should work! It will be as if you have a PC running your printer- so if it worked with your old computer, it will work with the "dual boot".So far, not so bad? There are other options. If you purchased your Macintosh recently, chances are it is an "Intel-based" machine which means it's able to run Windows XP as well as the Mac operating system.Macintosh has made available two products that allow your Macintosh to run both operating systems. The first one, which is free, at least for now is called "boot camp" found here: http://www.apple.com...osx/bootcamp/It is a large download, so I hope you have cable or DSL if you choose to do this. You'll also need a copy of Windows XP (not a restore disk for your old PC, but a new windows XP or Win 2000 Pro disk). You could also buy Windows 2000 Pro at a used computer store for $50 or so and use that instead of XP. The instructions at the web site are pretty comprehensive. There is also a product called "Parallels Desktop for Mac" which also allows you to run the windows XP operating system in parallel with the Macintosh operating system. The major difference is that this software costs $80, but allows you to run both operating systems simultaneously -- in other words you can switch back and forth easily. Basically, anything that ran on your old PC should run on this kind of system.Web site for "parallels": (if the link does not work, simply go to the Macintosh web site and search for parallels or go to the Mac store and buy it) http://store.apple.c....7.11.0.3Bottom line -- you should be able to transfer everything from your old PC (if it has either a CD burner or USB ports). Depending on what you have to transfer, it might cost you nothing except the cost of a CD or USB flash drive. Otherwise, you can turn your new Mac into a sometime PC by installing the free "boot camp" software and purchasing a new copy of Windows... or make it even more flexible and install "Parallels".I hope this is what you wanted to do... otherwise, I don't know of any way to (easily!) remotely operate your old PC from your new Macintosh. If you really wish to do so, a specialized home network and/or "virtual private network" or VPN adapter/software is possible...http://www.wikihow.com/Control-Another-PC-Remotely... but, you say you are somewhat technologically challenged... so I would not recommend trying this.Good luck, Jim

[jimt123]

Addendum...As I said, if you have a lot of files to move, it can be a tedious process. On the Macintosh web site, there is a section called : Switch 101: Migrate Your Files at http://docs.info.app...num=304721(main site: http://www.apple.com...switch101/)They describe a "network style" transfer method using a network cable (standard ethernet cable like the kind that hooks up to your cable or DSL modem... if you don't have dial-up that is!) This is probably a more efficient process -- but it is more "techy" than simply copying information to a CD or flash drive and then to your new Mac... it's up to you, of course.The network cable is certainly a quicker method of transferring your files... if, that is indeed what you wish to do... still not clear if that's the case! There is also a commercial software product called Move2Mac http://www.detto.com...-transfer.htmlI don't know anything about it... but it looks okay.There is lots of good information at the Switch 101 site... about recognizing files, etc. like I spoke of in my first response to your post.Please respond, I'm curious if any of this has helped... or if I simply wasted some time! :-)best regards, Jim"Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits."

[KellieCM]

A wealth of useful information. I'm glad to have another Mac person on the forums!

[jess2omar]

Hi Jim,Thank you so much for the information. I will be looking into everthing you have said. And yes, you got it right this is what I needed. Although, the printer part is most important right now. Again, thanks so much. I will let you know what I finally ended up using.