Bite the bullet - i need to buy a new computer

[rapmarks Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close rapmarks]

Advice appreciated.
I use my computer for email, message boards, some shopping, photos, Itunes, Turbo Tax, etc.
Should I order online thru Dell, should I purchase in store, what should i get,

My biggest concern is losing all the stuff I have on this computer - I bought new flash drives, my computer is not reading them so I can't download. My husband has over 5000 photos on this computer that may be lost. I sure don't want to start this years (6) tax returns on this computer. Once I am online I am find, but it isn't reading disks, sometimes internet explorer won't come up, sometimes Itunes, sometimes cds in the disk drive.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Me too. My concern is the same as your concern, but the assembled rabble here says don't worry!!!

As you have found out, worry is not out of line.

Oh yeah, we'all had a great time yesterday . . . and I'll let Ron beat me next week. I hate to tie the Club Champ!!!

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

Keep an eye on: DealCatcher: Free Online Coupons Amazon, Dell, Old Navy, Overstock
Though you really don't need hi end stuff- it's better to always have better and bigger than what you need because times change. I remember my custom built computer in 1998 where the tech guy said I wouldn't need more than a 6 GB hard disc. 12 years later and you have to look real hard to find a new desktop with under 100 GB.

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

I recommend buying on-line from Dell's Small Business division. I had my own business as an independent Computer Software design consultant. I am now retired. I currently have 5 computers in which 2 are Dell Laptops, 2 are Dell desktops, and 1 is a laptop that I built. I had an HP laptop that I threw away because it never worked properly. I have owned Dell's and used them at client's sites for years and never had any problems. My computers get very heavy use even since I retired. I don't use them anymore for software development but use them heavily for much the same things you mentioned.

There are various ways to transfer data between computers. One way that I frequently use is file sharing over a LAN. That is the easiest if you setup a LAN.

Anybody can purchase computers from Dell's Small Business Division. You do not have to have a business to do so. The Small Business Division has a better line of computers and better customer service located in the US and not India.

Here is a link to the Small Business Division.

computers, electronics, and technology solutions & services for business. | Dell

Prices change almost on a daily basis so I suggest monitoring it for awhile and jump on the best deal. When you see a good deal, don't hesitate as it may be gone the next day. I bought 2 Dell Laptops last year and saved a lot, mainly from the free upgrades.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Best deals and coupons is at Daily Hot Black Friday Like Online Deals, Latest Coupon Codes, Best Offers & Discounts at eDealinfo.com , You are buying direct from Dell or HP or what other company's they have listed. The deals with there links can save you hundreds of dollars.

[Nancy Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Nancy]

I've had good luck with HP and previously Compaq. We all have laptops and have found good deals at Staples or Office Depot. It might be worth your money to go someplace that will help you set up and copy your files for you.

Nancy

[rapmarks Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close rapmarks]

okay, whta's a LAN?

[desertgal Member Find all posts View Profile Close desertgal]

Before doing anything else, I suggest that you back up your precious photos ASAP! You can put them on another computer, an external hard drive or flash drives, or an online service. I transferred mine via flash drive to my husband's computer (it took a few trips, since I also had a lot of photos). But if you can do it via LAN (local area network, which you can do with a router), that's even easier. I wouldn't trust a store to do this for you, even if they say they will.

If your computer is less than 2-3 year old and has at least 2 MB of RAM, I suggest wiping it clean and reinstalling Windows yourself, it isn't very difficult and will save you some money. But be sure all your files are backed up first! Two backups are even better.

I wonder why your flash drives aren't working. Have you tried contacting the manufacturer to ask for help? Or searching for possible solutions online? I know it takes time, but if you can get them working you'd have your backup solution (if they're big enough).

We bought our last two laptops from Best Buy, as they have great prices and a rewards program. And our experience with their service has been good. The lower-end HP and Compaq laptops seem fine, no need for anything fancy.

Good luck.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

deleted

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

okay, whta's a LAN?

A LAN is a local area network that connects your local computers together through a router or switch. If you don't have a router, you can buy a wired one for less than $20.00. There are wizards supplied by Dell or Windows to set up the LAN. It is really pretty easy.

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

...I bought new flash drives, my computer is not reading them so I can't download...

How old is your computer? It could be that your USB ports do not support them. I have that problem with one of my desktops which is 7 years old. There is no fix for it.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

How old is your computer? It could be that your USB ports do not support them. I have that problem with one of my desktops which is 7 years old. There is no fix for it.

This is exactly what we have been talking about here today. Do you think you could use a flash drive to transfer files from a WIN95 PC to a new laptop (yet to be bought), probably WIN7?

[bnoble Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bnoble]

I just moved my WinXP machine into a VMware image, and am now running it as a "virtual machine" inside my new iMac. It was not for the faint of heart---it took a couple of attempts. In particular, the migration tool vmware tells you to use did not like my home wireless networking setup (it would get partway and then hang) and I had to do a standalone conversion.

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

This is exactly what we have been talking about here today. Do you think you could use a flash drive to transfer files from a WIN95 PC to a new laptop (yet to be bought), probably WIN7?

This is a hardware issue and NOT software. The Operating System makes no difference as long as they both use the same file format. I am not familiar yet with Windows 7 but I imagine they haven't changed the file format.

It is reasonable to assume that the hardware on any PC running WIN95 will be too old to support the flash drives.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

This is a hardware issue and NOT software. The Operating System makes no difference as long as they both use the same file format. I am not familiar yet with Windows 7 but I imagine they haven't changed the file format.

It is reasonable to assume that the hardware on any PC running WIN95 will be too old to support the flash drives.

Okey dokey.

So how would you go about transferring stuff from Ole POC WIN 95 to a new laptop?