My 15 GB HD on my eMachines is about full. I really need a bigger system. I’m just 256 RAM and 533 MHz.

A person told me to just put my data files (MIDIs, MP3s among other files) on a CD instead of purchasing those USB drives because the CD holds as much as the 512 USB drives. I also already have a bunch of CD's that were free after the rebate.

I've already burned 9 CDs and that is all of the MP3s on my system, and that also includes my complete files from BIAB.

I just put the MP3s in a folder and dragged the folder to Easy CD creator. I checked them by playing them in Windows Media from the burned CD, and the couple I tried had no problems.

Now I'll work on my MS Works and other miscellaneous files.
This is probably a stupid question, but is this way to go?

If the computer still does what you want it to do, then just store the files to CD, which BTW you should have been doing from day one, as if your hard disc failed you would loose everything.
Make sure you store the CDs upright and in there Jewel Cases, as contrary to what the manufactures would have you believe, they are not indestructible and also only have a life span of about 30 years. Another point is only use a CD Marker Pen if you wish to write on them, as the label side is the most fragile part of the disc. (Even a scratch will cause you to loose data, and you can’t polish the label to fix it)
Hope this helps.

Bill

The way I usually does it is:

Buy a bigger hard disk and install it as a master. The old drive as a slave. I don't have to copy anything to cd's, etc. Keep the old drive as a backup for the old files and only erase the unwanted files. Also, before copying the data file, make an image copy of your new drive (without the data) and store it in the slave drive(old drive) using ghost software.

The only risk is if you somehow dropped or somehow mess up the old drive in the process of installation.

Another way is if you have more than one computer is to copy it accross the network.

I usually do both to be safe.

I hate copying to cd's and this is how I get around doing it.

As long as you have USB ports, I would purchase an external hard drive. They come in all sizes all you need do is plug the drive into a USB port.(hopefully you have Windows XP it will make things a bit easier). Then transfer your files to the external drive. I have an 80 gigabyte external and I back up all my files from both my laptop and and desktop computer to the external.

I only have 98se edition. I tried a 512 jump drive and I couldn't get it to work. I might have trouble also trying an external hard drive to the USB also. My USB is the older one.

Don't you folks think I need to upgrade to a more modern system?
Thanks for all of the help,
Boo

Getting the cofig right on 98 SE can be a nuisance. Upgrading to a new PC is the way to go.

Boo upgrade to WIN XP pc's are very reasonable now.....

Jump drives normally come with an installation disc which is required to run them on Win 98, (Theoretically 98se solved the problem, but in practice anything before the Me Edition, requires the installation disc)
The same goes for an external hard disc, but I would recommend against this, as it will alter your drive letters, and as yours is an old USB connection it will be slow as well.
If you decide you want another computer, then make a list of what you want the computer to do, then get the best you can afford, if you go for a cheap one it will be out of date so fast, you might as well not have changed, whereas if you go for the best you can afford, you will have quite a few years use out of it.
Hope this helps.

Bill

Boo,

Do what I told you to do two years ago--buy a new Dell for $459. All the memory and resources you need are already installed. Just plug it in and go to work. If you want backup storage, buy a USB external hard drive--they're dirt cheap now, many under $100.

C'mon Boo, let loose of some of that brick layin' cash you have stashed under the mattress!

Cheers,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

Gary,
Office Depot had a HP 1GB Ram, 200GB HD, an Athlon 64 processor, a 9in1 reader, a 17" CRT, a printer and the lightscribe CD label technology for $569 week before last. This week they have an identical Compaq for $519.

I think for a Dell that would run in excess of $850, maybe $1000 and I would sitll have to buy an Epson CD label printer.

Am I missing something here? Are Dells really that superior to HP and Compaq? Help me out here.
Decisions, decisions.

Brick,

If you are strapped for money and can't get a new machine right now, go out and get a External USB Hard Disk. I got a 300 Gig Western Digital External for $150.00. I keep all my windows files on my C: drive and move all my other files to the external drive. The good thing is if I need to move my files to a new computer, I just unplug the drive and plug it into the other computer.

Try this one: http://www.buy.com/prod/Micronet_miniMat...html?adid=17662

Al

Al, good advice and external backup usb HD is a must....but can boo's win 98 se handle it well?

Boo,

My old laptop served me well for nearly four years, but about three weeks ago it bit the dust. Went out the same day and bought a Gateway MX-6128 with wide screen, lots of bells and whistles, then added another 512-gigs of memory which made it lightning fast. $749 at Circuit City before a $70 rebate. Everything's easy to read, bright screen, and I still have my Dell for a backup. The Dell was only used for a half-dozen jobs while I set this one up the way I wanted it.

Take that money from under the mattress, get the new computer and the mattress will be a lot more comfortable.

Good Luck,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

If you want to buy another computer, your task of copying files might be easier. No need to buy USB hard disk if you network your old pc and the new pc (you might have to buy cables, etc). Now, you have 2 pc's that are netowrked. Might as well took advantage of that old pc. Then just transfer the files over the network. I also use windows 98 se, so I know this works.

BTW, hard drives are cheap nowadays. At Fry's, one can buy large HD for $50 or under. But you have to know how to install the HD.

If this is too hard for you then maybe the USB drive is a good idea.

I also saw Emachines at Best Buy complete with monitor, printer for like $300. It's probably enough for most people. It's enough for me for many years. Computers go obsolete every 2 years anyway. Why buy expensive models. I always choose the cheap but good solution and it has worked well for me over the years.

It may help your decision.
Forget what name it says on the front of the computer, as Dell like most other manufactures just by in the parts and assemble the PC, and then stick their name on the front. (If you open up any computer and look closely at the parts, you will find there is virtually nothing that is made by the Manufacture whose name is on the front of the machine)
As I mentioned in my earlier post, buy the best you can afford, as it is a well proven fact that 87.3% of people who buy a cheap computer to save money, soon regret it.
Hope this helps.

Bill

Whoa, I didn't see in his post he was running Win 98 SE. I don't think that should be a problem getting the External HD working. But, I would highly recommend he upgrades to Windows XP immediately. 98 SE is no longer supported by Microsoft, it's buggy, and super slow.

Just upgrading to Windows XP will make the computer feel like brand new!!!

Al

Boo,
If the PC you are using now is just full of data, and that is the only reason you want to change it, stick with the burn-to-CD option, or better see if you can make an external hard drive work and buy that. You will also use it in any new compurt you buy.


if you need "more" in many areas, such as performance, upgradability , etc, I agree with Abacus in general, you just go out there and buy something that fits your budget, regardless what it says on the sticker.

Decide what exactly you need, like
"I want a 17" monitor" (TFT highly recommended)
"I want a DVD/RW recorder, or COMBO reader/recorder" (your 9 mp3 cd's are about 1 DVD full!!!)
"I want this printer"
"I want that soundcard"
etc etc

The fact is, that the lowest spec new PC you can find out there, will be MILES ahead of your current PC in terms of performance, hard disk space, and maybe expandability, so if the current machine is kind of satisfactory, the new one will blow your socks off!

Get info from the other friends here for recommendations, pay the cash and never look back. The more you wait, the more new things will come, the more pain you will get from the current system.

Theodore

The more I look at the Sample print on a CD at Office Depot done with the HP Lightscribe, the more I like it. So, I'm leaning towards the HP, Compaq line even though most of my friends her in town that help me with computer problems claim they don't care for HP or Compaq.

Why didn't I know that a DVD holds what it takes 9 CDs to hold? This is nice to know.

Are there portable players for DVDs like the small ones for CDs? Or is there another system for playing DVDs while moving about? I'm not really into keeping up with new technology unless it's absolutely necessary.

There are just so many hours in a day and I have two new hobbies. Sudoku and I go to the gym Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I highly recommend the gym. After 5 weeks or so I feel an improvement in strength and stamina. I hope I can keep it up. Other then music so far, it’s easy for me to get bored after a while with anything.

Thanks again so much for the suggestions and knowledge you friends supply.
Boo Hargis

Boo your biggest learning tol is right in front of you ...THE COMPUTER.....
you can just about learn vast amounts of information on all the questions you are asking and way beyond that with the touch of a keystroke on your PC........pictures, text, opinions, reviews, demos, on any topic or item available to mankind....you just have to take the time to find it, research, and make a sensible decision thats just RIGHT FOR YOU....!
its not Rocket Science

good luck

Boo:

You might consider buying an IPod or similar device with a HD built-in so you can store your stuff and take it with you, enabling you to listen to your songs anywhere you go.

I would have recommended the Dell DJ (which I own and really enjoy) but Michael has decided not to sell them anymore 'cause he just could not make a dent in IPod's marketshare. If you go that route, search a great deal before buying peripherals. Most of the IPod gizmos are way overpriced and don't function one bit better than less expensive stuff.

I am a computer nut and own about ten variations of machines including an Amiga, an old Mac, an IMac, a Toshiba laptop and several PC clones. I only risk one machine on the Internet and I don't keep my songs on that one. If only I could trade a few of them for a Tyros II!

All my best,

Dave Rice