Can I avoid a transfer to Dell fankle ?

[Lorna Allison]

Hi - calling all boffins!

My 3 USB ports have ceased to function. The death was initially gradual then a sudden quick extinction. I can't live without printing down records and anyway I LIKE BITS OF PAPER

Have more or less decided to go DELL 1501 laptop with Vista (the only thing they do now), with their photoprinter/ scanner 926 and a simple photo package. I explained to the polite lady that I had no functioning USB ports, as she seemed to be talking about USB linking for transfer of files (or did I get that wrong?). Anyway, when I explained how absolutely vital it was for me to transfer an FTM genealogy package accurately she hummed and haaed, sought advice, then said they would include a "special" CD which I should download onto and use to transfer to the new Dell. Naturally, that will cost an additional £43!

I have my FTM programme disc for the Dell. Can I risk using a normal CD to transfer my files is my question? A side issue is, will 80GB and 1024 memory be ok for a life of about 5 years? I am not big on great manipulations or huge photo libraries. Just straight forward, fairly simple genealogy and domestic norm.

Would really appreciate an informed opinion - even if the thought is that DELL is not the best.

Thanks for listening

Lorna

Lorna

[AnnieMack]

Hi, I don't know what this new cd thing is they are offering you but seems to me a lot of money if it is what I think it is. If you have the software for your FTM then what you need to capture onto a cd is the file which has all your info. It would be unusual for this to be too big to fit on a regular cd, but if it is you can always use the internet to email it to yourself and pick it back up when you are ready.

The laptop itself will be fine for a considerable length of time, Dell are as good as any other as realistically the components in any computer are basically the same - made by lots of different companies and put together in a suppliers 'case'. It looks like a good piece of kit.

Personally I think the £43 special cd is not required.

Annie...oh just out of curiosity, where do you live Lorna?

[nelmit]

Hello Lorna,

If you have a CD burner on your old machine I don't see why you couldn't download your files to a CD and then upload them to your new machine.

As for the spec I think it sounds fine for what you want to use it for.

Kind regards,
Annette M

[Lorna Allison]

Thanks so much Annie and Annette

That is just all I needed to make the executive decision - save £43.

I have got a CD burner and that is clearly the way to go. What a great site this is How many times do you see that in posts - I wish it was enough to make Moderators and Administrators stay on

Yes Annie, I am local to you. 3 miles out of Comrie to be precise!

Thanks again

Lorna

[emanday]

Hi Lorna,

Providing you aren't planning on saving a lot of image files, an 80GB HD should be sufficient. Having said that, how often do you buy a new PC/Laptop?

My current, 18 month old, lappy has only 30GB and is really beginning to feel the strain! I had no choice on that HD size as it was an insurance replacement after my REALLY old one dropped onto my stone tiled on concrete kitchen floor . (They don't bounce you know ) My 6 month old desktop has a massive 350GB HD and is coping very nicely.

Might I suggest, before deciding on the HD size to order, check today's cost of upgrading to a larger than 80GB HD. You might find that it would be far more economic to go for a 160GB HD now, than have to pay a lot more later! That's why I opted for such a huge HD on my new PC. If I'd gone for the one half the capacity it would have cost me, at today's prices, almost three times as much to buy a new 350GB HD later.

5 years is a very long time in computing. It's not just what you want to use the PC for that you have to consider. Standard updates to your existing software could increase the amount of space they use quite a lot.

As to Dell? Like any of their competitors, Dell have their critics as well. I can only tell you that they seem to have a lot fewer than most. That is NOT a recommendation, simply an observation!

Don't base your decision on what you think you will need now. Think what you might need in 3 years, double that, then add 20%. That's the advice I got from a fellow consultant many years ago and it has served me well over the years.

On transferring files - does your CD writer work OK? If so, simply copy your FTM, etc... files onto CD. Make a note of all your licence numbers for your software, usually to be found in the Help, About button on most of these. Emailing yourself these files is also a great idea, but do remember NOT to re-open your email programme before "catching" them on your new PC.

Lastly, if you are going to have the old one still with you when the new one arrives, and you are using broadband with a router, consider doing a data transfer. That's a bit too much to go into right now, but can be explained to you when the time comes.

[Lorna Allison]

AHA

More food for thought, no spoiling the ship for a ha'porth of tar. Well, at least I will save on the "special CD". Yes, I will give that thought overnight.

Could you conceivably mean that you might be available for assistance to a recognised numpty when the great day arrives Mary, or am I reading too much into your last para?

Lorna

[emanday]

Anything I can do to help.

I've PM'd you

[AnnieMack]

Morning! The reason I asked where you are Lorna is basically similar to what Mary has mentioned - data transfer. I could always pop over when the new one arrives as it is easier to do than talk through linking the two machines together to transfer the info.

Let me know!

Annie

[emanday]

Hi Lorna,

If you are close enough for Annie to do that for you, it would certainly be far better.

Hi Annie,

That's a very generous offer. Being there just has to be the better option.

[Lorna Allison]

Hi Annie and Mary

Yes, I agree, those are absolutely spankingly generous offers, and it would be great to have a "buddy" in situ.

I have sent you a PM Annie.

Thank you both so very much.

Regards

Lorna