Genealogy Chat

Hi all,

I am sure by now that you know I am not very 'technical' on Computers.

Just before Christmas, my husband thought he would be 'kind' and buy me a new computer (as I spend more time with 'it' than I do with him!!)

Anyway, what he thought was a step up was in fact a step back - He 'Upgraded' me !!(I choose my words VERY carefully!!) from XP (I DO SO miss it!!) to the dreaded VISTA !!

I have had a lot of trouble with this and today I spoke to the Computer people (Hewlett Packard) who were very helpful but they are ringing me back on Monday to do a 'BIOS Update' !!!???? - I don't need to know what that is as I won't understand but what I do know is that it may wipe out all the info I have on my hard drive.

They have said I have to do a back up of all files and directories first and said I would need an 'external Memory Drive' to do this.

MY QUESTION IS: - What is a good, basic one to buy? - How does it work, and what is the easiest and quickest way to get all my info onto there so I don't lose it please.

This is a very complicated question to me but I have a feeling that it is a very simple procedure to a lot of people out there.

Can anyone advise please? - Idiot proof instructions required. (PLEASE bear in mind that the system I have is Vista - It has a logic all of it's own and doesn't work like any of the previous systems!)

Many thanks,

Dea x

I bought one from PC world online 2 weeks ago. Maxtor 160 gb.

Have a look at their site.

Sue

Thanks for the replies.

The 'man from HP' told me I shouldn't use disks - I don't know why but that is what he advised.

So, - He said 'flash sticks'??? or external drive.

The external drive sounds 'favourite' - I don't understand the 'gb' bit so I don't know if I need a 40 or a 160 like the one Sue mentions ? Are they very expensive and, more importantly - are theyeasy to use??

I am sure it will make sense to someone (re: the gb size?) - I have only had my new computer since December - I have lots of e-mails on there and quite a few photos but not many documents, and of course, my FTM, as, being Vista it would not let me transfer all my documents from the old machine

Dea x

Thank you SO much Maureen - that I understand !!

So - 40 gb should be more than enough them - I presume the photo's take up more space and the e-mails and word documents and FTM are quite small?

The 'man' did say to back up 'directories' first, then files. - I am sorry to sound really thick but could anyone tell me simply what this means please?

Thanks,

Dea x

P.S. - I do really feel quite inadequate here - I am quite expert on many things but when it comes to computers I just really do not know the language! - SSSoooo frustrating!

I do appreciate your help.

Dea x

I got mine from aldi 4gb or whatever is really good back up all my tree stuff to it ;;

Babs

Thanks all,,

I think I will 'sleep on it' and go to the 'Computer shop' tomorrow.

Dea x

Dea, the directories are the folders that the files are held in. ie Family tree files would be stored in the FTW directory.
As far as I am aware, the Bios is stored in a programmable chip called an EPROM, this SHOULD not affect the data stored on your computer hard drive unless something goes wrong and you cannot reboot to access the drive.

If you have original copies/disks of the programmes installed on your drive, you should be able to back up the data you have on there ie photos, family tree etc. That being the case, a USB memory stick should be sufficient to store the data.

I have a very old computer. Dont ask me how old, it was a restored one, from a shop which collects old computers from firms which have upgraded, and it then does 'whatever' and sells the computers cheaply to people like me.
I dont think I can burn discs, so how would I back up on disc, or would I also need to buy an external drive or memory stick?
Huia.

Thank you all for your advise!

Husband has gone OTT again and bought me an 'external Memory Drive thingy' - 269 MG !!!!!!!!!!!! - Even more than my computer holds.

Anyway - easy peasy - I have done a back-up of the whole computer (took half an hour), then a back up of all my files and documents (about 2 minutes).

AND I have to add - I take back most of what I said about the 'dreaded' Vista.

If anyone is on this - I downloaded a 'Service Pack 1' this morning - It took 2 hours but Vista now works!!!!!!!!!! - It was SSooo slow and really awful before but now it is so quick it is making me nervous to click the mouse as things just jump up on my screen and hit me in the face.

I was going to 'downgrade' back to XP but now 'I can see the light at the end of the tunnell'

Many thanks all for your help.

Dea x