computer question

[Brett Hartwig]

OK, maybe a stupid question. What type of disc do I need to save info to (word processing work mostly)? My new computer does not have a spot for a floppy disc to go so I guess they are making them without nowadays? I can save to a CD type disc though can't I? There are so many to choose from-- CD, DVD, CD-r, CD-rw, etc. WHich do I use? thank you

 

[Frank Marano]

CD-R if u just want to save once. CD-RW if you want to be able to save, then in the future erase and save again, and again....and again......etc

 

[Andy G]

If you have got a burner, you can save to a CDR. But you will need software to control the burner, and I would imagine your new system has got the software. But typically, it isn't as simple as "Drag and Drop"



Another thing you can do that is rather handy, if your computer has got USB ports in the front, you can go buy a small USB flash drive. When you plug it in, it is recognized as a regular drive by the machine.



I do most of my movement of data between home and work systems with flash drives. Easier than burning a disc, in my opinion.

 

[TomT]

I'm sure at the very least your computer has a cd burner. You can buy regular cd's (CD-R)really cheap (5-10 cents) or rewritable (CD-RW) for about 50 cents. you will also need a program like Nero to burn the cd. Your computer should have come with one.

 

[David Shindle]

It depends on what kind of optical drive you have in your computer. Most drives are labeled in the front. Otherwise you can go into the "my computer" section and right-click your optical drive and it will tell you if it is a CD-R, CD-R/RW, DVD-R, or DVD-R/RW. If you have either a CD-R/RW or a DVD-R/RW in your computer then you should buy the corresponding blank discs.



One thing, CD-R or DVD-R media can only save info once and it is permanent. If you buy CD-RW or DVD-RW discs then you can save, erase, write, delete and do everything else you normally would on a floppy disk or hard drive. The CD-RW and DVD-RW disks only work this way with a drive that is CD-RW or DVD-RW compatible.



Hope this helps a little...

 

[Brett Hartwig]

Q- I do homework for a college course and my wife is working on labels for christmas cards. Before, I could put a floppy in, click save, and save the work to the disc. If I only save it to the hard drive, won't it be lost if my computer crashes? I thought I could just put in a CD type disc, click save and it would be saved to it. I just tried to save something to a CD-R disc and the computer says it can't read the disc. Does it have to be a CD-rw?

 

[Deleted deleted]

Go with Andy's recommendation. Buy a USB flash drive... a 512mb one costs around $35 and will store almost as much as a CD-R.

 

[Andy G]

I just tried to save something to a CD-R disc and the computer says it can't read the disc

You cannot save the file to the disc like you save to a floppy. You need to save it to the harddrive first, then go to your CD burning software, locate the file on the harddrive, and burn a copy of the file to the disc using the burning software.



Your computer will say "Cannot read disc" if you put a blank CDR in the drive.

 

[David Shindle]

If you are running windows XP (or even windows 2000, I think) you can save the file to your hard drive and still drag and drop it into your writeable/re-writeable drive using windows software, as long as the drive isn't locked by a third-party software.



In my experience though, Windows software isn't great compared to some third-party stuff out there. If you have to buy you should buy Nero's software (by Ahead, I believe).

 

[Brett Hartwig]

are they making computers without the floppy disc option now? also, the usb flash drive... would I just plug that into the front of the computer in the usp port and click save? or do I have to burn it there or what? I told you I was computer illiterate.

 

[Kevin Palmer]

Or,,,, if you are absolutely sold on using traditional ol floppy disks then try this option.



It is an external floppy drive powered off your USB...



(The Flash Dive is the way to go. I bought a 1 gig drive for $59.00 at Circuit City).



[Broken External Image]:



These are all over Ebay. Just search for "USB Floppy Drive".



And here is a Flash Drive if your not familiar with them,

 

[Ben Poche]

usb memory stick

 

[Andy G]

No, you do not have to burn to a flash drive. When you plug it in, your computer will recognize it as another regular drive, and you can simply save to it just like a floppy.

 

[Kevin Palmer]

As mentioned above, once you insert the flash drive / memory stick simply double click the "My Computer" icon. You will have your normal drives listed. Normally C and D. You will also see another dive listed. It may be the next letter or sometimes it jumps up a few letters depending on the manufacturer.



This new drive (External Drive) will be available from your various programs, like Word and Excel for example....

 

[Frank Marano]

Freeport......I have a 256mb USB 2.0 stick I can send you for free if you email me your address. I bought it and never use it. I will even pay shipping. It should be fine for documents, i had about 40-60 mp3's on it.



You dont catch deals like this everyday, lol



PS. Email me in the addy provided in my profile

 

[Kevin Palmer]

Freeport, that is a good deal and you have a genuine use for it....

 

[Brett Hartwig]

great thanks everybody. This all makes it very clear for me. I appreciate the help even thought it has nothing to do with ST's like the site is meant for. I always know, though, that any question I have will get at least a few replies. It is a nice resource to have. have a good day!