In Case You've Wondered

My blog is where my wandering thoughts are interspersed with stuff I made up. So, if while reading you find yourself confused about the context, don't feel alone. I get confused, too.

If you're here for the stories, I started another blog: scratchingforchange.blogspot.com

One other thing: sometimes I write words you refuse to use in front of children, or polite company, unless you have a flat tire, or hit your thumb with a hammer.

I don't use them to offend; I use them to embellish.

jescordwaineratgmail.com

Monday, February 28, 2022

New Computer and Some Questions

My laptop is having problems, needs a new battery, the ten keys stopped working, and is warning me that it's time for a new one. I purchased a new laptop with Windows 11, want to transfer everything I can from the old Windows 10 machine to the new machine, and being the cheapskate I am, want to do so at no cost, or at a minimal cost.

Any experts, or suggestions?

8 comments:

  1. When I bought a Mac, I just ran a Cat 5 network cable from my old Windows laptop to the Mac, and the laptop's hard drive appeared as a drive on the Mac and I just drug and dropped the files I wanted into the Mac. Might give that a shot.

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    1. I plan to use a network cable. From what I read, the 11 version will download the preferences, and the files. What I really want are some of my applications, which may not transfer.

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  2. Not an expert- but....
    When my 'puter was going out I copied all my pics to CD.
    Then when I tried reading them to the new on...........nothing happened.
    So I sent them to my email with my email.
    Files too.

    In a ZIP folder.

    -OR-
    You could try an external drive that didn't work from a WIN 7 to a WIN 19 machine.

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    1. My new computer won't have a CD drive. I can install one through a usb cable.

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  3. Battery: You can get a new (generic brand) battery from a battery store. No need to spend more for an OEM branded battery, especially on an old machine. Should add a couple of years of life to your old machine.

    Ten key: No way to tell whether the problem is hardware (gunk under the keypad) or software (download a new driver) without looking at it. Easy enough to fix both problems and thus make it work again.

    Keyboards tend to last longer if you don't eat or drink near the machine, or use them in a dusty environment. But if you have pets, all bets are off. Either way, keyboards do require periodic cleaning or else they gunk up. They make special keyboard vacuum cleaner attachments with tiny fingers, but I just use a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a paper towel.

    Warning you: The machines being built today are all part of the disposable corporate culture. They want you to replace them every three years.

    Windows: Each version of windows is intentionally worse than the one before it, by design. That makes you depend on the company for more frequent updates. The incompatability between 10 and 11 isn't surprising at all. Best bet is to read their online help documentation on how to transfer files between versions. (Haven't read it myself because I'll probably never use 11.)

    Transfering files: If you're not worried about privacy, uploading to the cloud and then downloading to your new machine is often easiest but least private. If you're concerned about privacy then use either CDs/DVDs or USB sticks for a more direct transfer. However, either way, there is absolutely no privacy remaining in any new computer, so don't trouble yourself too much.

    Aside from transferring your files over, now is the time to do back-ups of anything important to you. Don't rely on either the old machine or the new machine to safely store your data if you don't back it up to another source.

    Hope some of that helps. Good luck.

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    1. I've not liked Windows since XP. XP allowed more user manipulation, which saved the operating system many times. I had one problem on an old machine that required downloading an uncorrupted CAB file, loading it, and being amazed as the problem disappeared.

      I thought of the cloud, but I'm going the direct cable route. I have to do some research of the method, and try to not make mistakes.

      I thought of the battery, but considering the cost, the age of the machine, and other problems that might develop, I decided to go with a new machine, and hold my breath.

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  4. When Windows stopped supporting XP, I stopped using Windows; period.
    I bought a new laptop, and have been using Linux Mint ever since.
    Many Windows apps can be used in Linux, if one installs a program called 'Wine'.
    One can also dual boot Windows and Linux on same PC or laptop.
    Copying all your apps from one computer to another, might be a huge obstacle.
    If you connect computer to computer directly, you'll need a crossover cable, I think.
    Linux operating systems come with its own version of Microsoft Office; Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc built in.
    Linux is free. No need to pay Bill Gates.

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  5. I have my son do it. There is a free utility in Windows for this, though . . .

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