I Have outgrown my computer

[Welsh Jen]

I am not sure of their shelf life. however I have had my photos on them since 2000 and they are fine at the moment. I suppose if they are looking a little unloved you could copy the data onto newer ones every now and then to make sure.  I do think though your answer is a CD Writer. Floppy's are good but don't hold too much on them better than leaving everything on your PC though! 

[RJ_Paton]

Hi celia sorry for the confusion I caused,

There are two main upgrade paths you could choose
1 is to fit a CD Writer (this will create your CD's with appropriate software)
2 is to fit a DVD writer (This will create your CD's OR DVD's with the appropriate software)

You need to ask yourself if you need the storage capacity of a DVD ..... unless you are storing large quantities of video files or very high quality picture files I would suspect the answer is NO ...
to put it into context 1 CD is equivalent to approx 450 Floppy discs and 1 DVD Disc is the equivalent of 7 CD's

A suitable internal CD writer drive can be obtained for as little as £17
http://www.dabs.com/uk/channels/components/cdanddvdreaderswriters/

fitting it is relatively straightforward if you have no qualms about opening up your machine's case ..... If you do try to get someone else to fit it for you.

Another option is to go for an external unit which would plug into your system and be available without opening the case ....... this is a much more expensive option £70 - £100.

Regarding the CD types ...... the CD Writer can write to two types of CD

type 1 is a one off operation .... ie you Create (burn) the CD and the information is put on the CD in one operation ....

type 2 is what is referred to as CD RW   ..... these disks can be written to several times adding a litlle information each time so that all of the information is available to the person viewing the contents

[celia]

Hello Falkyrn I am getting to understand this subject a little better now .Thanks to you lovely people, so are you saying that I don't need to spend £70 ? Phew.so would this even  cheaper than £40 machine  allow me to put piccies on that would be great. Thats all i want. It would save time when i send photo's to my Daughter in oz. I have just tried the site address it's not working. the address on the toolbar is flashing on and off. Be back later

Celia

[Lo]

Hi Celia

Judging by your animated crest you are not a complete 'comperdum'. That said I must point out that CD-RW is not the best medium to 'add' data to, it is more intended to erase and re-write. You can keep adding data (not music) to a standard CD until it is full and at about 20p per disk it is a very cheap way to store pictures.
With most programs such as 'Nero' it is a simple mater of drag and drop.
Installing a CD is not exactly rocket science but please don't open your puter unless you know what you are doing. There are plenty of geeks about that would be only too pleased to do it for you. (usually someones grand son!!!!)
BTW floppy's are a good media for small files like picture, I have some recorded in the early 90's however as with all technology built in obsolescence comes into play. The floppy drive is becoming a thing of the past. Lots of new puters don't have em!
I hope I haven't confused more than helped - if so just bear in mind the old expression 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'

Lots of luck
Lo

[RJ_Paton]

celia,
 To get a basic capability to write to CD's added to your machine should be relatively inexpensive .... the basic internal Cd writer is available from a number of sources
http://www.dabs.co.uk
www.pcworld.co.uk .... although they appear more expensive thans dabs
www.simply .co.uk also have a good make (philips) cd rw drive for £20

To recap from earlier, The CD is regarded in many areas as the successor to the floppy disc although given its increased capacity it is obviously of more use to transfer large files. That said given the fall in blank disk prices the CD's are almost cheaper than Floppies were a few years ago. (relatively speaking ...no pun intended  )

To use as storage or to transfer files from one location to another they are a good option and given what you say are your current and projected needs they are all I would say that you need at the moment.

that said I would urge caution if you are at all uncertain about installing the drive yourself

[celia]

Hello Falkyrn. Thank you  for that advice. I tried the other three web addresses you sent but i can only get P.C.World none of the others. I am a terror for doing a bit of reseach on anything I buy. Someone once asked me "is that why it takes you so long to buy a packet of crisps" Cheeky

Celia 

[Fitty]

HI Celia,

You might find what you are looking for here. We've used them ourselves in the past and have been very happy with the service.
http://www.aria.co.uk/


Fitty

[celia]

Thank you Fitty Will try that one.                                 

Thanks for All the help and advice everyone. Now i can go to a shop and look like i know what I'm Talking about

                            OVER & OUT
Celia 

[Lauraine]

Hi:  This is really a big THANK you to FALKYRN.  I have a CD burner, supposedly a DVD thing and something called a MP3?  Now at least know the difference from the CD and DVD - very first time someone has explained the diff in capacity.   My questions to salesmen were either ignored or sluffed off.

Have finally figured out how to look at file exdtensions in XP using explore.  Helped get rid of a couple of problems. 

Now if someone would just explain what one uses that MP3 thing for??

Lauraine