[PersonOfInterest]

Get a small filing cabinet. Copy your files to a floppy disk. Take the floppy disk and make a xerox copy of it. Copy files from the floppy disk to the new computer. Put the floppy disk and the xerox copy into the small filing cabinet.

Best approach would be to have someone who is not on TOTV and is knowledgeable about computers perform the transfer for you. Ask if they know Binary and Hexadecimal. Test them by asking the value of 1011 and F0 + 0F. (1011 = 123 F0 + 0F = FF = 255)

They will probably mess it up as well, but such is life with Computers that most of us don't really know how to use.

[Girlcopper]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

I used to copy files to a flash drive and then physically move the flash drive to the new device and paste them all to a subdirectory in the new device.

Now, I just keep the flash drive in my current device, and save ALL my files to that flash drive. When I get a new machine I simply take that drive and insert it into the new machine, and everything is still exactly where I put it the first time around.

Thats the best idea. Then no worries about missing files or pictures ever

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by rsmurano

Cloud is only accessible by wifi? What? Everytime you log in to Google mail, iCloud, or whatever cloud from your phone, you think you are using wifi?
You can get to the cloud using LTE, 4G, or 5G cell service.

I don't see where anyone claimed that wifi was required. You need to be online and, as you point out, mobile phones can get online without wifi. On the other hand, if you are attempting to transfer files to a computer (desktop, laptop, tablet) then you will most likely use wifi.

I wouldn’t use a flash drive either for files, I would get a usb disk that doesn’t need any external power. But that’s the last thing I would do.
If somebody can come in and steal your computer, where are your important files? Probably not encrypted, probably not password protected.
And people wonder how their valuable info gets in the wrong hands.

My external disk is stored safely and securely away from my computer. That way any issue with the computer does not affect the backup of my important files.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by PersonOfInterest

Get a small filing cabinet. Copy your files to a floppy disk. Take the floppy disk and make a xerox copy of it. Copy files from the floppy disk to the new computer. Put the floppy disk and the xerox copy into the small filing cabinet.

Best approach would be to have someone who is not on TOTV and is knowledgeable about computers perform the transfer for you. Ask if they know Binary and Hexadecimal. Test them by asking the value of 1011 and F0 + 0F. (1011 = 123 F0 + 0F = FF = 255)

They will probably mess it up as well, but such is life with Computers that most of us don't really know how to use.

1011 != 123
1011 = 11 or 521 or 1,011 or 4,113

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by PersonOfInterest

Get a small filing cabinet. Copy your files to a floppy disk. Take the floppy disk and make a xerox copy of it. Copy files from the floppy disk to the new computer. Put the floppy disk and the xerox copy into the small filing cabinet.

Best approach would be to have someone who is not on TOTV and is knowledgeable about computers perform the transfer for you. Ask if they know Binary and Hexadecimal. Test them by asking the value of 1011 and F0 + 0F. (1011 = 123 F0 + 0F = FF = 255)

They will probably mess it up as well, but such is life with Computers that most of us don't really know how to use.

Floppy disk? I hope the new computer doesn't have a floppy disc drive because it won't be a new laptop. Most new laptops don't come with any built-in data drives. I don't know binary or hexadecimal, but I do know how to copy files from a desktop to a laptop.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by FredMitchell

Dropbox is a fine alternative or supplement to Google Drive. You set up a top level folder of everything that you might want to move, data, documents, etc. Then set that drive to be duplicated on the internet. You can work locally. Files will be synchronized with the internet copy the next time you are connected. It also does not matter if you decide that you want to switch platforms, Windows, Mac, even Linux, not that you care about that option.

Much easier than using USB or external drives.

I subscribe to Microsoft 365 for $70 per year. It provides the Microsoft Office software (Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Outlook, etc.) on all of your internet devices, and the programs can be downloaded for offline use. But, it also provides 1TB of cloud storage using OneDrive. I use about half of the cloud storage for lossless music files. It is a very good deal.

[midiwiz]

Originally Posted by BPRICE1234

I need help moving files from an old desktop to a laptop. I have ZERO computer skills so I'm concerned I will lose pictures or important files. Any help appreciated and I'm willing to pay. Thanks, Bryan

recently retired from 47 years in computers, and I'm bored. So send me something in my inbox and I'll do it for you. I work for tips LOL ok that sounded wrong, how about a donut? LOL. Just saying I'm good but don't cost anything.

[jnsbill]

its not a big deal deal - if you are not far from me I would do it for nothing - message me

[retiredguy123]

OP, copying files and using the cloud are two things that you really should learn how to do. You will get a lot more use from your new computer.

Try this: If you have a smart phone, click on the "my files" app and see if the Google Drive appears. If so, this is the easiest cloud drive to use for storing files that can be accessed from anywhere.

[RoboVil]

Originally Posted by BPRICE1234

I need help moving files from an old desktop to a laptop. I have ZERO computer skills so I'm concerned I will lose pictures or important files. Any help appreciated and I'm willing to pay. Thanks, Bryan

If you want to move files that it is easy. Use a flash drive, or DropBox, or other cloud drive. If you want to move programs then you will have to buy a software program that moves programs too. A program that will transfer programs and more is PC Trans by EaseUS. There are a couple of others as well.

[SaucyJim]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

The cloud is only useful if you're online when you need a file. It's useless if you're in a situation when you don't have internet access.

My photos are in several places - on my hard drive, on google drive, on my flash drive, on my phone.

My data files are on a flash drive, though I do have some duplication to my hard drive on my desktop computer with some of the files. The only exception are the files I created using google sheets and google docs. Those are initially on the cloud server, and THEN I convert them to libre office formatting and save them to my flash drive. I don't use google sheets or docs for much though.

Most of my programs are on a flash drive, and I have my entire computer ghosted to an SD card.

This is the same flash drive I've had for seven years. It's fine. The USB port I usually stick it in is getting wobbly because my cat keeps rubbing against the drive. The data on the drive is still perfectly secure and allows me to work (and read books) offline.

I use Dropbox and you have the option at the file or folder level to choose cloud or cloud and local. For example, I have music both cloud and local so there is no need for download to play a song. But my pictures are cloud only, which means they must be downloaded before viewing.

Flash drive or any single point of failure is a recipe for disaster.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by SaucyJim

I use Dropbox and you have the option at the file or folder level to choose cloud or cloud and local. For example, I have music both cloud and local so there is no need for download to play a song. But my pictures are cloud only, which means they must be downloaded before viewing.

Flash drive or any single point of failure is a recipe for disaster.

OneDrive offers the same option. You can sync any new files created to OneDrive, and it will upload them to the cloud, and/or download them to any device or devices you choose.

[MJY10101]

Many people including myself use Michael McLeer. He really knows his stuff and charges only whatever you think is fair. He also goes by “The Geek God”. His number is 352-638-6720.

[jaygardens]

let me know if you don't get a zillion people offering to help...

i would be glad to help for free...

[LeftyMike]

I have done this many times. Call me if you need on site help
Mike Roth 513-646-6523