Memory Stick

[kreativebargains]

Are you saying that you do not have a back up of your photos?
What if your hard disc were to pack up - you would lose the lot!
We run a weekly back up, where all of our data files (photos, letters, spreadsheets, etc) get transferred to a 2nd & 3rd device.

I have at least 2 copies of each, it is more the housekeeping I need to do. Got some that will never get used again that need deleting and some that need their own sub folders to make managing them easier.

[mainlypostcards]

There is just one essential "daily" file, that I copy to a stick every day - my excel file that contains my selling data (needed for annual tax return).
Other than that, we use 2 external hard discs. All data gets copied to one or the other on a weekly basis. Therefore, in the unlikely event that 2 discs were to fail at the same time, we would never lose more than 2 weeks of data.
I agree what you say about the housekeeping. I have files that will never be used again and/or are no longer of any interest.
Although I have the latest version of windows, we decided to completely ignore their "libraries" and will carefully choose a folder when saving a new file and we still operate creating our own folders and subfolders on our data drive. It makes management that little bit easier.

[Oldandintheway]

In a few weeks time I shall be purchasing a new PC. This will, I am led to believe, coincide with the launch of Windows 8i. I will need to transfer several hundred photos from my current PC which operates on XP.

Which memory stick do I use? (Presuming that is the way to go). Will one be compatible with both OS?

I'm in the exact same position & pick up my new PC tomorrow.
I have been told that USB sticks are backwards compatible, although U2 is slower than U3, but they will still operate, should that be the way you choose to go.
I'm going to use Win7 operating system.
Hope it all goes well for you.
Cheers, Allen.

[madelaine]

A 21st Century solution is Dropbox - upload from the old computer into the "cloud" and then recover when you install drop box on your new one.

And I hope you all have a back up of vital files and sentimental photographs in another building... at least a Boeing 747 width from your house.

PM me if you would like a Drop Box invitation (I get more storage if you join... and you can invite others)

[Maelbrigda]

i backed up my old computer onto cds and dvds several years ago and now they will not open on windows 8 and i've lost 3 years worth of photos. When i wanted to back up my windows 7 to move onto windows 8 i transfered everything to an external hard drive and did it that way. now i have copies on both computers and the external drive. my external hard drive was a great bargain. if you have the money you can now get wireless ones

[madelaine]

we still have an XP computer, Penni. You could send one to us to try?

[Maelbrigda]

i binned them when we moved house as they didnt work. Pete had tried them on his Vista PC and they didnt work. They were written on win 95 or 98. I also have a kodak disc that when you went to have photos developed you could have them on a disc and it no longer works either

[cornishmaid1961]

A 21st Century solution is Dropbox - upload from the old computer into the "cloud" and then recover when you install drop box on your new one.

And I hope you all have a back up of vital files and sentimental photographs in another building... at least a Boeing 747 width from your house.

PM me if you would like a Drop Box invitation (I get more storage if you join... and you can invite others)

I use Drop Box too Madelaine it's a handy storage solution.

[madelaine]

i binned them when we moved house as they didnt work. Pete had tried them on his Vista PC and they didnt work. They were written on win 95 or 98. I also have a kodak disc that when you went to have photos developed you could have them on a disc and it no longer works either

surely it's worth a 2nd class stamp to let me try?

[Oldandintheway]

Ditto post #18