I'm Stupid... Don't Do Tech Well AND I Have Windows XP 2002 SP3

[ChiciB1]

on my computer! I know I'm screwed, but I have a MacBook that has been connected to my router. I can use it I guess but how in the world am I supposed to get ALL THIS INFO that I have on this PC somewhere else??

My iphone has been synched too and now I have to force myself to use the MacBook. I'm very unhappy, but also stressed and ready to cry.

Can anyone give me some good advice? I don't have money to buy a newer program for my IE PC. Don't like what I hear about IE8 and think 7 will eventually be phased out too.

Basic question... should I just start transferring everything on here to disks? What's my solution?

[NYC_SKP]

1. Yes, you should begin backing up/transferring all important files and data.

I suspect you'll come to love your MacBook, I changed over years ago (but still have a laptop with XP-Pro).

If you use word, powerpoint, excel, you're going to need Mac versions of these programs, that's the only drawback.

They are, however, available at lower prices than in the past, and if you're an educator you might be able to get them free of charge.

How to back up/transfer? I hope you aren't thinking of using CDs or DVDs, that's a lot of time and effort.

Instead, try to find an inexpensive external hard drive, probably with USB connectivity, this should work with the PC and the Mac.

I don't know how big your hard drive is, but you can get these new or used for pretty cheap:

http://www.amazon.com/Iomega-HDD-drive-external-Hi-Speed/dp/B0000717A9/ref=sr_1_38?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1394222457&sr=1-38

[ChiciB1]

4. Yeah, I WAS Thinking Of CDs/DVDs.

You know I think I might have more on my Mac than I thought. Already have word & excel on it. I also have my printer set up on it too so I can use a USB connector to print from. And I do have a couple of hard drives that use USB connections. NOW, I think I'm understanding this a little better. I CAN download to the external hard drive, and use the hard drive when needed.

Boy, I freak out so easily. Must be my OCD in overdrive. I kinda think I can get through this now. And no, OBVIOUSLY not an educator!!

Thanks so much for THIS help... from all who responded. I think I can stop hyperventilating for today, LOL!

Okay, guess I'll give this baby one more big hug, but probably still put it in a corner so I can look back on it fondly! Been around a long time.

[NYC_SKP]

7. Sounds like you'll be fine!

So yes, use the drives to back up and to transfer- So much easier than going through a bunch of disks!

Have fun!

[ChiciB1]

9. Thanks Again...

[hobbit709]

2. XP will not magically stop working. It will work 10 years from now.

IE is NOT Windows.
Any program that is now working fine on XP will keep working.
I would back up my data files in any case to an external hard drive or flash drive.

[ChiciB1]

11. Well Now You Know Just How Un-Techy I Am!

I have learned a bit more today though. I WILL survive! But I am smarter than the average bear when it comes to keeping up with politics, etc., got lots stored in my noggin'!

[ohheckyeah]

3. I'm going to keep using XP on my backup

computer. I'll just make sure I'm using a good virus program and firewall and keep using it.

[ChiciB1]

6. But How Are You Going To Get UpDates?

I do have AVG and malwarebytes, anti-malware that I run all the time. And I did buy the AVG, but it will expire soon. I know there are free ones out there, but for some reason I clicked onto the wrong download and ended up paying for it.

[ohheckyeah]

8. I won't. I'm not particularly worried about Windows updates.

If it appears to be a problem, I'll eventually put Windows 7 on it. I don't use IE ever, I use Firefox and it will continue to update. Other non-Windows stuff should continue to update as well.

[Paper Roses]

19. I did the same thing and clicked on the wrong download. The page was deceiving.

The 'paid' version will expire in a few days and I will go back to the real free page. I asked my computer guru about the benefit to my of the paid version. He told me that, for the way I use the computer, that the free version was fine. What I don't know yet is if I have to delete the paid version from list of programs and reinstall the free version. It will be interesting to see the message I get from AVG then it expires.

[TreasonousBastard]

5. You can use most of the files you have. Just...

copy them on to thumb drives, CD's, DVD's, cloud storage or whatever and move them over to the MacBook. Good idea to have them backed up anyway.

For a free Office "clone" go to http://www.libreoffice.org/ and download the Mac version. It's free and includes more than you'll ever need, but you'll never bother with Office again.

For just a decent word processor if you have OSX 10.2 or better, try AbiWord. It's made to feel like and be compatible with Word.
http://abisource.com/

Depending on what you do with a computer, there are lots of other neat, and free, things out there for the Mac.

Your XP machine will work until it blows up far in the future, but won't be supported. Software upgrades for stuff you use, security upgrades, etc won't exist any more but you can still use the thing the way you use it now. Just be aware that some basic security stuff may be lacking, although that shouldn't be much of a problem if you're even a little careful. And a lot of the software you use now probably can't be upgraded.

When you do a get a few bucks together for a new machine, ignore the malcontents complaining about Windows 8. It takes a few days to get used to, but I have one 2XP, 2 Win7, and 2 Win 8 machines and I wouldn't give the Win 8's up for either of the others.

[ChiciB1]

10. Well, I'm So GLAD I Decided To Air My Worries Here.

So many people with such great information and it's GREATLY appreciated. Had no idea there was all this new and free stuff! Looks like there's enough for me to live ANOTHER DAY!

YAAAAY!

[CK_John]

12. I suggest 5 or 6 (32GB jump sticks or flash drive about $20 each). Size comparison is

CD = 3/4GB, DVD = 4GB and many new tablets don't come with readers anymore. I've have very good performance with Lexar drives.

[ChiciB1]

14. Thanks A Lot...

Getting all this very helpful information, I'm now having to consider which way I want to go. And of course do price comparisons. Glad I still have some time, but certainly want to get something that I'm comfortable with.

[jtuck004]

13. Get a gmail account. Pay for the file storage you need beyond the 5 GB they give you.

If you need more, price it and then compare it with other places.

Then it won't matter what machine you have, whether it is phone, tablet, computer, etc.

Apps are different, but you said data.

I think the other ideas about getting some USB sticks or DVD's or something is a good idea, or you can just clone the whole disk to another and keep it on a shelf. Dual backups are a good thing.

[ChiciB1]

15. Yes, Thinking Of Doing A Little Of This & A Little Of That...

Haven't decided which way to go. I have been using the MacBook more the last several days. One thing I found I DO need is a new battery for it. Can't keep it plugged in all the time. But it doesn't seem to be holding a charge for very long.

While checking out possibilities I read something about buying some sort of HDMI storage to add on to the MacBook. From what I'm reading it's basically a backup hard drive. I know we had to buy separate HDMI cables for our Smart TV if we wanted to use HD. Still working out which way to go. Regardless, I do need to backup all my data BEFORE April 8. Even with virus protection & anything else, I still don't trust transferring anything after.

I really SHOULD start using the laptop no matter what.

Thanks your your input too.

[jtuck004]

16. Just to add another bit of info, here's a list of 39 online backup solutions

compared. Between that, your own dvd's or hard disks, gmail or yahoo storage, etc, you should be able to make a good backup of everything, and not have it all in one easily destroyed spot.

just fyi.

[Sobriquet]

17. You can stay with XP. Just don't use Internet Explorer.

There are other browsers available. Firefox is the most well-known, but there's also Chrome (by Google -- I recommend the "privacy-enhanced" alternative, SRWare Iron), Opera, Safari (there are versions for both Mac and Windows), Maxthon, Lunascape... the list goes on.

Unless you reinstall XP from the CD, there isn't really a "safe" way to "delete" Internet Explorer on XP (or any Windows version). There's a slightly techie way that involves copying the contents of the install CD to your hard drive and "tweaking" the source, but I wouldn't recommend you attempt it if you're not computer-savvy. You can however deny access to it and "hide" it so that it's out of sight, out of mind. This article from About.com shows you a feasible workaround. (Make sure you download and install Firefox or some other browser first, though, otherwise you won't be able to get online!) If you really want to "hide" IE, you can try the following in addition to that:

1. Open up an Explorer window. Browse to C:\Program Files.
2. Right click on the folder "Internet Explorer."
3. Select "Properties." A dialog box will open up.
4. Click the checkbox next to "Hidden" so that it's checked.
5. Another dialog will open up, asking you if you want to hide just that particular folder or the folder and everything in it. Your call; doesn't really matter at this point. Personally I'd check the latter.
6. Click OK. The IE program folder will "disappear," but it's only hidden from view of the user, not deleted from the system. All the underlying code for the IE "core" still exists; it's just not visible to you so that you accidentally use it.

You can also delete the shortcut from the desktop, if you have one. Delete the shortcuts from the Start menu too.

Windows Media Player isn't as big of a deal. You can still go on using it without much worry about hackers opening up your MP3 collection. Although just to be on the safe side I'd download and install an alternate media player too. VLC is my favorite; there are scores of others, like Foobar 2000, Media Player Classic, Quintessential Player -- heck, even iTunes plays mp3 files (not .avi videos, though), and as a bonus copies them to your iPod.



Personally I think this was the stupidest (but most market-savvy) decision M$ ever made, to integrate the browser (and a friggin' music player?) with the operating system. Of course, they weren't expecting there would ever be a market for other Internet programs besides theirs, when the Browser Wars started back in 1994 or so...

[ChiciB1]

18. Once Again... I Want To Thank Everyone For ALL This

input. Funny thing, I've been using Firefox as my browser for quite some time, but was unaware it was still viable. All of this information is keeping me very busy so I haven't posted here. Just checked back in today and see more comments regarding my near melt down hysterical reaction to this XP thing.

Right now I'm wading through this stuff because you must know it's taking time to educate myself about suggestions. BTW, I also DO have my original CD and now recall someone told me a long time ago I could use it.

Now, I'm going to have to bookmark this again since more have responded. And thanks for the walk through... always helpful for someone like me.

WOW, lots to digest!