floppy disk drive in a new computer

xxMandyxx

hi guys, i recently bought a dell dimension 3100 which doesnt have a floppy disk drive. im clueless when it comes to computers but i wondered if i could buy a floppy disk drive and insert it into my new computer? or do you get external ones?

all my uni work is on floppy disks and so i need to be able to access it and would like to do so on my new computer rather than my old one.

also can anyone tell me if there is any way to transfer the info on my floppy disks to cd? (told you i was clueless lol!)

thanks for any help :beer:

Zahc

You can get usb external floppy drives no problems. I haven't got one, so I can't give you any advice. Just google and don't buy without checking out some reviews.
By the way, you can get floppy drives with card readers too.

Or, find a friend who has a floppy drive and cd burner and copy the lot onto cd. I would do that anyway because floppies are easy to corrupt (magnetic media don't you know?).

fox2319

Not sure if Dell's have got a floppy controller (pretty sure my 5150 doesn't) so you've got 2 main options, either:

a - Get a USB floppy and transfer everything across that way or
b - Get a USB memory stick, transfer all your files to it on another computer which has Win 2000 or XP and then you can put it all on the nice shiny new Dell. Up side of that is that you'd have a USB memory stick for use for general stuff (I always have mine in my pocket - sad man that I am

Hope that helps

Jeff

Shaun_d123

Ive got a USB floppy for my work laptop as do a lot of work via floppies (Dont know why)

Also have a USB memory stick which I would recommend over the USB floppy.

This one looks quite handy as you can transfer between other media storage types

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/80881

xxMandyxx

thanks the one from ebuyer looks good- thanks for the replies :T

njtkc

thanks to Zahc I found the tech forum on a thread and registered, I think I'm getting hooked on forums ......... but this one will be really helpful, I'm experienced in using and installing programmes but from being employed, so you learn the companies programs and the IT depart always give idiot guide instructions.. Now I've actually bought a laptop of my own !!!!!!! and I'm not sure of the consequences of pressing some buttons ?

Zahc

njtkc wrote:

thanks to Zahc I found the tech forum on a thread and registered, I think I'm getting hooked on forums ......... but this one will be really helpful, I'm experienced in using and installing programmes but from being employed, so you learn the companies programs and the IT depart always give idiot guide instructions.. Now I've actually bought a laptop of my own !!!!!!! and I'm not sure of the consequences of pressing some buttons ?

Yep, come and join us. The more the merrier. If you know stuff, and have time to share, come help out us mere mortals.:T

*!*HIBS*!*

Just remember to have more than one back up (if possible) of your usb memory stick (and your work in general), because if something goes wrong on the main usb stick you will have the back up(s) to work from. Make sure you update the back up(s) too so you have the most recent copies to hand, e.g. emailing the documents to yourself is a quick example. I think a previous post on another thread on here, may have said it's harder (maybe impossible) to try and retrieve data from damaged/corrupted usb stick(s), as the technology used in usb sticks is flash rather than the magnetic disc used in floppies.

leesmithg

xxMandyxx wrote:

hi guys, i recently bought a dell dimension 3100 which doesnt have a floppy disk drive. im clueless when it comes to computers but i wondered if i could buy a floppy disk drive and insert it into my new computer? or do you get external ones?

all my uni work is on floppy disks and so i need to be able to access it and would like to do so on my new computer rather than my old one.

also can anyone tell me if there is any way to transfer the info on my floppy disks to cd? (told you i was clueless lol!)

thanks for any help :beer:

You're better off just using a USB pen drive, more space and over time will save you money.

Floppy disk drives are dated, just don't use mine anymore.

wiraone

I've three PCs and one note book at home and only one (4 years old PC) has it. As suggested, use USB pendrive as the alternative.