My wireless connection at home isn't secure. I share it with a neighbor when they are in town. My other nearby neighbors don't use wireless, but that may change. If I see a car parked in my front yard with a guy hunched over I'll know whats going on. Security of your data should be important to us. What can happen if someone gets on your network? They can see all your files. That means steal the files, change the file and ultimates crash your computer if they wish. Even if you don't care about your files, you should care about your PC. (PCSS visits are welcome but can be costly!)
Securing your wireless network isn't the easiest thing to do. There are two parts of the security. #1 is to secure your wireless router. If you haven't changed its default password a hacker can easily get to the router and change ALL your settings including security. Even sneakier is for them to just pick up your security settings, thus opening up your supposedly secure network without you knowing. To secure the router you have to go to the routers built in management console. This differs per router, but you should have gotten documentation from the router manufacturer on how to do this (you can generally get that info from the manufacturers web page). Then you need to go to the security or setup section of the console and set a password. Make it a strong password with numbers,letters and symbols. Write it down so you won't forget it! After setting the password the router will reboot and you'll have to enter the new password to get into the console.
While you are in the router you should go to the Wireless security section and make sure security is turned on. The best security choice is WPA. Any security is better then none, but WPA is stronger and less likely to be hacked then the old WEP standard. I've seen WEP hacked in under 10 minutes with the right equipment. When you set up the security you'll be asked to give a passcode or you will be given a security number. Write these down, because your wireless devices will now need the code to get on your network. You'll also have to give the code/number to anyone you want to use your wireless network.
If you have questions or need help, we are here to oblige!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
#123 - Monday Reflections on reliability
Its a cool Monday after Easter in the Alleghany Highlands. My computer, printer and monitor started up without incident. Now that may not seem like a huge Woohoo moment but computer reliability is very important to the world.
Back in the early days of hard drives, keeping them running over a year was a big accomplishment. Just last week a customers hard drive crashed after 5 years of pretty heavy use. The drive sent out warning noises and even some funky error messages before passing on. The customer wanted to know why the hard drive ceased to function. The expectation has changed from I know its going to crash to Why do they crash?
Hard Drives are the key to all PCs. They are disks of metal spinning very fast (7500rpm in a desktop) with a magnetic head positioned millimeters from that spinning disk. Several mechanical and electrical components that can (and will) fail. The tolerances are very fine, the machining of the components exacting and fit and finish precise. Mean time before failure is 4-5 years of continuous operation. Modern marvels if you ask me, but still the main reason PCs crash.
Now if a desktop hard drive is amazing think about the laptop hard drive. One third the size with teeny tiny components. They get bumped all the time, put in strange positions and subject to extremes in temperature seasonally. Mean time before failure is approximately the same in portable hard drives. Now that is amazing. Actually a laptop hard drive is fairly easy to replace and if you get a new one they usually are faster speeding up the whole laptop.
Back in the early days of hard drives, keeping them running over a year was a big accomplishment. Just last week a customers hard drive crashed after 5 years of pretty heavy use. The drive sent out warning noises and even some funky error messages before passing on. The customer wanted to know why the hard drive ceased to function. The expectation has changed from I know its going to crash to Why do they crash?
Hard Drives are the key to all PCs. They are disks of metal spinning very fast (7500rpm in a desktop) with a magnetic head positioned millimeters from that spinning disk. Several mechanical and electrical components that can (and will) fail. The tolerances are very fine, the machining of the components exacting and fit and finish precise. Mean time before failure is 4-5 years of continuous operation. Modern marvels if you ask me, but still the main reason PCs crash.
Now if a desktop hard drive is amazing think about the laptop hard drive. One third the size with teeny tiny components. They get bumped all the time, put in strange positions and subject to extremes in temperature seasonally. Mean time before failure is approximately the same in portable hard drives. Now that is amazing. Actually a laptop hard drive is fairly easy to replace and if you get a new one they usually are faster speeding up the whole laptop.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
#122 - Working on the web
The latest rage on the web is office applications there. Not only do you save your files on the web, but your word processor, spreadsheet and calendar are run on the web and not on your PC. Benefits of being online include never losing your data (they keep it an back it up). Being able to access your data anywhere there is an Internet connection. Not having to worry about software upgrades (done on the web!). You also can use a MAC, PC or Linux machine to run literally all these applications.
There are literally thousands of applications now on line. The Google apps that we discussed in a previous blog: Blog #84 were some of the first and still are the best, but there are many more apps now online. You can convert to a PDF file, Edit Photos, do translations and of course play games. Here is a site with a listing of many of the applications: Web Application List Site
So how good are these applications and should you use them? We've tried many of the Google apps and though they are workable, we'll stick with Word, Excel and Outlook. The online Office wannabes are OK for sharing files with others but you'll be searching for features as soon as you try them. Life is really to short to have to learn more word processing commands. It took me 10 years to forget all the WordPerfect function commands I learned in the 80s!
Some of the applications are real good, like the Yahoo Babel Fish translation tool and the photo sharing sites (Snapfish & Shutterfly are our favorites). If you think you would like to try some go to the Web Application site above or the Google program site here Google World.
I do all my blogging online using google Blogspot. I type it up on line and then save it there. Its a wonderful example of a web based program that is intuitive. Now if Microsoft starts to move their applications to the web I may follow. They would have to run at least as fast as what I have now. I would like to have something different then Outlook. I really liked the Lotus Organizer program I used for 15 years. I hated to move to Outlook but the latest Palm software won't sync with Organizer, sigh...
Let us know if you like any of the online applications!
There are literally thousands of applications now on line. The Google apps that we discussed in a previous blog: Blog #84 were some of the first and still are the best, but there are many more apps now online. You can convert to a PDF file, Edit Photos, do translations and of course play games. Here is a site with a listing of many of the applications: Web Application List Site
So how good are these applications and should you use them? We've tried many of the Google apps and though they are workable, we'll stick with Word, Excel and Outlook. The online Office wannabes are OK for sharing files with others but you'll be searching for features as soon as you try them. Life is really to short to have to learn more word processing commands. It took me 10 years to forget all the WordPerfect function commands I learned in the 80s!
Some of the applications are real good, like the Yahoo Babel Fish translation tool and the photo sharing sites (Snapfish & Shutterfly are our favorites). If you think you would like to try some go to the Web Application site above or the Google program site here Google World.
I do all my blogging online using google Blogspot. I type it up on line and then save it there. Its a wonderful example of a web based program that is intuitive. Now if Microsoft starts to move their applications to the web I may follow. They would have to run at least as fast as what I have now. I would like to have something different then Outlook. I really liked the Lotus Organizer program I used for 15 years. I hated to move to Outlook but the latest Palm software won't sync with Organizer, sigh...
Let us know if you like any of the online applications!
Monday, March 3, 2008
#121 - Technology in Mexico
I just got back from 8 days in Mexico. Click here for a link to the visit blog. Here are some thoughts on technology there.
I had wireless Internet at both hotels we stayed at. It was free in the smaller town of Actopan, but it was a secure site so the desk clerk had to give us the pass code. In Mexico City, the wireless was pay as you go, but you could use a US provider such as Boingo ($10 US per day or $21 for the month). Speed seemed similar to US wireless sites, with busy times when they were slower and times (6AM) when they seemed very fast.
Cell phones were everywhere and people on our trip that got International access had the same "can you here me know" issues in the country. Two of the guys from Charlotte on the trip had Blackberry units and could get the Internet and email if they had telephone service.
I saw lots of old PCs and CRTs in the country areas. None of the people we were helping had PCs or cell phones (and you wouldn't think they could afford any with earnings of less then $5 per day). All of the staff people from Habitat had cell phones, though when I asked only a few had PCs. They had access to PCs in their office. Laptops seemed more rare though we saw several in our restaurant in the town of Actopan. There were many Internet cafes near middle and high schools. The cafes all had old PCs and CRT monitors. I believe they all had broadband Internet (I didn't see any dial up connections). We even saw painted adds for Internet cafes on very old lean to type buildings.
Not many laser printers were around, just inexpensive inkjet printers. The printed receipt I recieved from both the Actopan(small town) and Mexico city hotels were from inkjet printers and could barely be read (using the ink to the last drop).
I didn't see alot of computer stores, though that may be more what sections of town that I was in. I did go to an open market in Actopan and saw several people selling old Palm PDA units and lots of AC adapters (the blocks you plug into the wall) for all kinds of items. They were just on a folding table and obviously very used.
With the lack of PCs around, you would think Mexico would be an ideal place to export the old PCs, printers and monitors. I'm not sure that is happening, but I constantly get questions from customers on what to do with their old PCs.
I had wireless Internet at both hotels we stayed at. It was free in the smaller town of Actopan, but it was a secure site so the desk clerk had to give us the pass code. In Mexico City, the wireless was pay as you go, but you could use a US provider such as Boingo ($10 US per day or $21 for the month). Speed seemed similar to US wireless sites, with busy times when they were slower and times (6AM) when they seemed very fast.
Cell phones were everywhere and people on our trip that got International access had the same "can you here me know" issues in the country. Two of the guys from Charlotte on the trip had Blackberry units and could get the Internet and email if they had telephone service.
I saw lots of old PCs and CRTs in the country areas. None of the people we were helping had PCs or cell phones (and you wouldn't think they could afford any with earnings of less then $5 per day). All of the staff people from Habitat had cell phones, though when I asked only a few had PCs. They had access to PCs in their office. Laptops seemed more rare though we saw several in our restaurant in the town of Actopan. There were many Internet cafes near middle and high schools. The cafes all had old PCs and CRT monitors. I believe they all had broadband Internet (I didn't see any dial up connections). We even saw painted adds for Internet cafes on very old lean to type buildings.
Not many laser printers were around, just inexpensive inkjet printers. The printed receipt I recieved from both the Actopan(small town) and Mexico city hotels were from inkjet printers and could barely be read (using the ink to the last drop).
I didn't see alot of computer stores, though that may be more what sections of town that I was in. I did go to an open market in Actopan and saw several people selling old Palm PDA units and lots of AC adapters (the blocks you plug into the wall) for all kinds of items. They were just on a folding table and obviously very used.
With the lack of PCs around, you would think Mexico would be an ideal place to export the old PCs, printers and monitors. I'm not sure that is happening, but I constantly get questions from customers on what to do with their old PCs.
Monday, February 18, 2008
#119 - Technology on the road.
I'm getting ready to go to Mexico to participate in a Habitat for Humanity "Build 40 homes in 40 days" Lenten house build. I have most everything packed and am checking it twice. I'm taking my digital camera (of course to document EVERYTHING!) and an extra 1GB SD memory card (in case the first acts up). I'm taking my small laptop (the Lenovo Vista bomb). It just weighs less and and takes up less space. We'll be downloading our pictures at night and then burning DVDs or CDs at trips end. I'll have my Palm Pilot for playing music on the plane and contacts and calendar. I've decided not to take my cell phone since it won't work in Mexico and I don't need another thing to keep track of. I would lose my head if not attached.
Along with the above items I'm taking a USB ry card reader (my Lenovo will only take SD or MMC cards), extra battery and charger for my Canon digital camera, a small optical travel mouse and cables to handle most situations (Ethernet & Telephone). Of course we need the Lenovo battery charger.
Low tech items include a flashlight, water bottle, sunglasses, book and umbrella. I use my Ogio Backpack that has plenty of rum for my laptop, and all the other technology stuff. It has my Spanish/English dictionary and my airplane socks (experience travellers know what those are). I love all this fits in a backpack that can easily be stowed in the overhead compartment leaving my feet uncrushed.
I'll let you know when I get back (March 2) what the state of Mexican Technology in the boonies is like!
Along with the above items I'm taking a USB ry card reader (my Lenovo will only take SD or MMC cards), extra battery and charger for my Canon digital camera, a small optical travel mouse and cables to handle most situations (Ethernet & Telephone). Of course we need the Lenovo battery charger.
Low tech items include a flashlight, water bottle, sunglasses, book and umbrella. I use my Ogio Backpack that has plenty of rum for my laptop, and all the other technology stuff. It has my Spanish/English dictionary and my airplane socks (experience travellers know what those are). I love all this fits in a backpack that can easily be stowed in the overhead compartment leaving my feet uncrushed.
I'll let you know when I get back (March 2) what the state of Mexican Technology in the boonies is like!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
#118 - Cleaning up your new PC - death to Bloatware
So you just paid big bucks (hey in this day they are all big bucks!) for your brand spanking new PC. Its now yours to work with and enjoy over the next 3-4 years. But wait! As soon as you turn it on you notice some programs, make that lots of programs, that you don't know what they are and what they are doing on your PC. Well there is the trial ware - trial versions of software that expire in 30 or 60 days out. Antivirus and Office products make up this batch. Then there is the software that is the limited version of the software. Utilities like PC Doctor and Diskeeper make up this group. Lastly there are programs you have no idea what they do or why they are on your PC. This Mac ad really gets the point: http://movies.apple.com/movies/us/apple/getamac/apple-getamac-fat_480x376.mov
This addition of software you didn't specifically ask for has been going on for years. Lately it has got way out of control. All the programs install resident versions for updates, checking out your Internet browsing and generally tying up your memory. Loverly! The first thing I do on a new PC is to get rid of as many of these extras as I can. I also get rid of every trial program that I can find. If you want to try something you'll just download it from the web. I use a program called PCDecrapifier (no kidding that's what it is called) that makes the cleanup a bit easier. Download it here: http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/download
Here are some of the worst actors:
MS Office 60 day trial
Symantec Internet Security
McAfee Antivirus
WordPerfect Office
PC Doctor
Network Magic
Any toolbar but GoogleTool bar
Any desktop search engine
All photo programs
I hear that Dell gets $20 per PC to put them on. I wonder if they would charge $20 more per PC to leave them off?
This addition of software you didn't specifically ask for has been going on for years. Lately it has got way out of control. All the programs install resident versions for updates, checking out your Internet browsing and generally tying up your memory. Loverly! The first thing I do on a new PC is to get rid of as many of these extras as I can. I also get rid of every trial program that I can find. If you want to try something you'll just download it from the web. I use a program called PCDecrapifier (no kidding that's what it is called) that makes the cleanup a bit easier. Download it here: http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/download
Here are some of the worst actors:
MS Office 60 day trial
Symantec Internet Security
McAfee Antivirus
WordPerfect Office
PC Doctor
Network Magic
Any toolbar but GoogleTool bar
Any desktop search engine
All photo programs
I hear that Dell gets $20 per PC to put them on. I wonder if they would charge $20 more per PC to leave them off?
Monday, February 4, 2008
#117 - Wireless future
Technology definitely has taken a wireless route. We remember how excited we were when we first put in our home wireless router. Amazingly we still have that router (its a Linksys) though we have put big antennas on it and hacked the software for more range. We can now find out the latest on global warming from the comfort of our patio. There are plenty of new items on the wireless front that warrants a look from the "Technology Blog"!
Printers now come with wireless technology. You can set a printer up anywhere in the house or office and share it with everyone on your network. Wireless printers cost just a bit more so if you have a wireless network and need to replace your printer this might be a good upgrade.
The more expensive digital cameras have wireless built in so that you can send your pictures to your PC at a push of a button. We've seen some close up and really DO NOT like this technology. First it comes at a pretty high premium and the set up to get the pictures in the right place with the right names is not that good. I'd wait on this bit of high tech wizardry.
Next is wireless charging. With this technology you would be able to put your pocket devices (cell phone, PDA, MP3 player, even a laptop) on a special pad and it would charge them. The most promising of this breed uses inductive charging. Essentially the pad matches the resonance of your battery in close proximity (on the pad) and charging begins. No more plugging in those combersome power bricks everywhere. This great technology may be out by year end.
The last wireless technology is one I've thought of, but didn't know how to implement. How would you like to place your new 52" LCD/Plasma TV anywhere in the house and not worry about that cable/satellite wire? Wireless High-Definition Interface (WHDI) uses a transmitter to send 1080p high def video signal from a DVD player, game console or setup box up to 100 feet wirelessly. Its been shown at recent electronic trade shows so it should be at Best Buy soon.
Printers now come with wireless technology. You can set a printer up anywhere in the house or office and share it with everyone on your network. Wireless printers cost just a bit more so if you have a wireless network and need to replace your printer this might be a good upgrade.
The more expensive digital cameras have wireless built in so that you can send your pictures to your PC at a push of a button. We've seen some close up and really DO NOT like this technology. First it comes at a pretty high premium and the set up to get the pictures in the right place with the right names is not that good. I'd wait on this bit of high tech wizardry.
Next is wireless charging. With this technology you would be able to put your pocket devices (cell phone, PDA, MP3 player, even a laptop) on a special pad and it would charge them. The most promising of this breed uses inductive charging. Essentially the pad matches the resonance of your battery in close proximity (on the pad) and charging begins. No more plugging in those combersome power bricks everywhere. This great technology may be out by year end.
The last wireless technology is one I've thought of, but didn't know how to implement. How would you like to place your new 52" LCD/Plasma TV anywhere in the house and not worry about that cable/satellite wire? Wireless High-Definition Interface (WHDI) uses a transmitter to send 1080p high def video signal from a DVD player, game console or setup box up to 100 feet wirelessly. Its been shown at recent electronic trade shows so it should be at Best Buy soon.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
#116 - PC Ergonomics
Last week we talked about PC environments. This week we'll discuss where and how you should set up your PC.
First and foremost, the PC's location depends on the type of PC you have. Most recent desktop PCs have the mini tower format. These fit almost anywhere - and that could be a problem. I don't like putting PCs on the floor. It makes it easy for bugs to crawl in and dust bunnies congregate there. You can knock it over and/or hit it with vacuums. Any spill or leak ends up with water on the floor. So if you can (and my customers are sharp cookies) please keep your PCs off the floor. We have our desktop PC on our work desk. It makes for convenient access to the DVD burner, the memory card reader and USB ports (all located in the front of the PC)!
Next place your monitor DIRECTLY in front of your face. I like the top half of the screen even with my eyes, but many like the middle of the screen even with your eyes. Don't look up to the screen. That is a neck ache or headache waiting to happen. Having a chair that can change heights is a great benefit for easing where your eyes and hands are located. Make sure you aren't too close to the monitor (minimum 15 inches from your nose).
Speaking about hands, keeping them level from your body- not upward or downward - facing is key to avoiding arm fatigue. Having arms on your chair can also help. I use one of the ergonomic keyboard with separated key sections and wrist rests. It really makes a difference. A gel wrist rest for you mouse is also nice for web surfing.
Keyboards should have adjustment legs so that you angle them toward your body. Many have two levels of adjustment for your convenience. There are also comfort mice available. I haven't found one I'm thrilled about but many of my customers like the Logitech Revolution series of contour mice.
First and foremost, the PC's location depends on the type of PC you have. Most recent desktop PCs have the mini tower format. These fit almost anywhere - and that could be a problem. I don't like putting PCs on the floor. It makes it easy for bugs to crawl in and dust bunnies congregate there. You can knock it over and/or hit it with vacuums. Any spill or leak ends up with water on the floor. So if you can (and my customers are sharp cookies) please keep your PCs off the floor. We have our desktop PC on our work desk. It makes for convenient access to the DVD burner, the memory card reader and USB ports (all located in the front of the PC)!
Next place your monitor DIRECTLY in front of your face. I like the top half of the screen even with my eyes, but many like the middle of the screen even with your eyes. Don't look up to the screen. That is a neck ache or headache waiting to happen. Having a chair that can change heights is a great benefit for easing where your eyes and hands are located. Make sure you aren't too close to the monitor (minimum 15 inches from your nose).
Speaking about hands, keeping them level from your body- not upward or downward - facing is key to avoiding arm fatigue. Having arms on your chair can also help. I use one of the ergonomic keyboard with separated key sections and wrist rests. It really makes a difference. A gel wrist rest for you mouse is also nice for web surfing.
Keyboards should have adjustment legs so that you angle them toward your body. Many have two levels of adjustment for your convenience. There are also comfort mice available. I haven't found one I'm thrilled about but many of my customers like the Logitech Revolution series of contour mice.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
#115 - Cold enough for you?
Boy its cold out. 7 degrees in Covington right now -20 something at Lambeau Field in Green Bay for the big game. I was thinking about temperatures and computers and thought I'd update you on where you should be operating your technology equipment.
PCs like to be operated at temperatures people like. 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit ambient temperatures are perfect for most PCs. Go above 75 degrees and if you stay there long enough you'll start to have PC problems. Your PC needs cool air to be pulled into your PC to help cool its internal components (the most important is the Central Processing Unit [CPU - the Pentium whatever]). Go below 60 degrees and your risk bringing in air that is cool and it will heat up rapidly possibly causing condensation (water vapor). Note that water and electronics are NOT a good mix. In fact starting up a PC (one that isn't ruggedized) near freezing temperatures is almost as fatal as trying to operate one at 90 deg. If you transport a PC in cool temperatures or store one there, you need to let it heat up GRADUALLY before turning the PC on.
Next temperatures to be aware of are the temperatures that your PC keeps track of internally. We use the free utility, Speedfan, to tell us internal info. You can download it here: http://www.download.com/SpeedFan/3000-2094_4-10067444.html?tag=lst-1
Maximum temperature of CPUs and other internal components is around 50 degrees C (122 degrees F). If your internal temps are much higher (above 70 dec. C) then the odds are good you are heading for a shutdown. There are several solutions as simple as cleaning up dust bunnies, cooling the room or getting a new internal cooling fan.
Printers and Monitors like the same moderate temperatures as PCs. DO NOT try to operate a Printer below 40 degrees F. Lots of bad things can happen!
If you have questions about your PC's temperatures give us a call or email.
PCs like to be operated at temperatures people like. 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit ambient temperatures are perfect for most PCs. Go above 75 degrees and if you stay there long enough you'll start to have PC problems. Your PC needs cool air to be pulled into your PC to help cool its internal components (the most important is the Central Processing Unit [CPU - the Pentium whatever]). Go below 60 degrees and your risk bringing in air that is cool and it will heat up rapidly possibly causing condensation (water vapor). Note that water and electronics are NOT a good mix. In fact starting up a PC (one that isn't ruggedized) near freezing temperatures is almost as fatal as trying to operate one at 90 deg. If you transport a PC in cool temperatures or store one there, you need to let it heat up GRADUALLY before turning the PC on.
Next temperatures to be aware of are the temperatures that your PC keeps track of internally. We use the free utility, Speedfan, to tell us internal info. You can download it here: http://www.download.com/SpeedFan/3000-2094_4-10067444.html?tag=lst-1
Maximum temperature of CPUs and other internal components is around 50 degrees C (122 degrees F). If your internal temps are much higher (above 70 dec. C) then the odds are good you are heading for a shutdown. There are several solutions as simple as cleaning up dust bunnies, cooling the room or getting a new internal cooling fan.
Printers and Monitors like the same moderate temperatures as PCs. DO NOT try to operate a Printer below 40 degrees F. Lots of bad things can happen!
If you have questions about your PC's temperatures give us a call or email.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
#114 - Moving up, Moving on - Best way to transfer files.
With many customers moving on to new PCs, we struggle with the best way to move our data AND programs to the new PC.
Let's look at moving data issue first. Where you store your data is the main issue here. Hopefully you have organized your files in your My Documents folder. If you have done this then its not to bad to move the My Documents folder to your USB flash drive or an external hard drive. If you look at your My Computer you should see your flash drive or external hard drive as your E: or some other drive letter. Now double click on C:, double click on Documents and Settings, double click on your user name (might be Owner or Administrator), then click once My Documents. You can now click on the copy this folder item in the File and Folders task left side panel. It will prompt you for the copy location and you can find your E: (or whatever letter ) and click on it.
The problem in moving files happens when not all your files are in My Documents. You may be storing your Quicken or Quickbooks files someplace else. If you aren't sure where the files are stored, go into that program and do a Backup to the My Documents folder and you'll be covered.
Moving Programs to a new PC usually requires taking the original CD and installing it on the new PC. You then have to restore the data from your My Documents. YOU CANNOT JUST COPY THE FOLDER of the program to the new PC. You can't do this because most programs install their files in MANY locations on your PC, not just the Program File folder. There may be some other setting files you might need to restore, so you might have to contact the program manufacturer.
Let's look at moving data issue first. Where you store your data is the main issue here. Hopefully you have organized your files in your My Documents folder. If you have done this then its not to bad to move the My Documents folder to your USB flash drive or an external hard drive. If you look at your My Computer you should see your flash drive or external hard drive as your E: or some other drive letter. Now double click on C:, double click on Documents and Settings, double click on your user name (might be Owner or Administrator), then click once My Documents. You can now click on the copy this folder item in the File and Folders task left side panel. It will prompt you for the copy location and you can find your E: (or whatever letter ) and click on it.
The problem in moving files happens when not all your files are in My Documents. You may be storing your Quicken or Quickbooks files someplace else. If you aren't sure where the files are stored, go into that program and do a Backup to the My Documents folder and you'll be covered.
Moving Programs to a new PC usually requires taking the original CD and installing it on the new PC. You then have to restore the data from your My Documents. YOU CANNOT JUST COPY THE FOLDER of the program to the new PC. You can't do this because most programs install their files in MANY locations on your PC, not just the Program File folder. There may be some other setting files you might need to restore, so you might have to contact the program manufacturer.
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