Genealogy Chat

I think this need a nudge in case anyone missed it. ann

Judy, I have to write Idiot guides at work for testing and maunfacture, I know how hard it is to include every step. If you miss one out it is never the operators fault for not doing the obviouse but yours for not puting it in the instruction. Bob

Something to keep in mind about Floppy disks....if you leave the floppy disk in the A drive and shut down your computer and then start your computer, you'll get a blank screen....the computer can't start with a floppy disk that is inserted in the A Drive....simply pop the disk out. No message will pop up on your screen letting you know that you forgot to remove a floppy disk....something you just have to know. Don't want anyone panicking should this occur. Leaving the disk in the A drive does not harm the computer or the information on the disk....... Judy

Bob: My heartfelt apologies for underestimating the idiots! LOL....Honestly though, computer manufacturers I think like to keep people in the dark .....it keeps their technicians rolling in money. I was once in the same place as many others, here on the boards. I am fortunate that I have technicians who run our business and more or less forced my hand as they got tired of answering and correcting the little things that they felt I should be able to do myself. Once explained, it was a piece of cake.....and it is, once someone takes the time to explain. There are no stupid questions when it comes to knowing about and taking care of your computer. Judy :)

Judy Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! Am printing off instructions at this minute! (Why can't I print off directly from GC by the way - just get a blank page)? I've been really clever and pasted to Word :)) At this rate I might soon lose my computer idiot status, with your help, Judy, and others on the boards, I am getting better...honestly!!! Dierdre X

Judy and Brian, Please be very careful when writing idiot guides. Everyone under estimates the enginuity of idiots! ;-))))) Bob

Brian....Guilty as charged! Oh, the shame! LOLOL! Judy

I agree with all the above but you can't beat printing it out onto good old PAPER when you have some decent data!! Anne

Go for it Deirdre ~ I'm a pooter dunce but I can do it.. and with Judys instructions it should be a piece of cake :o)

Fantastic detailed guide Judy. However, if it's a real idiots guide, you missed out putting the floppy into the A drive before you try to reload data. ;-))))

Diedre: As Brian mentioned, floppy disks are limited as to how much you put on it but it's the next best thing. You can get floppy disks at your local PC shop....the clerk can help you pick out what you need....the cost of floppies is minimal. You'll most like need several floppy disks to back up if you have a lot of files. Place the floppy disk in the "A" Drive....the small slot located on your computer tower. Then to back up the information you want to save, do this: 1. Locate your family tree information or files that you want to save. 2. Place your mouse over the file and RIGHT CLICK. 3. A drop down box will appear. Click or move your mouse to SEND TO. 4. More options willl appear. Click on 3 1/2 FLPPY (A). 5. A pop up will appear on your screen showing files "flying" from one yellow file folder to another.....this means the files are transferring a copy of your work from your computer to the Floppy disk. Continue the steps above until the files you want backed are all on the floppy. You can put quite a few files on one floppy. When the computer tells you the disk is full, simply put in a fresh new floppy and continue sending files to the A drive until your done. Floppy disks are erasable and reusable. There is also a small square window looking thing at the bottom of each floppy. This is a lock that you can slide open and closed so that you don't accidentally erase anything on the disk. Slide the little box and it will unlock so you can erase if you choose later to reuse the floppy. Make sure you review the floppy to make sure it actually retained the information you sent. To do that, do this: 1. Click on Start 2. Click on My Computer 3. Click on 3 1/2 Floppy (A) You should see your files now. You can click on the files to open them and view just like if they were on your computer. If you were to lose the actual files on your computer and need to put them back on your computer you would do this: 1. Click on Start 2. Click on My Computer 3. Click on 3 1/2 Floppy (A) 4. RIGHT CLICK on the file and a drop down box appears. A drop down box will appear. Click or move your mouse to SEND TO. 5. More options willl appear. Choice MY DOCUMENTS. The liitle yellow folders will appear and you'll note the flying papers.....which means a copy of your files is going from the floppy to the computer....to your MY DOCUMENTS folder. Any questions or problems, give me a shout. Judy

Floppies are a bit limited for capacity if you want to back up all your data and not just family tree stuff. If you can, get a rewriteable CD installed in your computer or add an external one.

|get some floppy discs and do it this weekend everyone... KIM

Help!!! I don't think I know how!!!! Dierdre :-( X

You've scared me to death Ann! I'll make it my task for this weekend. Jeanette

Please read my tale of woe on Judy's latest thread re Adaware. I can't emphasize enough the need to back up, off the computer, all your work, everything. It is so depressing to lose it. And take hard copies too (belts and braces), I am not the only one this has happened to recently, the more time you spend on the internet, regardless of the precautions you take, the more likely you are going to hit a problem. Please don't think 'it won't happen to me'. Thank goodness most of my stuff was backed up on disc and floppy, and in hard copies. (I am writing this on my husband's computer). Ann glos