Computers: Getting Personal With Computers
No matter how ubiquitous computer technology has become, true comfort and ease with computers remains elusive for much of the world. It’s no surprise that there are libraries’ worth of information online on the progenitor of the Web: the personal computer.
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Use the links in this section to learn how to transfer files to a new computer, and find out what you'll need to protect your personal information and data.
- Getting rid of your old computer? Be sure to protect your personal information, and responsibly dispose of the machine. For more information, see the, “Computer Recycling and Donating Computers” section of this guide.
- If you purchased and installed software programs on your old computer, hold onto the installation disks so you can install it on your new computer.
For switching to a new computer …
The Telegraph
has a series on how to transfer files to a new PC. Though the information is directed primarily at Windows users, the majority of the advice is applicable to Mac users. Continue with
part 2,
part 3,
part 4 and
part 5. For those switching to the newer Windows Vista OS, check out this series:
part 1 and
part 2.
Apple
offers help on transferring your music files to a new computer using an iPod. If you use iTunes, and especially if you have purchased music on it, following these instructions will make sure all files work properly on the new machine. Make sure to read the
link about authorization and deauthorization carefully.
Microsoft
helps you transfer files to a new Windows Vista machine. The download is free, but if you want a special cable to assist in the transfer, there's a charge. If you don’t want to spring for the cable, your local computer store most likely has a substitute. For more information on migrating to Vista, read
this help page from Microsoft.
Charlie Arehart’s Blog
takes you through the steps of creating a “virtual machine” to hold your old computer on your new one. This may not be for everyone, but it is an interesting way to keep all the details of your computer’s setup handy for future use.
To switch from a Windows PC to a Mac …
Apple
organized all of its guides for PC-to-Mac switchers here to simplify the daunting task and turn it into a step-by-step process.
My First Mac
covers everything you need to know to switch to a Mac from a PC, including how to move files.
The Tao of Mac
presents a post on “How to Switch to the Mac.” Find detailed tips that are written by a user for a user.
There are a number of computer recycling and donating options available if you ... read more »
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