USB / Software

[pc49]

Hi everybody, simple question for you I imagine.- I have a laptop & a pc, I am wondering if I download all future programmes to a USB hard drive & maybe use it instead of my C drive will I be able to use it on both my computers. At the moment I am particularly interested in downloading a translation programme, also my hard drives are getting full so am looking to save future problems. Thanks for taking the trouble to read this, thanks. Ed.pc49

[Guest Wolfeymole]

You can download programs to next doors shed Eddie but they will still have to install to C\Windows\Program Files mate.

[pc49]

Thanks

 

Thanks for quick reply Wolfy but they do'nt have a shed next door:). So,-- will I be able to copy the prog to a usb drive then install it on my other computer???. Thanks Ed.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Are you saying that one of the pc's does not have internet access and therefore you wish to, say burn the program to a disk, to install on the other pc?

 

You could transfer the executable file to any removable media and then install it from there.

[pc49]

????

 

Hi Wolfey, thanks again for quick reply. Both my comps are on the internet but I thought that I could only download commercial progs only once. Sorry, what is an executable file. Thanks for your patience, (give me a gearbox to repair any day). Thanks Ed ,pc49

[Guest Wolfeymole]

All programs, for example, Microsoft Office has a .exe (executable) file within it, these are what is needed to "run" the program.

 

If these 2 computers in your house are networked then all you need to do is put the program in the shared folder thereby saving multiple downloads.

 

What you must be very aware of is finding .exe attachments within an email, NEVER open these unless you are absolutely sure of where they have come from.

[pc49]

Thanks Wolfey

 

Looks Like I need to set up a network, will consult my "pc for dummies". Will get back to you if I get stuck (more than likely). Thanks. Ed. pc49

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Have a look here also Eddie.

 

Windows XP: Setting up your network

[Tootech]

There is another way.....

 

Depending of the size of the installation, you may be able to install to a USB stick and run from there from any PC you wish.

 

U3 is a standard interface for USB, and generally programs can be installed and run from there. The U3 downside is that not all software comes in U3 - in fact a lot doesn't.

 

There is yet another way.....there are programs that turn your USB stick into a mini hard drive, so you can install to them, as you need to.

 

Worth a look - here's the links.

 

Bring the power of portable software to your USB flash drive - make it a U3 smart drive!

 

PortableApps.com - Portable software for USB drives

 

Ceedo – flexible computing through virtualization - Ceedo Personal

 

Argo - Overview

[pc49]

Hi Tootech, I have a 40 GB USB drive which I assume is the same as a large capacity USB stick so I am hoping to use that. It's just that I'm frightened of downloading a €80 programme to my pc and something goes wrong (as it often does) so I would like to have a duplicate on my laptop or on my USB drive. I will look into the links that you have kindly outlined. At present I am trying to get my comps talking to each other (think they must be married). Thanks again. Eddie. pc49.