Computer question- Laptop's low disk space & flash drives?

[Imzadi]

I have only 137 MB of space available on my 5GB laptop. Every once in a while I get that flashing message for "low disk space" warning. Can I simply buy one of those 2 GB USB flash drives to expand the space? Or do I have to get an external hard drive? They are more expensive. I have Win ME.

 

[LoraJ]

I guess it depends on how you use your computer. Do you mostly use it at home? Or do you travel with it.

I have a 256gb firewire drive that I hook my laptop up to at home. This is where all of my photos, music files, video files etc are stored.

If you travel with the laptop and need to store documents, then a flash drive may work well for you. But for not much more than a 2gb flash drive, you can get a decent external drive.

 

[chadfromdallas]

5GB and Windows ME? I think you're screaming for a new laptop

Neither will "expand" that hard drive. They will both just add another hard drive to your computer.

 

[Forevryoung]

Self proclaimed computer nerd here and I say go with the external drive! I bought a 200gb one for $120 after rebates. You can get a cheaper one (with much less space) for around $40.

 

[Charade]

You could but for the price of that 2GB flash drive, you could get a external HD (like LoraJ described). Her's sounds like the larger (home PC type drive) whereas you can get an external harddrive (uses laptop size harddives) that is much smaller. About the size of 2 decks of cards. They are smaller 40 or 60 GBs but they don't have to be plugged into the AC outlet. They plug into your USB port. It will show up as an other drive letter when it's attach.

Something like this:

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=50336384&pfp=BROWSE

I don't know if that's a great price. You'd have to shop around.

 

[chadfromdallas]

You could but for the price of that 2GB flash drive, you could get a external HD (like LoraJ described). Her's sounds like the larger (home PC type drive) whereas you can get an external harddrive (uses laptop size harddives) that is much smaller. About the size of 2 decks of cards. They are smaller 40 or 60 GBs but they don't have to be plugged into the AC outlet. They plug into your USB port. It will show up as an other drive letter when it's attach.

Something like this:

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=50336384&pfp=BROWSE

I don't know if that's a great price. You'd have to shop around.

She is running Windows ME. That laptop has 1.1 USB. Although it can be backwards compatible, I'm willing to bet:

1. It doesn't run enough power
2. It will be so slow, that its not worth it

 

[Charade]

She is running Windows ME. That laptop has 1.1 USB. Although it can be backwards compatible, I'm willing to bet:

1. It doesn't run enough power
2. It will be so slow, that its not worth it

Most likely but a new laptop may be too expensive for her right now. You can get a USB 2.0 PCcard and the larger external drive for way less than a new laptop.

The choice is about $150 for an external HD and USB 2.0 card or at minimum $800 for a new laptop.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

Chad is right, a laptop of that vintage will not have good USB support. If you really can't replace the computer your best bet might be a new hard drive for it, just don't get one that is too big, it won't see it. It also means a reload

 

[chadfromdallas]

The choice is about $150 for an external HD and USB 2.0 card or at minimum $800 for a new laptop.

With rebates, you can get a brand new laptop for around $600.

 

[Charade]

With rebates, you can get a brand new laptop for around $600.

Still 4 times the cost.

 

[Imzadi]

5GB and Windows ME? I think you're screaming for a new laptop

I know Chad. Until I get enough money to get a spiffy new laptop, (a GOOD one, not the cheapest I can afford,) I'm hoping for a cheapy, interim option. And yeah, Windows ME. Laptop has 1.1 USB.

How it's running now, even at "so slow," this is "normal" for me. Luckily, I haven't been on someone else's super-speed computer, so I'm screaming in agony over what I'm missing.

And to answer LoraJ's Q, I use it mainly at home - propped up on a bed tray, typing, while sitting on the couch. But I don't think an external drive, hanging off, will bother me too much, if that's the recommended route.

 

[safetymom]

Why not do some housecleaning on the laptop? Surely you don't need all the files that are on the laptop. Burn some of the ones you don't use all the to CD's and you might open up enough room you don't need to buy anything.

 

[Imzadi]

Why not do some housecleaning on the laptop? Surely you don't need all the files that are on the laptop.

I've done that already. Deleted all unnecessary programs & files. What is taking up most of the space is all the system operating files to operate each program. I basically have MS Works, a couple of photo editting programs (taking up the most space,) necessary word docs, a handful of pics I need for business, spyware programs, Windows Media player, my DSL, & AOL. That's IT!

Once I dump AOL, it will free up a lot of MB, but it still won't be much.

 

[Charade]

Why not do some housecleaning on the laptop? Surely you don't need all the files that are on the laptop. Burn some of the ones you don't use all the to CD's and you might open up enough room you don't need to buy anything.

Ha!!! I just keep adding larger harddrives to my PC. I like keeping 300 gigabytes of crap around. You never know when you'll need something from 1997.

 

[Imzadi]

Ha!!! I just keep adding larger harddrives to my PC. I like keeping 300 gigabytes of crap around. You never know when you'll need something from 1997.

Wow, I was just hoping for an extra 2 GB to tide me over. LOL.
I can't even download any MP3 songs for the MP3 player I want to get. I'm living way too small, computer-wise.