Explain Flash Drive to Me Please

[jinx]

I think I have an idea of what a flash drive is but not for certain. What I would like to do is be able to access files from my home desktop when I am out of town on my laptop. Is that feasible?

[pam123]

Here : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_drive

and here : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_flash_drive

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid-state_drive

Neither of which has anything to do with you accessing your home computer while on the road, if that's what you meant, unless you mean to carry the files with you on a flash drive.

If what you want is something like PC Anywhere or GoToMyPC, which will allow you to connect to your home PC/Server over the internet from any place with a web connection, it's something else entirely.

[jinx]

Thanks for the response. I guess what I'm asking is can I put stuff from my DT on a flash drive and then transfer it to my laptop? Thank you for the links. I will read the info. Where would I ask a question about an email problem that I am having? I can send emails from my laptop, but not when I am somewhere else(another state) with the laptop.

[rjfvillarosa]

Originally Posted by jinx Where would I ask a question about an email problem that I am having?

You can ask that question here:
http://forum.pcmech.com/forumdisplay.php?f=6
When you create the thread tell us what type of email account you are trying to access, pop3?(from your ISP, as in Outlook or Outlook Express) or web based? (ie: Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo mail)

[jinx]

Thank you. Will do.

[pam123]

If you remember to format the flash drive in FAT32 you can use it to carry compatible files with you that will work on Linux and Apple machines as well as Windows (There will be limits on file size and drive size if that's the case.).
If you don't have to do work across various operating systems then just format it NTFS and use it with any Vista or XP machine (There will be no size limits in that case.).

[jinx]

OK, first off both machines would be Vista. After that I am lost. I don't know how to do "formatting".

[pam123]

No problem, likely the drive you buy will come with instructions, and possibly software for syncing files, and if it isn't already formatted there will be instruction for how to go about it.
If you're unclear anyone here can walk you through it.

edit : Go over to newegg : http://www.newegg.com/Index.aspx?name=Home

There you can check out the flash drives, portable usb hard drives and, if your wallet can stand it, the new portable solid state drives (SSD).
You've a wide choice of options so take your time.
When you find a few you like comeback and tell us about them.

[trulad]

I have about 12 PowerPoint programs on my flash drive that I take into the classroom and plug it into any computer. I also,however have them backed up in my desktop should I lose the flash drive. What I like about using the flash drive I can make a change to a program minutes before the class if necessary, then when I come home back it up in my desk top.
trulad