The least expensive way to do with is to simply connect both computers to the same home network, share the folder(s) that contain the files she wants to keep, and simply copy the files from the old machine to the new. Certainly you could use a flash drive as well. You don't need a >10 GB drive to copy the data unless it's one big file. Just copy the first 100 files, then the second 100, etc. A 4 GB drive should be under $10 and 8 GB under $15. For occasional use, it really doesn't matter what drive you buy.

Well I am using Mepis7.0 and a version of Ubuntu7.10 called gOS currently. I would recommend Mepis7.0 highly to any new users because most everything just works out of the box with Mepis with not too much tinkering around. Ubuntu is also a good choice however I much prefer the KDE desktop to the Gnome which comes with Ubuntu, so instead I would recommend Kubuntu which is Ubuntu with KDE instead of Gnome. I would NOT recommend gOS, I am a global moderator on the gOS forum and really it is just a mess, it is a very incomplete version and the people that put it out have changed it several times and not always for the better. So because of all the problems with it I just do not recommend it. The great thing about linux is there is a flavor for everyone! And lots of linux community out there willing to help. Changing from dial up in my opinion is absolutely one of the best moves a person can make! It becomes a whole new world. I am on verizon fios which I love because it is so stable and extremely fast. IF you get a good modem/router that has a built in Nat firewall on, and install a software firewall like zonealarm free you will be on your way to stopping the bad guys. With Linux of course that is less of a worry but there are firewalls and antivirus programs for linux, in fact in Mepis7 the guarddog firewall comes with it set up and on, as well as ClamAV antivirus, pretty neat since it is all free. Most of the versions of linux come as a live cd which means you can take the cd put it in your computer then reboot the pc so that it now boots from the cd drive (on some pc you have to set the boot order in the bios) when the pc boots up it is running off of the linux cd, nothing gets installed to your pc, you can log in to the demo and look around and use it just like it was installed on your computer, you can get a good feel for it that way and even browse the internet using the provided firefox browser. When you log off you take the cd out and next time you reboot you are right back to your regular pc. To install it once the live cd is in and you are running from it there is an install button right on the desktop of the linux distro you just hit install and follow the directions. Now if you are going to be doing a dual boot system that is more detailed since you will have to do some partitioning to keep your windows partition and create a new partition for linux to live on. But again that partition program is built right into the live cd and is pretty easy, however I would get some one who knows a little about partitioning to help out. You do not want to accidentally wipe out your windows!

Hi DA, On the back of the package it says this. Interface: USB 2.0 (Also compatable with USB 1.1 Ports) Operating System: Windows Vista, XP, 2000 Macintosh 9x and higher Linux kernel 2.6 x and higher Additional Functions: Password Security ( Supported on Windows operating systems only) Doesn't that Verbatim come with a U3 application already installed. I don't see it anywhere on the package. it should put an icon on your System Tray/Notification Area. Yes it does put an icon on my System Tray/Notification Area. When finished just double click on the U3 icon and a small window will appear in the lower right quadrant. Select Eject. When I double click on the Icon a box pops up and says this. Select the device that you want to unplug or eject, and then click Stop. When Windows notifies you that it is safe to do so unplug the device from your computer. Under Hardware Devices: USB Mass Storage Device I highlight USB Mass Storage Device and then click Stop and another box pops up and says,Confirm devices to be stopped. Choose OK to continue. Windows will attemp to stop the following devices, after the devices are stopped they may be removed safely. I highlight Verbatim Store'n'Go and click on OK. I hear a little pop noise and everything in that box including the one that I highlighted (Verbatim) disappears and so does the icon. That's when I know to pull out the USB Drive. That pop noise as I call it is a normal windows sound not a problem with the computer. Kind of like when I turn my printer on Windows makes a noise to let me know it has connected. That's about it, I hope that I explained it well enough for you to understand. Have a great day. "Smiles" thirdfrt!!!

The fact the computer said it was not recognised shows the computer is aware 'something' had been attached. As Kudzu notes, it may be defective. You could ask a family member or friend to try it in another computer to confirm that. You could burn the photos to a CD to give away if you do not want to buy another flash drive.