Compatable win 7 card reader

[scla0001]

Hello,
can anyone recommend a suitable win 7 card reader

 

[jakes_winteam]

What kind of card reader are you asking about?

Enter in what you're looking for at the Windows 7 Compatibility center first, under Hardware, to see if what's compatible - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/windows-7/en-us/Default.aspx?type=Hardware

 

[Onus]

Are you talking about a memory card reader? These typically mount in an external drive bay, and attach to one or more of your motherboards USB headers. Each card type typically receives its own drive letter. It is best to install this device AFTER installing Windows, to be sure that your physical drives' letter assignments come first.

 

[scla0001]

thanks JTT .I meant a memory card reader. as I read that some were not compatable with win 7. I wanted to purchase the correct one and not waste money

 

[scla0001]

hi also need help in setting up a backup drive for my wndows weekly schedule backup on win 7 ultimate

 

[Onus]

You have 2-3 choices on a backup drive.
The quickest and easiest to implement, and the fastest in use, would be to add a second internal SATA drive to your system. Advantages include low cost, high speed, and ease of use. Disadvantages include essentially no upgrade path when the drive fills with backup sets other than replacing the drive with a bigger one, and no security against a system-wide disaster like a fire in the building or a theft of the box.
An alternative would be to use an external drive. If eSATA, you keep the speed advantages, but it will be a little more expensive. If USB, you utterly lose any speed advantage, but if you schedule your backups for no- (or low-) usage periods, that may not be an issue. Since an external drive can be carried offsite, you lose the system-wide failure problems, but you may add cost if you rotate a set of them to keep a drive offsite at all times.
An option that loses most of those disadvantages is to use an external hard drive dock. You just slide a conventional hard drive into it. If it's eSATA, once again you have full speed. Costs are higher than an internal drive, but not by very much. Expansion is as easy as getting another drive, and you can keep one offsite for added safety. The only disadvantage that comes to mind is durability of the plug-in connectors, but the dock can always be replaced.

 

[scla0001]

I am sorry neglected to mention that I am using a dell inspiron 1501 laptop.

 

[Onus]

Ah. Well then, you're probably limited to an external USB drive, or dock. The points I made about them are still valid, just the emphasis shifts around. Same for the card reader; it's basically a USB device. I've got a couple that can each read I think 4-5 different formats, and another that reads just two.

 

[scla0001]

thanks jtt. Which libraries would you suggest I backup so that the important info for restoration would be saved on a usb drive

 

[Onus]

If you get something like Acronis True Image Home, you can back up your entire drive in a compressed format.

 

[scla0001]

okay will try this.thanks for all your advise

 

[Onus]

Yw. Those work pretty well for me.

 

[scla0001]

okay

 

[scla0001]

Yw. Those work pretty well for me.

what is YW

 

[Onus]

"You're Welcome"

 

[scla0001]

Best answer selected by scla0001.

 

[Overseerer]

For a laptop, im guessing you have USB ports, so id suggest picking up an external card reader powered by USB. You can get them at target for about $20. I have one for my laptop, its a 10 in 1, gets the job done, and since its USB, anyone in the house can use it (after asking and getting permission of course). laptops sometimes come with one built in, but it would only read 1 card type, i believe they make some PC Card upgrades/expansions with card readers but im not sure.