Laptop-Desktop issue

[Cancer Man]

I've got a work laptop and a personal desktop. There are a few programs I have on CD-ROM that I'd like to install on my laptop. I can't ask our IT guys to do it because it's against company policy to put "unauthorized" programs on our work computers. People do it anyway, though.

Here's my problem: I don't have an internal CD-ROM drive -- it's a Toshiba that's a few years old. I've thought about buying an external CD-ROM drive but don't want to spend much for it because I'm likely getting a new laptop by the end of the summer. However, I really, really need to put these programs on my laptop by next weekend.

I've been thinking of getting a Zip drive to store my mp3's ... would this serve my purposes? Put the programs on the Zip file and upload it to my laptop -- I don't have any experience with Zip drives as you can probably tell and don't even really know if I could use it this way. I like this option better because it's something I'd actually use for longer than a few months before throwing it away.

My desktop is a Dell and my laptop is a Toshiba -- in case it matters.

 

[EEE]

you could probably use something like this keychain flash ram. 1 gig of storage in a very tiny package for $70. or you can get 2GB for $90 . you probably have usb on your computers, but usb 2 will make it a lot nicer. zip drive == obsolete

 

[Rusk]

Take EEE's advice. Those little USB ram sticks are pretty sweet, and not too expensive for the amount of storage you get.

And they can be used with any computer that has USB ports.

Hopefully you do have USB 2.0, but on your older laptop you may not. Not a huge deal, 2.0 is just much faster.

 

[Cancer Man]

Thanks, fellas.

 

[idigTexas]

If the USB gizmo doesn't work, there may be an easier way. Assuming that both your laptop and desktop connect to a network, merely share your desktop's CD drive.

 

[Cancer Man]

Don't have a network so that's out.

I'm going to go look into the flash RAM today but there might be a problem -- don't I need to install drivers from a CD so the computer will recognize the device? If so, I'm back at square one.

 

[EEE]

you only need a driver if you use windows 98, otherwise its plug and play.

 

[Cancer Man]

Sadly, it's Windows 98. Can I get a driver from the Internet?

Sorry, EEE. I'm not very technologically savvy.