What's the best reinstall?

Regarding your usb connections, you may not be in a hurry but the expectation of today's computer users is built around speed as well as power transfer. As with all things technology, when superior hardware is developed, it eventually supercedes the older hardware standard.
USB-A type connections will eventually be phased out in favor of the superior USB-C connection type, but it will probably take years before USB-A type connections are phased out entirely.

PennsyNut said:

Thanks a huge amount! What I find funny is to use a DVD. I've noticed that a lot of new PC's don't even have the drive anymore.
But since I didn't have one on the laptop, I got a USB DVD drive for it. Just to have the options.
Now I have USB-c on the new PC. But I haven't seen anything yet that needs USB-c.
Heck, I don't even have USB 3.0 on the PC. Why not? Because with all the USB I do own, I never worry about how long it takes to transfer. Heck when I copied a huge file to a 256 GB, I just let it run overnight. Where's the fire? I have learned to have patience when working on a PC.
Changing subject: What is a USB-c for? Is there danger of it replacing standard USB?

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One nice thing about USB-C is that the plug can be inserted either way. Variants exist that can be used as a video connection (for a monitor) and/or for carrying power to recharge devices like cell phones.

There are a number of USB standards that are distinct from the connector type. The latest I have is USB 3.2 Gen2X2, which supports a nominal 20Gbps. USB 2.0 is a maximum of 480Mbps.

The faster connections tend to use USB-C, but it's not required. Some of the Type A ports on my motherboard are USB 3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps).

There are USB Type A to Type C adapters. Compatibility with old USB devices isn't guaranteed, though.

Too much information: USB - Wikipedia

If you use a NAS (network attached storage), high bandwidth connections are wanted. (I don't have one.)

PennsyNut said:

Thanks a huge amount! What I find funny is to use a DVD. I've noticed that a lot of new PC's don't even have the drive anymore.

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Yeah, i haven't had a machine with an optical drive (CD/DVD) in almost 10 years now. I do have one external USB DVD-RW drive that I could use if i ever had to. With that said, I don't even know where it's at.

PennsyNut said:

Now I have USB-c on the new PC. But I haven't seen anything yet that needs USB-c.

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USB-c "can" be faster than regular USB ports. Typical USB 3 ports supported a max speed of 5Gbps, which comes out to around 625MB/sec (at max theoretical with perfect efficiency). However, you could have USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports that look just like regular USB 3 ports, which support 10Gbps, just like USB-c. On my desktop, I have 8 regular USB A type ports that are 3.2 Gen 2x2. That gives you around 1250MB/sec (at max theoretical with perfect efficiency.

USB-c speeds of 10Gbps are only really applicable these days to portable NVMe drives. A regular SSD nor HDD is going to be able to hit 625MB/sec.

PennsyNut said:

Changing subject: What is a USB-c for? Is there danger of it replacing standard USB?

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I'm not sure it would be a "danger" sort of thing. Eventually regular old USB will go away. My current Windows laptop only has USB-c ports. Mac laptops only have USB-C type ports anymore. One can always get a USB hub that plugs into a USB-c port and provides you with the old style USB connectors.

USB-c is just the port connector. Best part is that you don't have to worry if you are plugging in right or upside down, it works either way. And it's a universal standard, Android phones use it as their standard port for data and charging, and Apple is joining now finally on the new iPhone 15's.

Computer monitors now connect via USB-C and can even have a dock built in as well as power pass through. So, if you plug in the single USB-C port from your monitor to your laptop, it can charge the laptop through this connection.

It's fantastic that everything is starting to use this connector. Even little portable rechargeable type things are starting to use USB-c ports for charging. This way, you don't have to have a half dozen different cables for everything you need to charge. One cable could do it all.

My main laptop computer has only 3 USB-C ports. One is USB-C 3.2 and the other two are USB-C Thunderbolt 4. All my peripherals are now either USB-C or Bluetooth.

PennsyNut said:

What is a USB-c for?

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USB-C simply has better data transfer rates, symmetry in its connection to help avoid frustration and broken connections, and the ability to charge large electronics. In addition USB-C allows for greater power transfer speeding up the process of charging your devices.

A USB-C cord designated “USB 3” you can transfer large files faster.

The sad thing is: Most computers that "most" people use do have USB-a, but 2.0. I did have USB-a 3.0 on Windows 10, but got rid of that. My new PC has USB-a but only 2.0, and the USB-c. So I'm OK for the future. However, the laptop only has USB-a and I don't even know if it is 2.0 or 3.0.
I never worry about speed. So the 2.0 is totally satisfactory for me.
But now I'm going to have to get a c to a converter if I want to use USB-c on the laptop.
As I have been saying. All this continual updating is almost more than us old fogeys can stand.
The 3" floppy to the 8" floppy to the 3.5 floppy; then the CD, then the DVD, and both in write only and read/write. Then the USB 2.0, followed by USB 3.0. And now USB-c. When is it going to end?
And what do we do with all those old 3", 8", 3.5",CD-R & RW, DVD-R & RW, USB-a 2.0 & now USB-a 3.0. OR 3.2? Pretty soon, after we got to USB-c, all the rest of the stuff is JUNK.
And all the photos we have on CD or DVD are wasted. Or we have to take the time to transfer all to USB-c. ???
At least, a model T car would still run. Although I don't know about what type of gasoline it would do so on.
I still have a box of 8" floppies for a document writing software. That I never did get around to using. I should have thrown them away a long time ago.

...regarding the USB-C to a front port... Why? Most phones I know of don't come with both ends of C connector. It's A to C

PennsyNut said:

Thanks a huge amount! What I find funny is to use a DVD. I've noticed that a lot of new PC's don't even have the drive anymore.
But since I didn't have one on the laptop, I got a USB DVD drive for it. Just to have the options.
Now I have USB-c on the new PC. But I haven't seen anything yet that needs USB-c.
Heck, I don't even have USB 3.0 on the PC. Why not? Because with all the USB I do own, I never worry about how long it takes to transfer. Heck when I copied a huge file to a 256 GB, I just let it run overnight. Where's the fire? I have learned to have patience when working on a PC.
Changing subject: What is a USB-c for? Is there danger of it replacing standard USB?

Click to expand...

Oh dear, you have a lot of catching up to do understanding the, what is now standard, current technology.

Type C - your search engine is your friend

PennsyNut said:

What is a USB-c for?

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I have two things that use USB-C. My phone and a rechrgeable flashlight.

PennsyNut said:

Is there danger of it replacing standard USB?

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Yes, it will one day become the standard. Not to fret though, USB-C to USB-A cables are readilly available. I beleive the UK already passed a law to make it thier standard.

PennsyNut said:

First of all. I am a novice. Do not understand computers very well/much.

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I've sometimes thought it would be a good idea if this forum had a TeamViewer style support section to help novices.
But I'm sure you'll get plenty of support regardless of that.

PennsyNut said:

Thanks a huge amount! What I find funny is to use a DVD. I've noticed that a lot of new PC's don't even have the drive anymore.
But since I didn't have one on the laptop, I got a USB DVD drive for it. Just to have the options.
Now I have USB-c on the new PC. But I haven't seen anything yet that needs USB-c.
Heck, I don't even have USB 3.0 on the PC. Why not? Because with all the USB I do own, I never worry about how long it takes to transfer. Heck when I copied a huge file to a 256 GB, I just let it run overnight. Where's the fire? I have learned to have patience when working on a PC.
Changing subject: What is a USB-c for? Is there danger of it replacing standard USB?

Click to expand...

Here is a great example of an external storage device that uses USB-C.

When I say I am a novice. The funny part is not that I'm new to PC's. My first was Windows 3.1. And I'm 85 yrs old. For a cell phone, still use the flip phone. I finally figured out how to use text. So it's not the technology, it's me. I tend to be over my head with computers.
I can view a tutorial for hours and get exasperated with trying to decide what of the options I should try. The terminology is awkward when there's 2, 3 or even more words that mean the same thing. Reboot = restart = ??? That was the first of many duplicates. And the Windows mess to start. Egads, with a car, it's a key or a push the button. (But of course, put your foot on the brake now.) But with a PC, it's "click the little blue icon in the lower left corner". Then look to the bottom right for the little icon that is a sideways C and a little i at the top and click on it. And then decide if you want to restart, shut down, sleep/and/or hibernate if you have that.
I'm not complaining, just pointing out facts.
The external storage - Yes. I like the red one! But as I've been saying. More expense. It's bad enough to buy a new PC for $500 or more, and then have to spend $80 for an external storage. Not to mention all the new stuff that is or will be a must. USB-c adapters if all you have is USB-a.
Is it worth it? Of course.
I'm learning every day. More and more. But I'm still overwhelmed!

PennsyNut said:

I'm learning every day. More and more. But I'm still overwhelmed!

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Absolutely. But you have to realize when it's a swamp!

Stigg said:

I've sometimes thought it would be a good idea if this forum had a TeamViewer style support section to help novices.

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There are times I've wished for it. Would save a lot of time and effort on our part. Would also be a teaching tool. But I don't think folks would allow total strangers with no names to access their machines.

I help a lot of people around my town and used to try to walk novices through this or that over the phone. They call me for everything. I was on the verge of having a nervous breakdown but knew they wouldn't stop calling so I bought Anydesk. It's $15 a month out of my pocket but at least it helps me stay sane. Now I can fix something in 5 minutes that used to take an hour and a lot of hair pulling.

PennsyNut said:

But I'm still overwhelmed!

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We all are...daily.

What I feel is a problem. Is that when I have to ask a question, and get so many answers that I get overwhelmed and confused. It don't take much to confuse me, an old fogey! And then it gets worse. 6 months later, I get the same problem and can't remember the solution. So I, for one old fogey, do sincerely appreciate all of you. Patience is a virtue! And I know it takes patience for you to keep answering the same questions over and over again.

PennsyNut said:

What I feel is a problem. Is that when I have to ask a question, and get so many answers that I get overwhelmed and confused. It don't take much to confuse me, an old fogey! And then it gets worse. 6 months later, I get the same problem and can't remember the solution. So I, for one old fogey, do sincerely appreciate all of you. Patience is a virtue! And I know it takes patience for you to keep answering the same questions over and over again.

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Most of us other old fogies, make text files of "what we just did", and save them all in a folder somewhere.

Prime example. Had a problem with one particular web site. Couldn't get it to accept my "click" on a button. I'd click and it wouldn't respond or change. So the action I needed to accomplish simply didn't happen. I had to call the company to complete the transaction. Also, had to file an email request to get it fixed. And as of today, it still isn't fixed. So, all I can surmise from this is that it's technology that is at fault. Technologists that have to figure out what the problem is and how to fix it.
And basically, that's what y'all are attempting to do when answering the questions. And gathering all the facts necessary. "What MS version do you use? Windows 10 or 11 or ?. What browser? What did you mean? Folders or files. Is it uninstall or reinstall? Do you need to uninstall before a new install? Or can you install and it will just override the old one?

PennsyNut said:

answering the same questions over and over again

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We wouldn't be here if we didn't want to do it.
Folks don't realize the forum has a search function. Use the advanced search to get better results.
You can search my user too.