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Hey Guys, I would like to take my computer tower offline and keep the programs I have now and continue to use it - it's win 10, yes, it's old and going to lose support but nothing wrong with it and I really don't want to upgrade all my programs.) Instead I thought maybe I could buy a new laptop for online use and transfer finished stuff from the old tower onto it to post. Is this easy to do? I'm not sure how? Please forgive if it's an ignorant question.... As many of you know I'm just coming out of two years of grief hell and trying to save money and still enjoy making music and video editing once again. Your thoughts and advice???? BTW, When I moved back to metro Nashville I no longer have a music room, so I was going to just quit but when it comes to me and music to sort of quote a song - I got it too deep inside.  I've actually started playing my guitar again...and getting my voice back. Not that I'd let anyone hear me right now I'm just soothing my soul - but that's for another thread. Thanks in advance y'all.
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Josie, There are several ways to transfer files between computers. One of the cheapest and easiest ways is to use USB flash memory sticks. Plug a USB flash memory stick into a USB port and Windows 10 and higher recognizes the memory stick as temporary memory complete with a drive letter. Copy files from your computer onto the temporary memory drive letter. Right click on the drive letter and select "Eject" from the right click menu. Unplug the USB flash memory stick from your computer USB port. Plug the USB flash memory stick into a USB port of the second computer. Copy files from the temporary memory drive letter. BestBuy, WalMart, Staples and Office Depot are four brick and mortar stores that sell USB flash memory sticks. +++ BestBuy +++ has a three pack of 32 GB memory sticks for $10.99.
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Jim, Thank You! That sounds easy enough.
Now most of these programs "call home" for lack of better words for example do you think I'll be able to use BIAB/RB or Izotope, etc... and how would I get the product updates if there are any. I suppose I could update everything right before the win support stops but will I be able to use the programs offline ya think?
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Sundance I had the same problem. That is a music computer that I want off-line and an internet computer. What I have done is purchase a KVM switch, that is a Keyboard, Video, Mouse switch: https://kceve.com/product/2x1-usb-3-0-kvm-switch/This allows one keyboard and one mouse control two computers. I picked the above KVM switch as it also allows me to content a printer and a USB flash memory stick also, i.e. that eliminates the plugging and unplugging of the memory stick. I keep the Ethernet card disabled on my music computer; you do this via the device manager. When I need to update a program I activate then immediately after disable it again. FYI - I am also looking for a Win 11 internet computer. I am leaning towards a micro computer. You can get a some for under $400. You might want to check them out also.
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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you can downoad the update files and use aa USB stick to transfer them in the same way. then just run them from the usb stick and you can update. that's for patches and so on. but for program upgrades and other larger downloads just get them from PG on a stick in the first place.
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Hi, Josie. The only thing that losing Windows support means is that you won't get Windows updates from Microsoft. But anti-malware programs should still be keeping current for older machines, so (in theory) you can still run your current computer online with about the same level of risk as you currently are if you switch to an anti-malware program that continues to support Windows 10. But minimizing the time that you are offline will help reduce that risk even more. As Mario also suggested, you always have the option of temporarily putting your current computer back online, just for when you want to perform updates. As to moving files, I agree with what others have said - just transfer the files between the two computers using a USB key. Or if you got one of the USB drives for your BiaB, you can use that and save yourself some money. If you're considering going the KVM route that Mario suggested, you might have a look at getting an inexpensive mini PC. They're basically laptop computers in a very small box. You have to supply the keyboard, mouse and screen (which is why they're cheaper than laptops), but with an KVM switch, you can toggle between the two computers with the touch of a button.
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Surprised nobody brought this one up ..
Since both computers can join the same home network when online, I'd just transfer what I want over the network vs running back and forth with a USB stick.
There are a couple steps, the computers have to be discoverable while on the network, then you can just share the folders you want to move.
Copy what you want
Afterwards take it offline and it is no longer discoverable.
Just another way to go.
I have a shared folder on a computer, anything I want to copy to another machine in the house goes in that folder (whether another computer of mine, the wife's or daughter's) I just put it in that folder and the other machine can grab it.
If the shared machine is offline nobody can see it.
Gotta admit though, everybody knows how to do the USB route ... so likely easier
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Hi, Josie.
The only thing that losing Windows support means is that you won't get Windows updates from Microsoft... This is very useful info, THANKS, David! Bought a dedicated DAW about seven years ago, and it's still performing GREAT at my level of usage. Unfortunately it just missed the cut off for Windows 11 processor support. Hate to retire it if all I need to do is subscribe to malware prevention...
Last edited by DC Ron; 12/05/24 03:09 PM.
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Hate to retire it if all I need to do is subscribe to malware prevention... You definitely don't need to retire it. Until quite recently a small laptop of mine was running Win8.1. The only reason it doesn't still is that an update to Win8.1 broke the dual-boot into Linux and, as I no longer have to test sowtware compatibilty with older Windows versions, I just blew away Win8.1 and installed a new Linux on the whole drive. I still have a Win2K laptop here for an old probram that won't run on later Wins. It was working fine last time I checked, but the battery is now really strugling and the display hinges are cracked. If you have a broadband router, it probably has a firewall, so another option is to use that to block access to/from the Internet. I think Microsoft is trying to frighten/bully people into getting more recent versions and that's becoming a significant issue now they're tieing OS versions to CPU versions. A little bit of Linux advocacy. All but one of my PCs run Linux, only a few have Windows. For most everyday stull Linux is excellent, though one typically uses platform agnostic applications, rather than Windows or Mac targetted applications. Firefox/Chrom*/Opera/etc., Thunderbird, LibreOffice, etc., all of which are mature and stable. It doesn't work out so well with BiaB, but a number of DAWs are available (Ardour, Reaper, BitWig, Mixbus,). Liunux doesn't require us to download drivers and most hardware 'just works'. If/when a PC ever seems to no longer allow Windows, consider the switch. There are a number of very user-friendy Linux distributions out there ... Mint, Arch, Ubuntu,...). An against: Older machines do typically use more power per performance than newer machines. Doing the power-cost calculations makes keeping old machines look less attractive.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Sundance hope this helps a tad. ive always used 2 pc's. one...sandboxed for music production and tother for the net. thanks to gordon scott over the past year i got heavily into small hold in your hand pc's which now have 'processing power' instead. i underestimated them. so currently i use a ryzen mini for music production. (400 bucks.) and a cute fanless pc (only 140 bucks) for net i'm typing this on. both boot darn fast. but a caveat...i wouldnt use the fanless for doing heavy duty music production. with power hungry plugins. for light duty ok. if you do anticipate getting another pc to save me oodles of typing please read my tips in the pg tips forum re optimising a current pc or buying a new one. https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=795663#Post795663merry xmas. om .
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 12/06/24 04:24 AM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs(90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Hate to retire it if all I need to do is subscribe to malware prevention... You definitely don't need to retire it... Thanks, Gordon!
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Y'all have helped me feel so much better! Glad I'm not the only one DC Ron. Lots of info here to consider. I have antimalware bytes already I can use again so that's great to know David. I share a wireless network with a neighbor so the stick like Jim said is probably my easiest route rharv and Bob. I've never even thought of a mini so I will check that out for sure Mario and OM. I was thinking of getting a laptop so I won't be tied to the desk all the time. In the summer the a/c in here sounds like a wind tunnel on the tarmac at the airport with a jet taking off - it's really loud. I've never owned a laptop but the portability sounds nice. Gordon, that is interesting. Mine is an 8.1 that was upgraded to win 10.
All you guys are so helpful. Thank you.
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Sundance.
re a new pc. ...
the internal latency of any new pc is very important.
a good one should have very low microsecond latency.
for example some laptops have very high microsecond latency compared to others...
thus there is potential for problems down the road.
in my tips in the tips forum are links eg latency mon re low latency and a web site that tests latency of loads of different pc's.
what i do is get a 30 day return on a new pc so i can do various tests and assess internal pc microsecond latency.
my new ryzen mini has one of the lowest internal microsecond latencies.
in summary 'correct pc selection' is important re music production.
merry x.
om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 12/07/24 03:17 AM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs(90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Yeah, just unplug the internet from the old machine. I think you can go into the settings and turn off the software updates. That way it shouldn't be pestering you constantly about the needed updates.
As far as transferring the files.... I use a USB stick. Super easy. I have several USB sticks.... One for business and a couple for music.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Hi, Josie.
I realize this is an older post, but it's still relevant I'd say.
I too have a tower which is my DAW/Studio pc that's not Windows 11 compatible. It is connected to the local network/router and the internet, but I try to use it exclusively for music production. Of course the installed programs and plugins have to be updated via the web and they have been, but in October 2026 the free Microsoft Extended Security Updates (ESU) I registered for will end and that pc will be isolated from the web.
The 250GB SSD is about 85% full now and the existing programs like BIAB 2022, Sonar Platinum, and Studio One Pro 4 are all stable and running well. I may clone that SSD and build a Windows 11 pc, if I can muster the courage, but for now I'm planning to hold what I got.
Getting back to Josie's OP, I've been using a USB flash drive to move files from the Studio PC to a laptop for quite some time. I've done that mainly because I prefer to be on my laptop, like I am now, for non-DAW computing like uploading audio files for streaming, accessing these forums and surfing the web. Doing that sort of serves as a backup too since exported wav or mp3 files end up being stored on two different computers. I suppose I could move those files across the local network, but I didn't set the Studio PC to be Public.
Anyway, I came across this post and thought I'd chime in.
Take care.
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… I share a wireless network with a neighbor … . I would be wary of this. Someone with my modest skills (or worse) could do harm.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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… I share a wireless network with a neighbor … . I would be wary of this. Someone with my modest skills (or worse) could do harm. Ignoring the very real security concerns for a moment, there are other factors that could get in the way. One or more of my neighbors has taken control of my printer and my wife’s Mac on occasion—quite accidentally but these were problems to be chased and resolved. As secure as my network is, there are other ways in. Living in the Silicon Valley, one has to be dilligent.
BIAB 2025 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5
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..............................
As secure as my network is, there are other ways in. Living in the Silicon Valley, one has to be dilligent. Actually Mike in today's world everyone has to be diligent regardless of where they live.
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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