How to Transfer Data From Floppy Disk to a CD

If you still have valuable information on floppy disks, which are nearly obsolete, it is essential to know how to transfer such data onto other storage devices. The life span of most computers is not terribly long, and the floppy disk drive is no longer standard on new models.

Things You'll Need

• Blank CD
• CD burner drive

Instructions

1. Insert a floppy disk into your computer. You will need to access the data on the disk, so open "My Computer" from either the desktop or the start menu. Standard practice is that floppy disks are read on the "A" drive, so once you have "My Computer" open, double-click the "A" drive to access the data. If "A" is not the correct drive--you will get a "Please insert disc into Drive A:" message while your disc is already inserted--try the "B" drive.

2. Right-click the desktop background and a drop list will appear. Highlight the word "New" and then, in the new drop list, select "Folder." Name this folder something you will remember: This is where you will transfer the data from the floppy disk.

3. Select all the files you wish to transfer from the floppy disk, then hold down the "Shift" key and click on the first file selected and the last. (This will highlight all selected files between the first and the last.) Now either drag the files from the "A" drive into the folder on your desktop, or copy them. (From the top of the folder, select "Edit" and "Copy," then paste the files into the folder by clicking "Edit and "Paste.") Now the files will be on your computer.

4. Insert a blank CD into your CD burner. Different computers use different programs to burn a CD, so it is important to find out which yours uses. Roxio comes with most PCs, but some Windows formats allow you to burn directly from the drive. Therefore, first check your CD burner drive to see if you can burn directly. If not, search for other applicable programs (such as Roxio or Nero). Before burning, make sure to specify that this is to be a data CD (as opposed to an audio CD); this will allow you to directly access the files later. Now drag the folder you have prepared into the program and begin to burn the CD.