Personal laptop or desktop Archives

Transferring Files to and from Virtual Machines

This page provides information on transferring files between different types of virtual machines which are provided by the SCS. Often times it is useful to be able to transfer files between the guest machine and the host machine. On this page you will find instructions for the following methods:

Creating a Shared Folder in VirtualBox

A shared folder is a folder which makes its files available on both the guest machine and the host machine at the same time. Creating a shared folder between the guest and the host allows you to easily manage files which should be present on both machines. The course virtual machines are ready to use shared folders right away, but if you are using the virtual machine on your personal computer you will need to specify which folder to use as shared storage.

Shared Folders on SCS Lab Computers using Course VMs

If you are using a course VM on a lab computer, it is likely that a shared folder has already been setup for you. On the desktop of your course VM you should notice a folder titled SharedFolders. Inside of this you will find any folders that have been shared between the course VM and lab computers.

You should see two folders that have already been configured for you: Z_DRIVE and Temp.

Z_DRIVE gives you access to your Windows Account drive. This is storage that is persistent to your SCS account and available as a network drive on the lab computers.

Temp gives you access to the folder found at on the lab computer. Files stored in this folder are local to the machine, meaning that they can be accessed faster, but will delete from the system when you log out.

If you are working with data that you will need to use again, use the Z_DRIVE for your shared folder. If you need faster read/write speed, use the Temp folder, but remember to backup your files or they will be deleted when you log off the computer.

Shared Folders on Personal Computers

If you are using your own personal machine, you will need to configure VirtualBox to look in the right place for your shared files.

First, click on the guest machine you intend to share files with. From there, you can select the guest Settings and navigate to Shared Folders on the left side menu. To create a new shared folder, either click the New Folder icon on the right menu or right click the empty list of shared folders and click Add Shared Folder. From here, there are six options:

• Folder Path: The folder name on the host machine. Click the drop down menu and navigate to the folder you would like to share.
• Folder Name: This is the name of the folder as it will appear on the guest machine.
• Read-Only: If you check read-only, the guest machine will be unable to write changes to the folder. This is valuable when you only want to send files to the virtual machine, but do not want to risk having the files modified by the guest.
• Auto-Mount: When any external storage is connected to a computer it must be mounted in order to be used. It is recommended that you turn on auto-mounting, unless you are familiar with the process of mounting a drive yourself.
• Mount Point: Unless you already know about mount points, leave this blank.
• Make Permanent: If you check this, the shared folder will be a permanent machine folder. If it is not checked, the folder will not be shared after a shutdown.

On the course virtual machines, when you load into the desktop, you should see a folder labelled SharedFolders. In there you will see any folders that are currently mounted and being shared.

Dragging and Dropping Files in VirtualBox

If you only need to transfer a few files quickly, you can simply drag and drop the files in. On the top bar of the running guest machine, click on Devices > Drag and Drop and make sure that Bidirectional is selected. This means that you will be able to drag files from the host to the guest and from the guest to the host. Once bidirectional drag and drop is checked, you should be able to begin dragging and dropping files.

NOTE: Sometimes when dragging files into the course VM, you may not be able to drag into the file browser directly. If you encounter this issue, you should drag your files onto the Desktop and move the files around from there. You should see the cursor change when it is ready to drop files.

You can also drag files from the guest machine into the host. To do this, simply open the file browser on the host to where you would like to drop the files and drag the files from the virtual machine into the file browser of the host. File transfers should be pretty quick; if the virtual machine seems stuck when transferring, simply cancel the transfer and try again.

Managing Files with NextCloud

On any virtual machine, including VirtualBox, VMWare, or the virtual machines hosted on the SCS OpenStack, you can access the SCS NextCloud services to move files between multiple machines and your SCS Windows Account storage. NextCloud offers you all of your SCS storage in one remote location, similar to how you might use other file hosting services like Dropbox or Google Drive. Before trying to use NextCloud, you should check that you can access the service by logging in here.

If you can access the NextCloud services, you can browse the various file storage services available to you:

• Linux Home: These are the files from your SCS Linux Account
• Windows Home: These are the files from your SCS Windows Account and your lab drive.
• NextCloud: In addition to the other storage accounts provided to you by the SCS, you can also upload up to 20GB of files directly to NextCloud.

With NextCloud, you can upload your files from any machine with an internet connection and download them onto any other machine with an internet connection. For example, you can move project files off of your virtual machine, onto the NextCloud storage, and then download them on your personal laptop. Alternatively, you can upload files from your personal PC onto the NextCloud storage, place it into the Windows Home folder, and access those files from either the lab drive or download them on a virtual machine like VirtualBox or OpenStack.

Uploading Files to NextCloud from a Lab Computer

If you would like to upload files from a lab computer, the easiest way to do this is to place the files you would like to transfer into your drive. These files will be automatically backup into your NextCloud storage under the Windows Home folder. After that, you can move them into the main NextCloud storage or choose to keep them in your drive.

Uploading Files to NextCloud from a VM or Other PC

If you would like to upload files from either a VM or any other computer, you can login to the NextCloud service using any of the available interfaces, such as the web interface. Press the “+” icon in the top left of the file browser and select UploadFile. From here, you can choose to keep it in the main NextCloud storage, move it into your Windows Account storage (the Windows Home folder), or into your Linux Account storage (the Linux Home folder).

Downloading NextCloud Files to a VM or Other PC

To be honest, it really does depend on your current work situation and requirements, your daily routines and the type of work you do. There is no definitive answer to which is better for work, a laptop or desktop? As most of the time, it simply comes down to personal preference, however, here are some of the key points we can address before making a final decision.

Travelling Daily or Office Based

Let’s get the obvious choice out of the way straight out of the gate. If your job involves quite a lot of travel or requires you to have no fixed desk, then something portable will be a much better option than a fixed desktop. Provided the laptop has the specification and capability to run all of the software that you require for your daily tasks.

Business Applications

For daily office use, if you use hardware intensive software applications such as AutoCAD or other processor hungry software, then a desktop may be the better option, certainly from a cost and upgradability point of view.

You can certainly get laptops that have the specification to deal with demanding applications, however, to purchase a high-end laptop capable of running large applications pricing can be well into the 1000’s of pounds, similar build desktops, however, can be much cheaper certainly offer a pricing advantage.

It’s worth noting that some laptops are also well known for having poor airflow throughout their structure and as a result do tend to overheat after long and heavy use, which may lead to component damage.  Investing in a portable cooling pad can assist with this and take care of excessive heat.

Hardware/Upgrading

Desktops can be upgraded far more easily than laptops and with more options. Typically, laptops are more limited when it comes to upgrading components.  Generally speaking, common components on a laptop that can be upgraded are the hard drive and RAM.

On a desktop, however, the motherboard, RAM, hard drive, graphics card, sound, network, USB connection, etc., can all be upgraded with additional internal components, e.g. DVD drive, can be added (provided the desktop case has the appropriate spare hardware slots).

Laptops usually do not have the capacity to have any additional internal components added.  Certainly, something to consider if you feel that you may require an upgrade in the near future.

Something else to point out, that whilst desktops come with both keyboard and mouse as standard, with laptops you will generally have a touchpad.  Additionally, a good number of standard laptops will be missing the number keypad.  However, these can be added via USB if required.

Maintenance

Desktop PCs are much easier to physically maintain, repair and clean than their laptop counterparts.  Unfortunately, with a laptop, even a simple hardware issue, may involve you sending it away for costly repairs.  With a Desktop machine, it’s pretty straightforward to take the side off of the case to clean, remove the dust, or for simple maintenance.

Conclusion

So, it really does depend on your situation and what you need to use one for.  It’s a little like comparing apples to oranges, even though they are both fruit and they both grow on trees, they are entirely different.  Which is the same for Desktops and Laptops.

For portability, then the obvious choice is a laptop.  If upgradability is key, then whilst both will help to achieve this, a desktop is far more upgradeable than a laptop.  If price is the main concern, then desktops are generally cheaper than laptops and will deliver more bang for your buck.

Computer Rescue offers a complete range of IT Support and Cyber Security Services, all priced according to your requirements and needs of the business.  All of our IT Support and Cyber Security Services are tailored and bespoke to your individual company and as a result, the pricing will vary depending upon need.

Computer Rescue was set up to prevent Small – Medium business being ripped off with unnecessary IT Support costs and as a company its important that we gain and cultivate our business relationships with our customers and not just their wallet.

Get in touch with us today to find out more about the IT Support and Cyber Security services that we offer and how we may best be of assistance to you.  We can get you started with a FREE IT Network and Cyber Security Assessment to make sure that all of your systems are working as they should be.

Here’s a link to our article: What to expect to pay for IT support and cybersecurity services.

Alternatively, download our FREE E-Book: Switching Your I.T. – 21 Questions to Ask any IT Support Company and find out the answers to the questions that you should be asking before working with any IT Support company.

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Most of us are on our laptops (desktops, netbooks, what have you) all day long. Like literally, all day long. So doesn't it make sense to finally organize your laptop, and get rid of all the clutter and chaos? Imagine a world where you're greeted with a serene desktop background, perfectly appointed files, and useful folders. (Instead of, you know, dozens of nameless documents, and duplicate photos?) I don't know about you, but that sounds pretty great to me.

Because personally, I'm really good about keeping things off my desktop (as you'll read below), but I'm not so great about actually organizing my files, or storing anything in useful ways. If that sounds like you, then you're probably well aware of the agony that is searching for a file, or scrolling in vain through thousands of old photos.

This kind of tech messiness doesn't do much for your sanity, but it also doesn't help your productivity, either. "Since most of our work's now done in the digital realm, it stands to reason that your desktop environment can play an important role in your productivity," said Adam Dachis on Lifehacker.com. "Your computer's desktop is a starting point for your entire computing experience, but — like anything else — if you let it get ugly and messy your productivity will take a dive."

Let's prevent all that, and get to organizing your laptop. Here's how to clean up your computer, once and for all.

1. Get Rid Of Duplicate Files

Getting rid of extra clutter is the best place to start. I mean, how many copies of your resume, or photos of your cat do you really need? (OK, maybe a lot, but you get my point.) Not only do duplicate files make your desktop look messy, but they obviously take up a lot of memory. "You'd be surprised how much storage is used up by duplicate files, whether they're files you saved twice to different locations or multiple downloads of the same file," said Natasha Stokes on Techlicious.com. The best way to track them all down, and delete them, is with an app such as Duplicate Detective. Download that, and get to it.

2. Create Large, Main Folders

Now that you've gotten rid of the excess, you'll want to put the files that passed the test into folders. Which system you choose is up to you, as it should be based on your preferences. But one way to do it is with three large folders: one for things you made (resumes, Word documents, etc.), one for things your friends made (family photos, etc.), and for things made by the rest of the world (MP3s, movies, software, etc.), according to programmer Mark Virtue on HowToGeek.com. Sounds like that would about cover it.

3. Make Some Smaller, Sub Folders

Once everything is separated into your main folders, now you can make sub folders within each folder. (Is this getting confusing? I hope not.) "Each folder will present its own particular set of requirements for further sub-organization," said Virtue. "For example, you may decide to organize your music collection into sub-folders based on the artist’s name, while your digital photos might get organized based on the date they were taken. It can be different for every sub-folder." However you choose to organize the miscellany, it will all stay within those three original folders.

4. Erase Your Downloads Folder

No, you'll never need that old concert ticket PDF, so go ahead and delete the contents of your downloads folder. "Open the Downloads folder, and view its contents by file type, then go through each category and drag the unneeded files to the Trash (Mac) or Recycle Bin (Windows,) or right click and select Delete (both Mac and Windows)," Stokes said. Then, you'll be ready for all the new tickets and PDFs coming your way.

5. Choose A Pretty Desktop Background

By all means, use whatever image you'd like for your desktop — a serene beach, a hilarious meme, a vacation photo. But do choose wisely, as this is the image you'll stare at all day long. "Choosing a wallpaper may seem like a trivial thing, but when you're staring at it every day it can have an impact on your productivity," noted Dachis. Busy prints? Maybe not the best selection.

6. Get Rid Of All Those Visible Files

Even if you've already made the three main folders mentioned above, you still might have some extra files scattered across your background. If so, move everything — including the three main folders — out of sight. Personally, I have one folder on my desktop that says "Desktop." (Clever, I know.) I keep everything in there to avoid clutter, and so I can actually see my pretty desktop background.

7. Organize With Desktop Templates

If you like (or need) to see folders on your desktop, never fear — this tip is for you. Simply choose a desktop background with built-in organization, like these here, and then drop the folders under each category. "If you'd prefer to have software do the work for you, you have an alternative. Fences (Windows-only) is [an] ... app that creates sections for all your current clutter," Dachis said. Either way, it's guaranteed to be the stuff your neat freak dreams are made of.

8. Delete Unused Programs

There's no need to hang onto every program you've ever downloaded, especially if they're just taking up space. "You can delete unused programs by dragging them from the Applications folder into the Trash," Stokes explained. "This deletes most files associated with the app, such as data generated, but not preference files and support files." You can click here for further rules for how to properly delete.

9. Do Something About All Those Photos

We all have roughly 55 million photos of sunsets and family and friends. You probably never look at them, but imagine how much it would suck if they were lost. That's why you should consider putting all your pics in an external hard drive, which also means less clutter, and more space for other files. (Yay!) "Alternately, a cloud storage service for your photos can be a handy means of ensuring a backup even if your devices are lost or damaged," Stokes said.

10. Put Some Thought Into File Names

It's one thing to put files into folders, but it's an entirely different thing to actually know what each file is. This is where file naming becomes very important. "Do not allow files to be created that have meaningless names like Document1.doc, or folders called New Folder (2)," Virtue warned. "Take that extra 20 seconds and come up with a meaningful name for the file/folder — one that accurately divulges its contents without repeating the entire contents in the name."

11. Create A Working "To-Do" File

If you're worried that important, current files might get lost in the mix, then create an "Inbox" folder to house all the stuff you actively need. "You can think of this folder as your 'to-do' list," Virtue said. "You can call it 'Inbox' (making it the same metaphor as your email system), or 'Work,' or 'To-Do,' ... whatever name makes sense to you." This will become your go-to spot for current projects.

12. Actually Clean Your Computer

Once you go through all the hard work of making folders, renaming files, and moving photos around, you might appreciate actually physically cleaning your computer, as well. This includes dusting your keyboard, and disinfecting your mouse, but also wiping off that smudgy screen. "To see clearly again, all you need is a microfiber cloth and some simple cleaning solution," noted John Patrick Pullen on Time. "Make sure your display is powered off (if it’s your laptop, power the whole machine down), and try wiping with the dry cloth first. If that’s not enough, spritz some cleaner onto the wipe, and give it a gentle polishing." It should be shiny in no time.

Try: MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloths, $6, Amazon

Try: Dust-Off Laptop Computer Cleaning Kit, $7, Amazon

13. Stick To Your Organization Plan

Once you come up with an organizational plan, make sure you stick to it. "You need to be disciplined — forever," said Virtue. "Every new file you get, spend those extra few seconds to file it where it belongs. Otherwise, in just a month or two, you’ll be worse off than before — half your files will be organized and half will be disorganized — and you won’t know which is which."

Being aware of your messy ways can help keep your computer organized. So store photos in one spot, always move your files into folders, and delete unused items, and you should be well on your way to much more organized technology.

Images: Pexels (14)