[QuiGonZel]

I have a slew of computers here that teachers are using that are going to be replaced by Dells within the next couple of weeks.

They want to back up their computers, but is this a feasible concept concerning file compatibility with Windows based OS's? Specifically XP.

Should I tell them that this is a fruitless effort? Or can files actually be utilized on Windows?

I'm sure it depends on the file, but I need to get a general feel of what issues I might run into.

[Pensacola Tiger]

Originally Posted by QuiGonZel

I have a slew of computers here that teachers are using that are going to be replaced by Dells within the next couple of weeks.

They want to back up their computers, but is this a feasible concept concerning file compatibility with Windows based OS's? Specifically XP.

Should I tell them that this is a fruitless effort? Or can files actually be utilized on Windows?

I'm sure it depends on the file, but I need to get a general feel of what issues I might run into.

Expect to have a lot of very unhappy teachers.

As you have noted, it all depends on the file, more specifically the application that created the file. You would have to have the same application on the Windows PC that created the file on the Mac. As an example, Microsoft Word documents and Excel spreadsheets are usable on either platform. OpenOffice files created on any platform are compatible regardless of platform.

For other applications, it might be possible to export to a format that the new application can read, like an RTF file for a word processing document, or a CSV file for a spreadsheet.

Hope this helps.

[MSM Hobbes]

Not necessarily specific to the question here, but to add to the thread in a general manner regarding backing up files, the following may be of interest:
http://blog.plasticsfuture.org/2006/...nder-mac-os-x/

Back to the main question - can you be more specific as to the types of files?