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Are any trace files left on the PC like U3 ... and a few other simple questions

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October 13, 2008 - 9:37am
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s.t.s
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Are any trace files left on the PC like U3 ... and a few other simple questions

Hi all

I have just discovered this portable apps thing and it looks really promising ... I have been using U3 on a 2Gb Titanium and really like it ... barring the trace (upto 20Mb worth!!) files that are left on the machine in the Application Data folder.

I have just bought a U3 8Gb Contour but before I go through the transition to the new drive I want to decide whether this portableapps is worth changing to I would like to know if this "fully" runs from the flash drive and places (not just leaves) no files on the host PC at all?

Also ... what is it like for speed compared to the U3, in particular FF2. I like the idea of FF3 but notice some reports of slow performance and would stick to FF2 if it as quick as on U3, of course if FF3 is generally that quick then that would be cool. Its main use is as a browser so i can keep favourites and browsing history/zotero (what a plugin!!) with me at all times.

I may well be persuaded to ditch U3 altogether if all the promising things I have seen today are born out. If I do and I have a change of heart later is it possible to revert back to U3 from a freshly formatted device do you know?

Many thanks in advance

Sam

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October 13, 2008 - 10:32am
Simeon
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Hi

and welcome Smile

Normally, Portable Apps doent leave any personal data behind. That means that you can still tell what was run but that due to how Windows works. If you have a portable App open and the PC crashes or you pull the plug and cut off electricity, personal data might be left behind because some Applications save data on the local PC and copy them back to the drive if you are finished.

Speed should be exactly the same. That depends more on the drive and how fast it is than on the system (U3, PortableApps.com) you use. If I were yopu, Id make a backup of my Firefox 2 and try the new Firefox Portable 3 for a couple of days and see if it is fast enough because the end of Firefox 2 is near.

If you can re-install U3 after you removed it, that depends on the manufacturer. I know that Sandisk has an installer and I know it works not only for Sandisk drives, but there are no guarantees.

Hope this helped you to get started Smile

"What about Love?" - "Overrated. Biochemically no different than eating large quantities of chocolate." - Al Pacino in The Devils Advocate

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October 13, 2008 - 10:47am
(Reply to #2)
s.t.s
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Hi Simeon That is great ...

Hi Simeon

That is great ... gets me started ... it is a San disc so that is re-assuring. It is the latest contour drive and I got 25Mb/s in transfer speed so hopefully it should handle FF3 nicely Smile

As for the files being saved/copied back to the drive is that the app/launcher/menu bit or just apps like FF/OpenOffice etc? Do you know where they are saved to/how much data in terms of Mb ... my work PC has a very tight "profile storage allocation" and it causes me all sorts of problems when U3 installs its stuff on to my profile space.

Cheers again

Sam

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October 13, 2008 - 11:24am
(Reply to #3)
Simeon
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All the Launchers/Wrappers

All the Launchers/Wrappers use a little space in your temp folder for some plugins they use. And the rest depends on the Application. I cant really tell how much. You'll just have to try and see how it goes...

As for the storage allocation: I have that too at my University but it only checks when I log off. So while I'm logged in, I can use as much as the disk allows. And because all the files on the HDD are deleted when you close the Application, it isnt a problem because the space is free when I log off.

U3 is different - it takes the space on the local HDD even after you eject the drive.

So PortableApps is better than U3 Smile

Cheerio - Simeon

"What about Love?" - "Overrated. Biochemically no different than eating large quantities of chocolate." - Al Pacino in The Devils Advocate

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October 13, 2008 - 12:32pm
s.t.s
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Okay okay ... I am sold ...

Okay okay ... I am sold ... off I go to download this now and give it a go. Smile

My work PC bugs you every 10 minutes if you are over profile storage space .. arghhh!! Fingers crossed this starts the end of my irritation with that darn pop-up error/warning.

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October 13, 2008 - 12:38pm
(Reply to #5)
Simeon
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I think

you made a good choice. (Although I'm a little biased...) Smile

And I hope this fixes the problem with your work PC. Just make sure you delete the old U3 stuff.

"What about Love?" - "Overrated. Biochemically no different than eating large quantities of chocolate." - Al Pacino in The Devils Advocate

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