Ethel the other day you answered a query......

[scotgal]

from someone who wanted to transfer photos from their mobile phone to computer. Well I want to do the same but don't have the appropriate cable to do so. You mentioned that you used infrared and as I have both could you, or anyone else for that matter, explain how I do this as the instructions in my phone handbook is scant and I'm not much of a whiz with a computer either. Your help would be greatly appreciated as I have lots of holiday photos of my grandson on it of the one day I forgot to take my camera with me!

[Ethel]

Well, hopefully you will find it as easy as I did - I have only recently been given a phone with IR, so it was new territory for me too.

With my phone, in the photo album, I view the saved photo, and then open options.

I choose 'send' and 'via infrared'. This automatically turns the IR on on the phone.

I have to line the IR 'window' on the phone up with the IR window on my laptop - quite close together.

I get a popup on the laptop - and just follow the instructions

The photo is transferred to my laptop very quickly - to the desktop.

[Ethel]

A quick tip - if your pc and phone don't 'see' each other, try a simple thing.

Whilst your phone is 'sending' the photo by infrared, restart your pc, keeping the phone lined up and close to the pc.

That should do it.

[scotgal]

Thank you for replying to me so promptly (I had to go out hence the delay). Unfortunately my laptop doesn't have IR either I've just discovered. I must have just assumed it had or was having a senior moment (prone to both I'm afraid!) so it looks like I'll have to get a cable. I tried Tesco where my daughter bought the phone but they couldn't hel( so frustrating when they stock the article but not the accessories) but no luck - any ideas?

[Ethel]

No ideas at all, I'm afraid. My old phone was the same - the cable was very expensive to buy.

What make/model is it?

[scotgal]

It's a Nokia 6111 Ethel.

[Ethel]

Something like this might be worth a go - it's not a lot of money:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CA-53-Data-Cable-USB-fr- Nokia-6111-6230i-6233-N70-7373_W0QQitemZ150287 684201QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item150287684201&_tr kparms=72%3A12|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A131 8&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[Ethel]

Or this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/EMARTBUY-GENUINE-NOKIA -DKU-2-CABLE/dp/B001884F68/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8& s=electronics&qid=1219836388&sr=8-3

[scotgal]

Ethel I'll say it again - you're a star. I've put my bid on ebay so we'll see how it goes. I'll let you know. Thanks again. As I said before I'm no whiz kid at this game but isn't all this technology so exciting?-I'm learning something new every day and it's no small thanks to you.

[Ethel]

I didn't look at that listing too closely, Scotgal, so I hope all is well with it.

I'm sure you are aware of the pitfalls of eBay. Fingers crossed!

[scotgal]

We had our first foray into ebay last week when we successfully bid for a motorised golf trolley for my son. All is well - it was delivered last Tuesday and he is well impressed with it.

[Ethel]

I love eBay - I have had an eBay shop for some years, as well as selling off all my old tat.

And buying other peoples tat, somehow. :)

[scotgal]

I haven't sold anything on ebay yet and goodness knows I've enough stuff (tat and otherwise) that I could be doing to get rid of so I'll maybe have a go. I'm sure once I got started I might enjoy it.

[scotgal]

Just to let you know Ethel that I managed to get that cable on ebay for �1.50 + �1.00 postage so I'm well pleased. While I was waiting I found one through amazon.uk @ .99p but the postage was �4.40 which I thought a bit excessive and if this one doesn't arrive well it's not too much money and I'll put it down to experience - I've had much harder knocks!