Community Newsletter: Q&A: 1/13/06 Transferring files from old computer to a new one
- 1/12/06 3:52 PM
Transferring files
by Harvey Palitz - 1/13/06 9:54 AM In reply to: Miguel K's winning answer by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Does the Windows transfer program reove files from the old computer or just copy them to the new computer? Specifically, can I copy my wife's sensational iTunes collection to my iTunes program?
Both are Dell laptops with Centrino processers and running XP, SP-2.
external hard drive solution
by woody38 - 1/13/06 9:57 AM In reply to: Miguel K's winning answer by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Back up the drive to an external hard drive or use a program like CasperXP to create an image. Plug your external drive into your computer and transfer the files you want. This will get data files into the new computer very easily. If you want to try and transfer the software programs there are several applications such as AlohaBob and a couple of others that will do that with some of them. But I really agree with Miguel that clean installs are really far and away the best thing to do for all of the reasons he mentions. His answer is long but it is worth reading with care. There is a lot of knowledge there that is worth having!
Files and Settings Transfer
by razr13 - 1/13/06 12:19 PM In reply to: Miguel K's winning answer by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Great article...very informative.
I've recently tried this wizard
by kimala-acer - 1/13/06 12:40 PM In reply to: Miguel K's winning answer by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I had to share some of my large files (10 GB) with my sister. After looking on the internet for a long time, I decided to try the files and settings transfer wizard. I connected my 2 pcs by a crossover cable. I ran the application as it is recommended (new pc first which runs XP media center). I was surprised that my wizard did not give me an option for the croosover cable. I stoped the application and rebooted the pc. This time I started the wizard on the old PC (XP home)and everything ran smoothly.
Transfering data from your old PC
by NancyOrtega - 1/13/06 1:57 PM In reply to: Miguel K's winning answer by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi Miguel
thanks for the explanation, It was very good and technically Excellent. Congratulation!.
I think that is very important to consider, the amount of data that someone wants to transfer from the old computer to the new one, and dependeing of this factor, you should select the best method to transfered the data.
Other wise, I will recomend people always make copies of their most important document, pictures, etc., so It will make easier to copy them in the new computer.
I never have used the wizard to transfered data but I will consider this option for my next opportunity.
Nancy Ortega
Lapeer, MI
Transfering files
by Carol77garr - 1/13/06 4:02 PM In reply to: Miguel K's winning answer by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Thanks for that info. I have a "computer man" who did this for me & told me how many hours he put into doing this & now that I know the truth, I'll never trust him again, or else, he was the dumb one & didn't
know this wizard was on my machine. One of the 2 is true. Anyway, I will keep your info & next time, won't have to be transfering files to disks for later on. I appreciate you putting all that on here. A lot of good info. Never again will I have to pay someone to do this for me.
Carol at Carol51@cox.net
Terrible time with Microsoft Transfer Wizard
by JRL777 - 1/13/06 5:20 PM In reply to: Miguel K's winning answer by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I tried using the Microsoft Settings and Files Transfer Wizard after replacing my computer's hard drive. I had copied files from my old hard drive to an external hard drive using the wizard. I turned the wizard on and waited, and waited and waited. After 24 hours the wizard had completed about one-third of the first step of the transfer process.
Better solution: I gave up on the wizard and used Iomega's Back-Up pro restore program. Within an hour and a half my new hard drive was exactly as the old--down to the wallpaper--and I didn't have to re-register any software or download drivers or updates.
Note: the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard was using the same connection and hard-drive Iomega used.
Backup to an external hard drive
by njrunge - 1/13/06 9:15 PM In reply to: Miguel K's winning answer by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hard drives are so cheap these days that purchasing an 80GB external hard drive makes sense for moving files to a new computer, then using it for regular backups. First, install Windows Backup (it's on the XP Home CD)on the Old Computer, then backup Old Computer to the external hard drive. Next, install the operating system to the new computer, if it isn't already on the New Computer, install Windows Backup, then restore to New Computer from backup. As Miguel says, you will have to reinstall all the applications, but the precious settings and data will already be on the New Computer.
Once you are up and running, make a new backup of New Computer to the external hard drive. Note: an advantage of the external hard drive is that it only runs when you need it for backup, so it will spin only a few hours per month and not wear out for a LONG time.
Nile Runge
copy all files from one hard drive to the other hard drive
by eturner - 1/14/06 10:56 AM In reply to: Miguel K's winning answer by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
How do I transfer files from an original hard drive which is too small in capacity to a newly installed larger hard drive on the same computer?
Thanks,
ET in Upstate NY
what I did
by jkbk - 1/15/06 10:53 AM In reply to: copy all files from one hard drive to the other hard drive by eturnerAssuming that your problem was the same as mine -- the first hard disk was overloaded with Graphics and Music files. Since I set up everything to save to folders in "My Documents" I just copied "my documents" to the second drive and called it "main docs bkp DATE" (I use YYMMDD). Then I emptied all my folders and kept my C drive set up as always. That way all my programs & applications stayed set up and files still save to a familiar place. I back up the new "my documents" with a different name every couple months (alternating between "docs bkpa date" & "docs bkpb date") and keep my Graphics and Music files emptied out.
New games get loaded to my G & H drives (the partitions on the new disk)since they have heavy graphics. I tried changing the default save folder for my audio books the the G drive but it just got too confusing. I just like having "My Documents" do all my saving for me so I don't have to hunt.
Also BACK UP TO AN EXTERNAL media! On my second computer I got overconfident and kept a year's worth of backups only on the second hard disk. I'll give you two guesses what happened! Thank goodness I keep my financial records on a USB stick thingy.
From old Computer to New Computer
by Fredv41 - 1/15/06 6:22 AM In reply to: Miguel K's winning answer by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
You Can try Intellimover from Detto Technologies.
It has the USB contection or the Parallel Port.
Has step by step to your new Computer!
games/stamps.com etc/aol
by jkbk - 1/15/06 11:12 AM In reply to: Miguel K's winning answer by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
does the wizard catch game saves, stamps.com history, aol mail & preferences? I had to reformat recently & those were some of my hard to track transfers. I'm looking forward to trying your wizard way next time when I get to do the new computer tangle tango.
I just did this for my dad
by jer878 - 1/16/06 8:37 AM In reply to: Miguel K's winning answer by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I reinstalled all the software on the new machine (scratch built)then used the file and settings transfer wizard to complete the ordeal.
I have "upgraded" mine and other machines several times but this is the first time I've used the wizard. Let me tell you the time and energy saved using it was well worth the $10 I spent on a network crossover cable. I will always use the wizaed from now on. By the way it transfered about 4 gig worth of files and settings.
good luck to all
Desktop Does Not Recognize Laptop connected thru' LAN
by anshubhatia - 1/16/06 12:31 PM In reply to: Miguel K's winning answer by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Thank you for showing how to transfer files and settings from an old computer to a new one. I have two computers, a desktop running XP-Professional and a notebook running XP-Home. I have a wireless LAN. Under MY NETWORK PLACES, I can see both computers.
I started the Files and Settings Transfer Utility on my desktop and indicated it as old computer (I want to transfer all my music collection from desktop to laptop).
The next screen asked me how I will transfer files and I clicked the radio button for Home or Small Office Network. Now when I click Next, the computer keeps coming with the message "The Wizard cannot locate your new computer". I tried disabling my Firewall, but no success.
I have no problem transferring files one by one from desktop to laptop, but the Files and Settings Transfer Utility does not recognize my Laptop over the LAN.
Can anyone help how to fix this problem?
Old File to New Computer
by limpinghawk - 1/18/06 5:18 PM In reply to: Miguel K's winning answer by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Ben: Miguel K suggestion is good but i never done it that way and it seems to be more of a hassle. What i do is make sure the power is unplugged from your old computer, open the case up and ground yourself (skin to case or frame and remove the hard drive. Now look at your hard drive pin settings and reset them as a slave drive. On your new computer (power unpluged) ground yourself (skin to frame or case) and plug your old hard drive to the seconary HD flat ribbons. It does'nt matter which way your old HD lays as long as it does'nt touch anything on the bottom of your HD circuit board. Now fire up your new computer and Windows will tell you there is a new hardwear. Go to my computer click on (and you will see a second hard drive) This only works with Windows XP and Win Pro 2000. Click on your old HD and check and see all of your files you want to save is there. Then you need to make sure your files are altogether if not place them in a file to be zipped or transfered to your new computer. I on the other hand do'nt do this if the HD is bigger than 10 Gs. I use it as the secondary, as a back up drive and let it set until i feel like transfering to the new hard drive. On my secondary i keep my photos and games as not to share so it frees up my main HD for other applications because these new games take up alot of space Movies do to. The bigger the main HD the more files get fragmented and the longer it takes scan for virus and defrag. Windows XP does'nt care if you have a different OS or Windows or FAT 32 it still worked for me. Try it you can always go back and do what Miguel K. suggested. But keep in mined about the size of your secondary to keep as a back up or format and get rid of it with old unit. Have a good day and welcome to this great wonderful site you'll learn quickly on alot things you can do with Window XP and alot of Antivirus Software on this site. Just make sure you have at least 3 or 4 Antivirus software to back each other up.
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
