Computer help forum: Transferring files between computers

The easiest way would be to network the two computers. If you'd prefer an easier/cheaper option, look to your CD (700MB), or preferably DVD (4.7GB), burner and a set of blank discs. (Preferably CD-RW or DVD+RW/DVD-RW, as they are ''rewritable,'' or ''reusable,'' just like an oversized floppy.)

Hope this helps,
John

See the link below:

How To Transfer Files Computer to Computer

Hope this helps, too.

Grif

Even a cheap 256 MB flash drive costs about $20 on sale...A 1 GB flash drive can be a little pricey. If the user already has a CD-RW burner, then they might already have a CD-RW disk..In most cases, purchasing a new CD-RW disk is a LOT cheaper than a new flash drive. Or in my case, I have found 100 packs of CD-R's for FREE...They burn fast and once finished, you have a permanent backup of all your files. It doesn't cost a penny to do it and I can burn a 700 MB CD in 4-5 minutes, maybe less..

Granted, flash drives are nice tools IF you need one...But I'm not sure I'd go out and buy one just to transfer files one time.

If both computers have ethernet cards, then a cross-over cable is fairly cheap and the transfer rate is a lot faster...

The point is...the user needs to look at all the options and make an educated decision.

Hope this helps.

Grif

Use your hard drive-based mp3 player for much larger capacity, but just as easy as using the flash drives. I have the 30gb Iaudio X5, and just hook it to the usb port where it is immediately recognized as a new drive.

Drag&drop, unplug from desktop, plug into laptop, repeat!

NOTEs:
>If you have large single files, see if you can break up large video clips into smaller files or compressing photos or documents with winZip to save space and manage your data easier

>As for me, I went with, which are also my recommendations for your case, is the Gigabank 4.0 by I/O Magic for $130. Here's a link to find it for $100 aft MIR.

http://www.dealslist.com/index.php?id=7391
$130 for 4GB of storage is still much more cost effective than solid state flash pen drives. Unless u do alot risky stuff that puts the tiny hardrive more prone to breakage (high altitude, recreation, extreme temperatures), it's a good bang for the buck.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/offering/list/-/B0006FZNYC/all/104-1816311-0209507
A cheaper 2.2GB capacity if this better suits your budget

I also ended up getting a Maxtor 80GB ext hd for $80. It's primarily for backup purposes, but while the drive stil isn't filled up yet, i use it for MASS transfers (e.g. drive back to my parent's house, dump a bunch of stuff i still want from my old PC they're using and put it on my new PC when i get back). Walk into a Staples or Office Depot store. They often have deals out of the blue. Can get your stuff right away. Else ask or poke around online

Pros and Cons of RECAPs as well as new suggestions:

over the wired network
+easy to do once things are set up
+in this day in age, many if not all PCs should be wired
-may require USB ports (problem for older PCs)
-need network connection on both PCs
-may need setup and config
-fast networkd connections can be pricey

CD-R/RW
+both types are very cheap
-may not work if any one file is larger than 533MB to 700MB
-If you want to reuse a RW disc w/o finalizing it, not all CD-RWs can be read on all PCs (e.g. u use Nero on your Desktop to burn it but Adaptec to read RWs on your laptop)

DVD-R/RW
+definately enough capacity
-media is more expensive, esp. for the RW's
-Note formats for +/-
-If you want to reuse a RW disc w/o finalizing it, not all DVD+-RWs can be read on all PCs (e.g. u use Nero on your Desktop to burn it but Adaptec to read RWs on your laptop)

USB pen drives
+ 1 and 2GB capacities going down in price. Relatively affordable
+direct, easy method
-require USB ports (problem for older PCs)
-still kinda expensive none of the less

SD flash media
+double up use for your digicam, PDA, or phone
+almost as easy to do as pen drives
+most ppl alr have these due to their popularity
-due to small size, these are more expnsive than pen drive and CF cards
-need card reader, $15 to $40
-SD card max out at 2GB, and these are not cost effective

CF falsh media
+double up use for your digicam
+almost as easy to do as pen drives
+most ppl alr have these due to their popularity
+max out at 8GB cards
+chepaer and more cost effective than SD cards
-larger capacities, 4GB+ will cost still cost u
-need card reader, $15 to $40

Memory stick media
+double up use for your digicam, PSP, and other Sony gear
+almost as easy to do as pen drives
+ppl with Sony stuff alr have these
+max out at 8GB cards
+chepaer and more cost effective than SD cards
-alot of formats to deal with
-not as common as SD and CF
-rather expensive overall

microdrives
+better bang for the buck
+high capacities, 2.2GB to 8GB+
-generates heat
-more fragil
-may need defragging

external hardrives
+high capacities
+good bang for the buck
-pricey... also use it to backup stuff i you get this
-fragile
-requires owno power source except for the very trim,small models

direct USB bridge cable
+straighforward to perform
+cheap
-need to install software on both PCs first
-PCs need to be in close proximimty

IR (infrared)
+wireless
+also connect with tyour PDA or cellphone with an IR window
-VERY SLOW
-requires line of site
-needs to be close
-direct sunlight disrupts transmission
-needs appropriate USB hardware

Bluetooth
+wireless
+also connect with tyour PDA or cellphone with an BT
+can signal up to 40 ft away
-SLOW
-requires line of site
-direct sunlight disrupts transmission
-needs appropriate USB hardware

wifi
+wireless
-lots of setup
-needs hardware and likely USB
-so so speed

The file size will decrease dependent on the type of file it is. Some files, such as movies and pictures are already compressed and as such, you won't save much space after zipping...On the other hand, text documents and word processsing documents will reduce in size tremendously.

I'm in agreement about the large flash drives. Unless you have a specific use for something like that, they're way too expensive. In my situation, I see absolutely no need to buy a 4 GB flash drive for $130. (I can install ethernet or wireless cards on all computers, buy a router, wireless or otherwise, and set up a network for much less than that.) There are lots of options available and each user will need to make a decision based on the tools they already have...I also have stacks of CD-R's that I've got for free...Nothing cheaper than that and CD-R's burn quickly...ON the other hand, if a user already has a flash drive, that might work for them.

Hope this helps.

Grif

I'm not sure what you're subject line: "how much for all the wireless setups?" is referring to, but since the thread topic is about sharing files between a PC and a laptop which can be relatively close to each other, then it's much cheaper to create a network than to buy a $100+ flash drive..As an example, I installed an internal wireless network card and purchased a D-Link wireless router with a four port switch for about $30..That's the combined cost of both items on sale. I installed it last weekend. Both computers had ethernet cards but one was to be connected wirelessly/remotely so I needed the wireless adapter.

The discussion here is about transferring files from one computer to another...NOT "storing" files online or transporting large numbers of files around. (Although online storage sites are a good option if you happen to have one already.) In your situation, it sounds like you may have a need for a flash drive to move a few files from one location to another..You don't really explain why you need to transport 4 GB worth of files between locations. My daughter currently uses a small 256 MB flash drive(I believe we got it on sale for $19.99) to transfer files between her college and home computers. She doesn't have a CD burner on either computer and besides, one is a MAC and the other is a Windows PC. The small flash drive is the best option. Generally, when transferring files, users transfer small numbers of files between locations.

Much like your parent's computer which has no connection at all, I have another daughter who only has a dial-up connection at her home and as such has difficulty installing Windows Updates, program installations, antivirus and antispyware update, simply because it take so long to download the large files..In that case, I have a CD-RW disk, which cost me about fifty cents, and I transfer large numbers of files to share with that computer. I do it monthly. The same could be done for your parent's computer.

So as I mentioned above, there are lots of options available and each user will need to make a decision based on the tools they already have.

Hope this helps.

Grif

CD-RW's should work on ANY modern CD-Rom drive...Basically, you perform a standard "burn" just like you would on a CD-R disk and finalize the disk...After the information is transfered, you simply erase the disk and burn some more data to it..It's a "data disk". A "packet writing" program isn't used at all so the different burning software isn't an issue.

Most modern CD-Roms will read CD-RW disks when the disk is burned and finalized in this manner..We've got some 8-9 year older Windows 95 machines with CD-Roms that will read CD-RW disks..Much older than that and it gets problematic as to whether the CD-Rom will read a CD-RW.

And in your case, it sounds like it makes perfect sense to transfer extremely large files with a large USB drive..Thanks again.

Hope this helps.

Grif

I'm not sure you understand what I mean by finalized...I use a CD-RW disk JUST LIKE you use your USB flash drive except your flash drive is more expensive and my finalized CD-RW takes longer to burn. Neither are perfect and neither are impractical.

By finalized, I DON'T mean to leave the data on there forever. After burning and finalizing the disk and transfering the data, ( A finalized CD-RW has no compatibility problems as it can be read by ALL CD drives and no special software is required to read it.), I erase the CD-RW and burn it again, and finalize, and erase, and reburn, etc. (I don't mean "delete files". I mean erased them which removes formatting and all data.) As you stated, CD-RW's can be reused multiple times...A finalized CD-RW is an extremely reliable way of making backups as well as transferring files..They also can be purchased cheaply...The last batch I purchased for about 25-30 cents a piece in bulk. Yes, CD-R's are a little cheaper, but I can reuse a CD-RW's a LOT of times and I don't need as many.

Remember, finalized CD-RW's can be erased in approximately 2 minutes and rewritten again..I've got multiple finalized CD-RW's that contain data of which I update every couple of weeks...I simply erase the current data and rewrite it again with the data I currently need. I've also transfered lots of data using CD-RW's...Burn the data to the disk, finalize it, transfer the data, erase the disk, reburn new data. (JUST like your USB drive except slower.) Although burning a CD-RW is somewhat slower than when burning a CD-R, they are just as reliable when saving long term or short term data...IF finalized.

Unfortunately, using a packet writing program to format a CD-RW and use the copy and paste method can be very unreliable...(As you stated, compatibility and ability to recognize files is a problem) I frequently have such formatted disks fail to be read...sometimes after only a few uses...As a result, I don't use packet writing special software to make reliable back ups. Still, because it's quick and easy to copy and paste data to the disk, I use them frequently for transferring repair files from one location to another, but I don't depend on them..I ALWAYS have a backup finalized CD-RW or CD-R containing the same data.

As I suggested before, although large files such as your videos aren't workable with a CD, small ones ARE and it's a lot cheaper in the long run. At home, I purchased my last set of CD-RW's about 5 years ago and they're all still going strong..It all depends on what you already have and what types of files need to be transfered.

Hope this helps.

Grif

...allows the user to burn and finalize a CD-RW, then erase it, then burn and finalize, over and over again. The ability to erase comes with the "DirectCD" portion of the program. Once the disk is erased with the DirectCD Wizard,(or "Drag To Disk" on ECDC 6) then a standard burn with Easy CD Creator can be made and finalized. I currently use Easy CD Creator 6 on most machines, but I've got a few with ECDC 4 and 5. I very seldom use the DirectCD program to format the drive simply because the packet writing programs just aren't as reliable for primary storage.

And the actual burner hardware varies depending on the computer. I take care of about 15 units that have the ability to burn a CD-RW...Dells, HP, Compaqs, etc. and they all have different brand name burners...It's not relevant as to the hardware as long as the software will do the job.

Hope this helps.

Grif

A very old and used method (back from the days of DOS)is to get yourself a "fastlynx" cable and program. It is not too cheap, but worth its weight in Gold. It is very easy to use and will transfer any file from "master" to "slave". The last I saw it advertised was at http://www.sewelldirect.com/fastlynxhomepage.asp

Best of luck