Transferring data files to a new computer

[ginn421]

If you have an iPod, you can use that to transfer music, pics, videos, etc...

There's a program called Senuti (iTunes backwards) that turns your iPod into a giant flash drive. This program is for Macs, but they have similar programs that serve the same purpose for Windows.

 

[exhawg]

I bought something similar to this at Microcenter for $15: Newegg.com - SABRENT USB-DSC5 Serial ATA (SATA) or IDE 2.5" and 3.5" to USB 2.0 Cable Converter Adapter - Adapters & Gender Changers

It would be the easiest way to hook your old hard drive up to the new computer. There are a thousand ways to move the files, but that is probably the easiest for a non techie.

 

[Muck]

You are correct. However, if he had a home network, he probably would not be asking how to transfer the files.

You'd be surprised.

 

[OCBucksFan]

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Transfer-Cable-Windows-Vista/dp/B000JJPZW0"]Amazon.com: Belkin Easy Transfer Cable for Windows Vista: Electronics[/ame]


30 Bucks, has a driver for XP, Vista has it built in, just attach it to each computer and windows will ask you what you want to copy. It pops up a list of things, like files, settings, documents, or browse by directory. Pretty easy, I have a cable here I use to deal with peoples machines when they give me money. The transfer time can be long if you have an old ass machine and it doesn't have USB 2.0, if it estimates hours, just do it before you go to bed.

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

Oh..... I'd say not....

You might think about a several gig USB flash drive. That's a quick way to transfer a shitload of data too. I don't have a flash drive myself, but they are quite affordable and available at radio shack... or... really... lots of places.

how many gbs does each folder take up?

I would assume all of this is in your my documents folder, right? (under which you'd find my pictures, my videos, etc)

Also, keep in mind you might want to save your bookmarks as wel, which have to be saved elsewhere.

The largest folder (there are several) is just a hair over 2.0 GB - the one flash drive I have is 2.0 GB - I'd rather not invest in a new one since I don't even use the one I have. Sounds like it might be a moot point, anyhow.

Off topic, but you might want to run Belarc Advisor on the old system now, and print the results. While it's mainly a security evaluation, the information about the old computer (including a list of installed programs and some of their license numbers) saves time when trying to set up a new system. I always keep a printout somewhere as it has a bunch of system specs and serials that would be handy if the computer ever crashes or is stolen.

Will do.

If you can spare the $100 or so, I highly recommend buying an external HD and then using it as a backup drive when you are done. It may seem like a pricey solution, but could save you hundreds in repair costs or even better (completely save your ass) in the case of a catastrophic failure of your drive. This is especially important in a laptop as they will often wipe your drive if you send it in for repair, even if it has nothing to do with your drive. I had to send in my wife's laptop because the power chord pin wasn't working properly and they wiped the drive (no worries, had it backed up).

I second this suggestion.

Seems like a good idea. I found this:

Maxtor BlackArmor 160GB 5400 RPM 8MB Cache USB 2.0 External Hard Drive Retail Kit

for $49.99 plus free shipping. That seems to be a good price compared to the others listed. Would that work? (The internal drive is 160GB, too....so I can't imagine I would need anything larger than that....)

I also strongly recommend creating a clone of your new drive after you get all the software you regularly use installed & update everything.

That way you can just drop the backup image on the drive if you ever need to reformat without reinstalling everything (and your data will be safe on the second drive).

You can do the same thing by creating two partitions on a single drive...but that doesn't protect against hardware failure.

You lost me at "clone." :tongue2:

FWIW

If you have a home network you don't need a crossover cable.

You can just plug both machines into your router/hub/switch with a standard cat5 cable.

You only need a x-over if going machine to machine.

You are correct. However, if he had a home network, he probably would not be asking how to transfer the files.

You'd be surprised.

As a matter of fact, I DO have a wireless router at home. (Well, why didn't you list that among our assets in the first place? ). Naturally, I didn't have anything to with it's installation, so.......yeah. I can just hook both up to the router with a basic phone cord? Is there any particular alignment for the plugs in the router?

Thanks to everyone for their assistance!

 

[jwinslow]

for $49.99 plus free shipping. That seems to be a good price compared to the others listed. Would that work? (The internal drive is 160GB, too....so I can't imagine I would need anything larger than that....)

49.99 is the going rate for good 500-640 GB external drives. You could use it to back up other things from your home computer as well.

84 - 1000 GB:
Slickdeals.net - The best coupons, lowest prices, and hottest deals.

55 - 400 GB (after coupon):
(Alive Again from 3/1) Staples - Western Digital Elements 400GB Portable External Hard Drive $55 AC - Friday(2/27) - SlickDeals.net Forums




Also, western digital is one of the lone quality brands out there anymore. Others like Seagate have become very unreliable.

 

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

(The internal drive is 160GB, too....so I can't imagine I would need anything larger than that....)

This reminds me of something I said regarding my Dad's Mac back in .... I don't know... 92 or so.... "20 MBs of memory!?!?!?!? We'll never need any more memory than that!"

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

49.99 is the going rate for good 500-640 GB external drives. You could use it to back up other things from your home computer as well.

84 - 1000 GB:
Slickdeals.net - The best coupons, lowest prices, and hottest deals.

55 - 400 GB (after coupon):
(Alive Again from 3/1) Staples - Western Digital Elements 400GB Portable External Hard Drive $55 AC - Friday(2/27) - SlickDeals.net Forums




Also, western digital is one of the lone quality brands out there anymore. Others like Seagate have become very unreliable.

Thanks! That looks like a much better deal.

This reminds me of something I said regarding my Dad's Mac back in .... I don't know... 92 or so.... "20 MBs of memory!?!?!?!? We'll never need any more memory than that!"

Our current computer has 20GB and we aren't even close to using it up. What we're going to do with 160...I have no idea.

 

[jwinslow]

The only other thing would be to get one of the tiny passport drives which are slim, but if this is something you'll use infrequently, I'd go for price over size.

 

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

Our current computer has 20GB and we aren't even close to using it up. What we're going to do with 160...I have no idea.

A) you need more music and movies on your HD
B) you'd be surprised how much HD space is taken up growing a proper beard on your computer..... I assume you'll be having your new laptop grow a beard, yes?

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

A) you need more music and movies on your HD

Why? So I can be even less-productive around the house?

B) you'd be surprised how much HD space is taken up growing a proper beard on your computer..... I assume you'll be having your new laptop grow a beard, yes?

Good point. The old computer was not beard-compatible. The new one should be bearded to the max.

 

[Muck]

You lost me at "clone." :tongue2:

It just means it's an exact copy. If you ever had problems that forced you to reinstall windows you could just copy the cloned image back onto your drive instead of going through all the hassle of installing everything.

As a matter of fact, I DO have a wireless router at home. (Well, why didn't you list that among our assets in the first place? ). Naturally, I didn't have anything to with it's installation, so.......yeah. I can just hook both up to the router with a basic phone cord? Is there any particular alignment for the plugs in the router?

If both computers have a wireless connection you would be able to copy the data over the wireless network from one to the other.

If one of them does NOT have wireless then check the router to see if it has 3-4 network jacks on the back (they look like phone jacks but are a little bit wider). If it does support wired jacks then you can physically plug the machines into the router and network them that way (each machine will have a matching jack on it).

You will need to buy Cat 5/LAN/Network cable but it is easy enough to find even at electronic stores like Best Buy, just get the cheapest available.

If you decide to go that route just let us know and someone will walk you through setting up a shared folder so you can copy the data over via the network.

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

It just means it's an exact copy. If you ever had problems that forced you to reinstall windows you could just copy the cloned image back onto your drive instead of going through all the hassle of installing everything.

Gotcha. It looks like there is software required for this task. I believe Macrium is the software we use in the office for this purpose. Is the free download of this a decent choice or do you have a preferred software?

If both computers have a wireless connection you would be able to copy the data over the wireless network from one to the other.

If one of them does NOT have wireless then check the router to see if it has 3-4 network jacks on the back (they look like phone jacks but are a little bit wider). If it does support wired jacks then you can physically plug the machines into the router and network them that way (each machine will have a matching jack on it).

You will need to buy Cat 5/LAN/Network cable but it is easy enough to find even at electronic stores like Best Buy, just get the cheapest available.

If you decide to go that route just let us know and someone will walk you through setting up a shared folder so you can copy the data over via the network.

The old computer is currently plugged into the router. The new computer will be on the wireless network as soon as I manage to remember the information for logging into it.

 

[Muck]

Gotcha. It looks like there is software required for this task. I believe Macrium is the software we use in the office for this purpose. Is the free download of this a decent choice or do you have a preferred software?

The industry standard is Symantec's ghost.

Some of the easier freeware alts are FOG, Clonezilla & PING.

The old computer is currently plugged into the router. The new computer will be on the wireless network as soon as I manage to remember the information for logging into it.

FWIW it'll probably be faster if you plug the new machine into the router as well.

 

[CentralMOBuck]

You also have the option of uploading all of your files to the internet with a site like ADrive.com – 50GB of Free Online Storage & Backup. With the basic(free) option you can upload 50 GB's of whatever stuff(movies, music, pictures, program installs, etc.) of whatever you have. Once you are done you can always delete it again. PM me if you need help with that adrive website. What kind of laptop did you buy? Did it come with install discs for Vista?