Upgrading Computer -> Transfering Files (1 Viewer)

[townie]

When ur upgrading ur computer i.e. getting a new one, wats the best way to get all ur files to the new one.

I was thinking of using Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, but i dunno if i can trust it, will it move all my personal files (all in my documents) and will it move my mails, it says it moves "local mail" does that mean mail on my computer.

Also, could i put the like transfer onto my iPod.

Should i just ghost the harddrive?

Oh wonderous IT people, give me ur advice

P.S. hope this hasnt been done b4, i searched for 'Transfer' and didnt see anything that jumped out at me.

Thanking u
~townie

 

[equiski]

What are you doing with your old computer? If you're not going to use it, you could install its harddrive into your new computer as a second HD. You will have to export things like email/contacts/favourites though.

e: If not, I would just use your ipod (or a simple crossover cat-5 cable, depending on how much data you need to transfer) to transfer your documents/music etc. You won't be able to transfer programs and such, but its good to have a fresh start.

 

[townie]

yeah, i was thinking the easiest thing would be to just use the iPod without files and settings transfer, the only problem is emails, i always seem 2 fail at transporting emails, any suggestions for that?

 

[equiski]

If you're using using Outlook/ Outlook Express, all you have to do is export your messages/ accounts/ address book, move the resultant files to your new computer and import them.

Apparently with different versions of outlook, mail is simply stored in a directory. That would require a slightly different procedure.

 

[MuffinMan]

dvd burner? get a dvd rw disc and u should b fine

 

[Rafy]

I use my ipod. its 40GB only need about 4 transfers..

before that cd rws which took ages..

 

[MuffinMan]

I use my ipod. its 40GB only need about 4 transfers..

before that cd rws which took ages..

go dvd+/- rw's

 

[AntiHyper]

connect the two computer together with an ethernet (LAN) cable and copy files through network. If you can't see each others computer through Network Neighborhood or My Network Places, install a copy of Serv-U on 1 of the computer, run an FTP server and connect by typing "ftp://<server ip address>:<port>". I always use this when i can't see the other computer on my network.

 

[JimmyK]

If your going to have 2 PCs ie. the one you want to take the data from.. and the one you want to dump the data - I suggest that you DONT ghost the hard drive because the computer name for the comptuer your getting the ghost from will conflict with the one your ghosting to because they will be exactly the same!
I wouldnt trust the Files and Settings Transfer wizard, so the best bet would be a network connection - if you can get your hands on come Cat5 crossover cable and two network cards! - If you do this, make sure you get 10/100 cards.. not just 10 cards.. otherwise its going to take you for ever!

 

[AntiHyper]

even better i've heard of these gigabit CAT5 connections.. max transfer rate of 125MBps (although you may start getting data bottlenecks in writing the data into the hard disk)
While the 100s max transfer rate is 12.5MBps (fast enough for me)

 

[equiski]

Guys, guys; settle down okay. All he needs to do is a one-off transfer of his old files. He doesn't need to set up ICS or a gigabit LAN to do that. I just suggested LAN as, depending on the age of her old computer, both should have an NIC built in. So the cost would be that of a short crossover cable, which would be as cheap as a DVD-RW.

I swear, you cobbers are so gungho at times.

 

[pete_mate]

if you dont like the "transger wizard" thing, ive never used it myself, but its a bitch doing it this manual way:

c:\documents and settings\ your name\

has most of the files you need, including, email, my documents and all the integrated windows crap that isnt in c:\program files\

however, the most annoying thing is putting them back in the right folders once youve installed windows again on the new comp, specially email, a 400mb file in some obscure folder 4 dirs down