HDD data usage

Hello, all. My 1st time here and I must say, I'm very impressed by the level of knowledge and professionalism displayed by it's users.

Down to business. I recently purchased an new CPU and have installed the HDD from the old unit to run as a slave. I then sent all the data from the slave to the master so as to have a "clean" drive.

My question is this: What do I need to do to be able to use all my files and programs, transferred from the old HDD, as easily as I did before the change. In other words, how can I get all these programs to show up in my menus, such as the Start menu programs, and all my saved links in the My Favorites menu in IE.

Basically, I want this computer to let me go on with business as usual as if I were on the old one, only faster.

TIA, Terry

 

Hi Terry,

How did you send the data? Did you use a copy program to copy the entire disk or install Windows on the master and copy the folders? If you installed Windows and copied the folders you will need to reinstall the programs to their original location.

Which version of Windows?

Matt

 

On XP, I highlighted all the folders on the slave and drug and dropped them into a folder in the master.

 

Okie, given the fact that you have a new system unit (I think that's what you mean when you say new cpu?), you can't port the "system" or programs from the old hard drive to the new one. You can copy all your data but you'll need to reinstall all your programs again.

Programs like Norton Ghost and DriveImage are great for making images of an entire system which can laid down on a new drive, but when you're talking about different systems, even these utilities are no help.

Gary

 

For getting your "favorites ", there is a folder in the Windows folder called Favorites (I'm on Win98 at the moment, you could do a file & folder search for it) copy the contents of the old folder to the new one. Most applications save their files to My Documents, copy the contents from the old to the new. Games usually have a "Save" folder, copy the contents. Some programs may have a "Data" folder for storing your files. Microsoft Outlook uses an "export" system, that may be tricky. I am not sure about the Address Book.

You should be able to get pretty close to your old setup once you have installed the programs again.

Matt

 

I (and Gary) was worried that you were trying to get a Windows system from an old computer to run on a new one, but it sounds like the new computer came with Windows pre-installed on the (master) harddrive.

After you copy those files I mention in the previous post, you could backup those same files to the other (slave) drive or burn them on CD. Have a look at Help & Support > Backup. When you back them up they will be compressed and then you can delete what you brought over from the old drive (must be taking up a lot of space). If you have a good backup system you won't have to worry if disaster strikes and you lose your harddrive and also, they will be there for the next computer upgrade .

Matt

 

Thanks for the advice. You seem to be on the same page that I am.

This will definitely get me headed in the right direction.

If I have any problems, I'll let you know here.

Terry

 

Applications (programs) will have to have a new installation. They can't be transferred.

Favorites: Using My Computer (or Windows Explorer) copy the CONTENTS of the old My Favorities Folder. It'll say something about hidden folders. Ignore it. If there's nothing of value in the new (XP) My Favorites, just DELETE all the contents of that. Paste the old (98) contents. Even the link button will work.

Address Book: Easiest Way. Old Address Book > Export > Other Address Book > Text (Comma Separated Values). Follow in the instructions. Import the saved CSV file into the new address book. Also, if you use Hotmail, you can upload a CSV file to synchronize the.