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Connecting computers...How to?

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by rjc1, 2007/12/12.

  1. 2007/12/12
    rjc1

    rjc1 Inactive Thread Starter

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    Ok now that I got my Product Key...another post....I have another situation now. Here is what I am needing to do.

    I now have a computer that I want to restore to new....my Pent 4....it has 80GB on it and showing only 7 left!!! Have noooo idea what the heck can be using that much space...anyways I have another computer not as good as this one, but Windows XP on both (now finally). I want to transfer some files such as my 2 web sites I run and other files to the other computer, then restore this one and then transfer back.

    Is there an easy way to do this????

    I went to Office Depot they first sold me the Belkin Easy Transfer...it only works from Windows XP going to Vista.
    Took that back and they sold me PC Mover, but it won't let me pick and choose my files, it want's to move my whole C Drive, and the computer I am wanting to use to transfer doesn't have enough memory...well I don't want to spend allot of money, as that isn't the computer I will be using....Then the guy at Office Depot said as long as I have a USB cord I can move files to one computer to the next.....well I can't figure out how too, so can anyone help me out here and make this a little easier for me??? :eek:

    Thanks, Rhonda
     
    rjc1,
    #1
  2. 2007/12/12
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

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    Hi Rhonda,

    Instructions on use of the Transfer Files and Settings Wizard:

    http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457074.aspx It does give you a choice of settings and files.
    The type of cable you need:
     
    charlesvar,
    #2


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  4. 2007/12/12
    rjc1

    rjc1 Inactive Thread Starter

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    I take it I can't use the PC Mover USB cable that came with it?

    Rhonda
     
    rjc1,
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  5. 2007/12/12
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

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    I don't know whether you can use what you have - in the back of my mind I seem to remember a direct USB to USB connection between systems is a no no, but I may be wrong on that. So just hold off for the time being.
     
    charlesvar,
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  6. 2007/12/12
    rjc1

    rjc1 Inactive Thread Starter

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    I was just looking at some of the link you sent me too, and it says to use a serial cable, or LapLink...that is actually what the USB thing I have is (that came with the PC Mover) it has a round thing in the middle of the cable, that says LapLink USB 1.1

    Rhonda
     
    rjc1,
    #5
  7. 2007/12/12
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

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    I asked one of the hardware people to look at this issue - don't want to take the chance of damaging your computers :)
     
    charlesvar,
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  8. 2007/12/13
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    Best ways to transfer stuff would be to use a crossover cat5 cable and network the 2 computers, costs about 5 bucks max.
    http://www.practicallynetworked.com/qa/qa20030213.shtml

    Or use a usb thumb drive, you can get a 4 GB thumb drive for about 20-25 bucks now.

    IMHO those usb networking and file transfer gizmos are not worth it, they usually require additional software & drivers, Windows has this capability already using cat5.

    Prior to doing any transfers, do the following:
    1. Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup and checkmark all.
    2. If use Windows Media Player verify that it is not creating duplicate files when using the Library. If you have musik in a user created folder at C:\My Documents\Ripped CDs\ then media Player may be making duplicates in C:\My Documents\My Music.
     
    TonyT,
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  9. 2007/12/13
    rjc1

    rjc1 Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thanks, what a great link!!

    Yes I'm beginning to notice that the software stuff isn't what it's cracked up to be...not for me anyhow. And then I also seen that the Windows XP comes with a Files and Settings Transfer Wizard...it calls for just a Serial Port connector. What's your take on that way??

    I'm going to back to the computer store today and I'll take with me what you've wrote and see if they have it, I'm sure they do.

    Thanks, Rhonda
     
    rjc1,
    #8
  10. 2007/12/13
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    What I would do is NOT use Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
    I would use a usb thumb drive to trabsfer my:
    Favorites
    Email Folders
    Email Settings
    ...and any other data files.
    I'd transfer documents and multimedia files a little at a time and get rid of stuff I don't need anymore (burn to cds for backup).
     
    TonyT,
    #9
  11. 2007/12/13
    rjc1

    rjc1 Inactive Thread Starter

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    Ok...won't do that then...I do get a usb thumb...going to give that a try. Thanks for all the input...will let you know how it goes.

    Rhonda
     
    rjc1,
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  12. 2007/12/13
    JMG

    JMG Inactive

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    Get a switch and 2 network cables. Share a folder and transfer your files. That is the quickest, easiest and safest (as far as data integrety is concerned) way to do it. looking at spending $20 for all of that.
     
    JMG,
    #11
  13. 2007/12/13
    rjc1

    rjc1 Inactive Thread Starter

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    USB Thumb has thumbs up!!!!!! It worked and was the simplest to use, WOW!!!! I bought the 4GB and still have 2.75GB free.....I didn't need to move allot but sure saved some headache by doing this....

    Thanks so much to everyones help and suggestions.
    Rhonda
     
    rjc1,
    #12
  14. 2007/12/14
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    VWD! (very well done)
     
    TonyT,
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  15. 2007/12/15
    Alicia J Lifetime Subscription

    Alicia J Geek Member

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    Tony how do you transfer email folders and email settings? I know how to do the I.E. favourites, address book and cookies, but not the email folders and settings. Just curious.
     
    Alicia J,
    #14
  16. 2007/12/15
    rjc1

    rjc1 Inactive Thread Starter

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    I use IncrediMail and it had a setting to Export all data and settings.

    Rhonda
     
    rjc1,
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  17. 2007/12/15
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    If use Outlook, you just copy the PST file to the new comp. If use Outlook Express you can export your account settings and you can copy the mail folders from your user profile. If use Thunderbird you can copy your profile.

    Outlook:
    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/287070

    Outlook Express:
    http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/community/columns/oetopten.mspx (at bottom)
    :
     
    Last edited: 2007/12/15
    TonyT,
    #16
  18. 2007/12/15
    DiggerP

    DiggerP Inactive

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    Hi rjc1,

    I followed this topic for a while and all I can say is that
    a USB to USB connection using a v2.0 USB>USB transfer cable
    beats any other method for speed and convenience.

    They are inexpensive,check here eg
    http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10303&cs_id=1030305&p_id=970&seq=1&format=2
    This one works for XP not Vista.
    The one for Vista is only a few $$ more.

    I have used several of them and it's definitely faster than
    via a cat5 network cable or using a thumb drive,pendrive or whatever you
    want to call it.This last method requires 2 transfers.
    I can't see this to be faster than the simple USB transfer cable.
    The drivers are a cinch to install íf even needed.
    Some models install their own drivers from a chip in the "bubble "
    that's in the cable.

    Just my 2 ¢¢ :)

    Pete.
     
    Last edited: 2007/12/15
    DiggerP,
    #17
  19. 2007/12/15
    Alicia J Lifetime Subscription

    Alicia J Geek Member

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    I do a full system backup once a month anyway, but it would be nice to have a quick program that would take care of email folders etc. I'll check out the program you mentioned, thanks.
     
    Alicia J,
    #18

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