Files and Settings Transfer Wizard turns off computers

[ilyaz]

I have two eMachines both running Windows XP Home SP2 and would like to
transfer some files from one machine to another. However, after I run Files
and Settings Transfer Wizard on both computers, connect them with PC to PC
serial cable and click AUTODETECT, both machine turn off. What's wrong? How
can I transfer files from one machine to another using serial cable?

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Ilya,

Are you trying to run it on both computers at the same time? You should only
do it on one- not both. Be aware also that a serial connection is
exceedingly slow, and the transfer may take several hours, if not days
(depending on the amount of data to be transferred). The recipient machine
must have a shared folder on it that the sender can write to as well. For
more on using FAST, please see:
http://aumha.org/win5/a/fast.htm

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[ilyaz]

Rick,
since you were so kind to respond to my call, may I cry on your shoulder?
;-)
To begin with, let me provide you with more basic info.
As I mentioned it, I have two machines with Win XP SP2 installed. The old
has a floppy and CD drive, the new has almost all kind of drives, but the
floppy. I have one important file on the floppy disk which I'd like to move
(copy) to my new machine. Of course, this file is less than 1.5 Mb, so, time
factor is not a problem. Moreover, I'd keep the cable connection for the
occasional transfer of some files back and forth.
I started the FAST on the new machine to create a Wizard CD (remember, I
have burner, etc., but no floppy on this machine), and was presented with a
list of available drives, but the burner... Then I chose "I don't need a
Wizard Disk", selected "Direct cable" and went to the old machine where I
run the same process up to "Set up your serial connection". However, as soon
as I connected both machines with the serial cable and clicked on
"Autodetect", both machines started to shut off...
I looked at the page you've recommended, but found no answer to my
particular problem. Is there anything I can do to get serial transfer
working?
Thanks for your help.
Ilya

Hi Ilya,

Are you trying to run it on both computers at the same time? You should
only do it on one- not both. Be aware also that a serial connection is
exceedingly slow, and the transfer may take several hours, if not days
(depending on the amount of data to be transferred). The recipient machine
must have a shared folder on it that the sender can write to as well. For
more on using FAST, please see:
http://aumha.org/win5/a/fast.htm

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Sharon F]

Rick,
since you were so kind to respond to my call, may I cry on your shoulder?
;-)
To begin with, let me provide you with more basic info.
As I mentioned it, I have two machines with Win XP SP2 installed. The old
has a floppy and CD drive, the new has almost all kind of drives, but the
floppy. I have one important file on the floppy disk which I'd like to move
(copy) to my new machine. Of course, this file is less than 1.5 Mb, so, time
factor is not a problem. Moreover, I'd keep the cable connection for the
occasional transfer of some files back and forth.
I started the FAST on the new machine to create a Wizard CD (remember, I
have burner, etc., but no floppy on this machine), and was presented with a
list of available drives, but the burner... Then I chose "I don't need a
Wizard Disk", selected "Direct cable" and went to the old machine where I
run the same process up to "Set up your serial connection". However, as soon
as I connected both machines with the serial cable and clicked on
"Autodetect", both machines started to shut off...
I looked at the page you've recommended, but found no answer to my
particular problem. Is there anything I can do to get serial transfer
working?
Thanks for your help.
Ilya

I'm sure Rick will be back around to continue your discussion.

I am also not a fan of serial cable transfers (you're using a null cable,
right?) I'm going to suggest a different route to transfer the file.
Perhaps a USB thumb drive - if the old computer has USB ports. Or, since
this file is only 1.5 MB, upload it to a web space or email it to yourself.
Then download on the new machine.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

As Sharon has noted, there are much easier ways to transfer one small file
(a USB thumb drive would be my choice as well, and they're cheap). As to
both machines shutting down, that is quite odd. Sharon asked about your
cable, have you checked that it's a null modem cable? That would be
important for the machines to talk to each other.

Another way of doing this would be to just install the cables and establish
communications between them (the networking wizard will walk you through
this). Then copy the file to a shared folder on one machine and copy it
across via the network connection. FAST is designed to transfer the bulk of
the system, not just a couple of files.

Another option would be a USB floppy for the new machine, they cost all of
~$20 in the US.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

Rick,
since you were so kind to respond to my call, may I cry on your shoulder?
;-)
To begin with, let me provide you with more basic info.
As I mentioned it, I have two machines with Win XP SP2 installed. The old
has a floppy and CD drive, the new has almost all kind of drives, but the
floppy. I have one important file on the floppy disk which I'd like to
move (copy) to my new machine. Of course, this file is less than 1.5 Mb,
so, time factor is not a problem. Moreover, I'd keep the cable connection
for the occasional transfer of some files back and forth.
I started the FAST on the new machine to create a Wizard CD (remember, I
have burner, etc., but no floppy on this machine), and was presented with
a list of available drives, but the burner... Then I chose "I don't need a
Wizard Disk", selected "Direct cable" and went to the old machine where I
run the same process up to "Set up your serial connection". However, as
soon as I connected both machines with the serial cable and clicked on
"Autodetect", both machines started to shut off...
I looked at the page you've recommended, but found no answer to my
particular problem. Is there anything I can do to get serial transfer
working?
Thanks for your help.
Ilya

 

[ilyaz]

Sharon and Rick,
thanks for your messages.
First, on my old comp, there are only two drives: Floppy and CD. On the new
machine, there are SD, MMC, SM, MS Pro, MD and Compact Flash along with a CD
and DVD burner. As you may see, the CD is the only one I can use on both
machine...
The cable I use is a 9-pin on both ends female.
I like your suggestion "to just install the cables and establish
communications between them" , but when I connect cable both machines turn
off... That's my problem and I'd like to find a solution to it...
Regards,
Ilya

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Ilya,

How are you trying to establish communications? Again, don't rely on the
FAST setup.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[ilyaz]

Rick, I'm not sure what is your question about... FAST or no, the moment I
connect cable to both machine, they both go to sleep... Now, let me ask you
this: if I'll connect cables to both comps while they are off and then turn
them on, will it do any difference?
Ilya

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

I would try it. You might also check the BIOS settings for the serial ports,
as something most certainly is not right.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[ilyaz]

While waiting for your reply, I tried it and watched both machines die
slowly one after another...
I can get to BIOS, but what settings should I change, or what settings do I
need, if you know?
Ilya

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

Locate the serial port settings, post back with what they are. It would help
too if you knew the motherboard make.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[ilyaz]

Both old and new machines' Serial Port A base I/O address 3F8 and Interrupt
IRQ 4. As about motherboard, I think, the old is AN810(E), while the new
one - don't know... Must be Intel according to Belarc.
Also, I have a bad (for me!) news. Found a step-by-step instructions on how
to set DCC. Followed it. Both machines died anyway... So, at this point, I'd
ask you please forget about my call for help. I cried enough on your
shoulder. Thanks a lot for your time and help. I appreciate it.
Ilya

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Ilya,

I do not mind continuing if you don't. The port settings are correct, so
that is not the issue. I suspect you may not have the right type of cable,
are you sure it's a null modem cable

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[ilyaz]

Well, as much as I know, it's a 9 pin female on both ends and it fits nicely
in the serial port on both computers. I looked at a description and a
picture of a <null modem cable> and it looks like mine... Could there be a 9
pin female serial cable that is not null?
Ilya

 

[gls858]

Well, as much as I know, it's a 9 pin female on both ends and it fits nicely
in the serial port on both computers. I looked at a description and a
picture of a <null modem cable> and it looks like mine... Could there be a 9
pin female serial cable that is not null?
Ilya

Yes

 

[ilyaz]

May you elaborate on this "Yes"?
Ilya

Yes

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Ilya,

A null modem cable is wired similar to a crossover cable in that the inputs
from one end are wired to the outputs of the other (and vice-versa). This is
required for a DCC connection. I suspect the cable you are using is simply a
straight feed-through RS232 cable, and this is why the machines don't
respond correctly.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[ilyaz]

Rick,
thanks for your explanation. Tomorrow, I'm going to a shop and will see if
they have a <null serial cable> and how it's different from one I have...
Ilya

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Ilya,

While there, you may want to look at the low cost of USB thumb drives as was
mentioned by Sharon earlier. It would probably be more useful in
transferring files from one pc to the other.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[ilyaz]

Of course, Rick, but the old machine has no USB... You know, this old
machine is like that proverbial suitcase without a handle - difficult to
carry, but cannot leave it...
Ilya.