Files & Settings Transfer Wizard compuet connections

[Guest]

Hi.

I'm sure this is a dumb question, but I could use some help. I'm trying to
transfer files from a nine year old laptop that has serial and parallel ports
but no Ethernet or USB ports, to a more recent computer that has parallel and
USB ports but no serial port. What kind of cable do I need using which ports
on each computer in order to use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard?

 

[PA Bear]

Using WinXP's FAST Wizard, by MVP Gary Woodruff
(Please read the caveats about Outlook Express)
http://aumha.org/win5/a/fast.htm

 

[Ron Martell]

Hi.

I'm sure this is a dumb question, but I could use some help. I'm trying to
transfer files from a nine year old laptop that has serial and parallel ports
but no Ethernet or USB ports, to a more recent computer that has parallel and
USB ports but no serial port. What kind of cable do I need using which ports
on each computer in order to use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard?

If I were faced with that situation (and similar ones do come up
fairly often) my approach would be to:

1. Create a folder named Transfer on the laptop's hard drive.
2. Run the FASTW on the laptop and have it save the results in the
c:\transfer folder.
3. When that finishes, shut down the laptop and remove the hard
drive.
4. Using a 2.5 to 3.5 drive adapter install the laptop hard drive
temporarily as a second hard drive in the new computer, using the
secondary IDE channel (disconnecting the CD/DVD drive(s) which are
usually on that channel.
5. Boot up the new computer and run FASTW to import the saved data
from the laptop's hard drive.

Another approach would be to check the laptop for a PC Card (PCMCIA
Card) slot and get an ethernet network adapter for it. Then you
could set up a peer-to-peer network for the two computers and transfer
the FASTW results that way.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2008)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Guest]

Thanks much. Since my laptop's hard drive is nearly full, I don't expect
that I'd be able to save the data there. You reminded me that I do have a
plug-in Ethernet adapter card for the laptop, so I guess I'll try your second
approach. I just have to learn how to set up peer to peer networks first.

One other question: Computer stores I've checked sell a Serial-to-USB
cable. Can I use that to create a serial port on the new computer?

Thanks again.

 

[Ron Martell]

Thanks much. Since my laptop's hard drive is nearly full, I don't expect
that I'd be able to save the data there. You reminded me that I do have a
plug-in Ethernet adapter card for the laptop, so I guess I'll try your second
approach. I just have to learn how to set up peer to peer networks first.

One other question: Computer stores I've checked sell a Serial-to-USB
cable. Can I use that to create a serial port on the new computer?

Thanks again.

I have not had good experiences with these USB/Serial or USB/Parallel
converters.

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2008)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Plato]

I have not had good experiences with these USB/Serial or USB/Parallel
converters.

They fail more often then they work from my experience. Get a device
that will work without a converter, even if it's just a mouse.

 

[RalfG]

Direct cable connection via parallel cable. IIRC previous versions of
Windows used to have a configuration wizard for this. In XP setting up a
direct connection is included in the Network Connection wizard "advanced"
connections.

Some info:
http://www.spearit.com/cable.html

If the option is available in BIOS set the parallel ports on both computers
to use ECP or EPP modes (enhanced) rather than SPP (standard) mode because
they are both considerably faster. ECP and EPP speeds can exceed USB 1.1
(3MBytes/second vs 13mbits/second) while SPP mode is only 150kbs.