Importing favorites

G

Guest

I looked and didn't see the problem I'm having.

I copied Favorites from my old machine to a zip drive and then onto my new
machine, locating them where the default Favorites directory is. I used the
Import Wizard and am getting "Cannot find C:(path . . .). Please choose
another file". What should be displayed in the Browse field? What should be
in the file name field? What should the Save As type be?
 
E

Eric McG

If you initially utilized the Import and Export Wizard, you should have had a
single file called bookmark.htm. This file is used by the wizard to import the
Favorites.

If you used Windows Explorer to copy the Favorites shortcuts, then you'll have
to use Windows Explorer to place them in the proper folder for IE to see. The
actual location for your Favorites will depend on your OS. For Windows 2000 Pro
and Windows XP most of the Favorites are contained here:

C:\Documents and Settings\your username\Favorites
 
A

Alan Edwards

If you didn't use Export, then you cannot use Import.

Just copy the contents of the backup Favorites folder to the new
Favorites folder.

....Alan
 
G

Guest

Bless you, Eric. I started over (because I had a NEW XP disappearance . . .)
and exported from IE on the old machine. I did indeed get the bookmark file
which I placed on the zip drive and from which I imported to IE on the new
machine. Voila. This is rhetorical - is there a reason basic functions such
as this are not dispensed by the Comcasts of this world as not everyone who
gets a new machine is a new user with no data baggage? They could offer the
instructions although they don't own IE. Thank you a thousand times. I'm
going to post a similar question on the Outlook Express BB re folders, mail,
and contacts. I have tried and failed to import these items to my new
machine. If you have any guidance, don't be shy.
 
W

wayfarrer

Hi Deedee,

Thanks for the feedback.

Regarding the transfer of OE files, due to the complexity of profiles, it's best
to use backup utilities that have been developed especially for this purpose. OE
doesn't offer a simple solution for this task. Here's a link to one such program
(freeware). It should do everything you want to do, but it takes a little
reading first.

Backup and Restore
http://insideoe.tomsterdam.com/backup/clone.htm

Bookmark this excellent website for future reference.

BTW, if you're transferring this data from one Windows XP machine to another, I
believe it has a utility to do this but I'm not familiar with its
capabilities...sorry.

Enjoy,
 
G

Guest

You're so right, wayfarrer. Actually, after I responded to Eric, I poked
around the OE posts and found a reference to an XP tool called FAST - under
Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Files and Settings Transfer Wizard - that
must be what you mean. Both machines don't have to be XP (I had W2K), and it
looks like it transfers from just about any MS OS. I ran it on the new
machine, and you get to choose what you want to migrate or everything
(there's alot . . .). Since I had already brought over Favorites and My
Documents by myself, I selected everything else. You need media common to
both machines; in my case I used a zip drive. I left the wizard window up
and ran FAST on the old machine. It neatly packs up whatever files and/or
settings you indicated. Then I finished the wizard on the new machine. As
far as OE is concerned, every folder, every piece of mail, every contact was
there. It brings QuickLaunch, System Tray, Internet/Mail settings, on and
on. So far, the only things I've had to set up are Scheduled Tasks and
customized toolbars in all applications, plus anything that is XP only. Not
bad. I now have a bone to pick with the computer seller (no names, first
initial D) who supports the factory-installed XP and didn't or couldn't tell
me about FAST when I specifically asked how to transfer my data. I'm
thinking it might also be used to back up and restore those non-My Documents
files and all other settings in case of emergency (like I had on day 3 when
XP completely disappeared). Hope this helps others avoid agony.
 
W

wayfarrer

Deedee,

Again, thanks for the feedback. You found the right utility and I found a web
page that describes the use of it in detail. I'll reference this link in future
posts. As noted by the web page author, "It is one of the least known new
features in Windows XP, but it is also one of the most useful new features." But
it is something that OEM tech support groups should be familiar with. Here's the
link:

Files And Settings Transfer (FAST) Wizard
http://aumha.org/win5/a/fast.php

Enjoy,
 
G

Gary Smith

Thanks. Somwhow running the wizard from the CD never occurred to me.


wayfarrer said:
See the paragraph titled "Collect the Files and Settings from the Old Computer"
in the following MSKB article:
 

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