O.T. Upgrading System

[magineer02]

I have a Dell Dimension 8200 with XP, SP3 , Windows Firewall, Avast antivirus, Spywareblaster, and run Firefox for the Internet and all the programs work well together and are up to date. I’ve upgraded the HD and the RAM and swapped a DVD player for the old 3 ½ inch disc player.

I don’t have a dedicated backup; however, I have all my data stored on DVD-RW disks via Nero.

I’ve been thinking of upgrading to a Dell XPS 8500 combo with 21.5 inch screen

http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-8500/fs


What I’d like to know is how can I transfer my links from the 8200 to the8500. Is there an easy way to do it without having a dedicated backup? CanI put the links on a DVD-RW disk?

Also, any thoughts on the 8500 /McAfee or Windows 8? As I understand it. It’s a departure from all OS’s? Personally, I would rather have Avast vs McAfee.

Thanks,
Robert

 

[David H. Lipman]

I have a Dell Dimension 8200 with XP, SP3 , Windows Firewall, Avast antivirus,
Spywareblaster, and run Firefox for the Internet and all the programs work well together
and are up to date. I’ve upgraded the HD and the RAM and swapped a DVD player for the
old
3 ½ inch disc player.

I don’t have a dedicated backup; however, I have all my data stored on DVD-RW disks via
Nero.

I’ve been thinking of upgrading to a Dell XPS 8500 combo with 21.5 inch screen

http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-8500/fs


What I’d like to know is how can I transfer my links from the 8200 to the 8500. Is there
an easy way to do it without having a dedicated backup? Can I put the links on a DVD-RW
disk?

Also, any thoughts on the 8500 /McAfee or Windows 8? As I understand it. It’s a
departure
from all OS’s? Personally, I would rather have Avast vs McAfee.

Thanks,
Robert

Stick with Avast and don't go with McAfee "retail" AV software.

The Dell XPS 8500 is fine.
If it is Win8/32 get 4GB RAM
If it is Win8/64 (most likely) minimum 6~8GB is reccomended.

With Win8 I also reccomend Classic Shell to get over the Metro UI.
http://www.classicshell.net/

As for transferring data such as Favourites, links, documents, etc...

Get a 3 1/2" IDE to USB hard disk enclosure. Then you can hand the hard disk of the
Dimension as an external hard disk to the XPS and traffer the data. Once the data is
transferred, you can reformat the external hard disk and use it for backups.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...kwCjCs81CjCE&gclid=CNOTzMfLqbYCFVGf4AodX3cABg

Or you can use a Universal hard disk conversion kit to just access and transfer the data
to the new computer.
http://www.starsurplus.com/viewitem.lasso?i=2020

 

[Paul]

I have a Dell Dimension 8200 with XP, SP3 , Windows Firewall, Avast antivirus, Spywareblaster, and run Firefox for the Internet and all the programs work well together and are up to date. I’ve upgraded the HD and the RAM and swapped a DVD player for the old 3 ½ inch disc player.

I don’t have a dedicated backup; however, I have all my data stored on DVD-RW disks via Nero.

I’ve been thinking of upgrading to a Dell XPS 8500 combo with 21.5 inch screen

http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-8500/fs


What I’d like to know is how can I transfer my links from the 8200 to the 8500. Is there an easy way to do it without having a dedicated backup? Can I put the links on a DVD-RW disk?

Also, any thoughts on the 8500 /McAfee or Windows 8? As I understand it. It’s a departure from all OS’s? Personally, I would rather have Avast vs McAfee.

Thanks,
Robert

To backup your "links", there are a couple ways.

This folder has .json files, which is the internal representation of the bookmarks.
Substitute your username, where appropriate. The "xxxxxxxx" thing, is the profile number,
which is eight characters and is randomly generated by Firefox. That value is likely
different for every user (and, you can select a profile using the Profile Manager,
if you can figure out how to trigger it). So if you were ever desperate, the
five days worth of backups in here can help you to "preserve your links".

C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\xxxxxxxx.default\bookmarkbackups

The real way to do it, is via Exporting.

Go to the Bookmarks menu, and select "Export". Then save as a file.
What that does, is convert the .json file, to HTML. The HTML
file can be viewed in any browser. I regularly use the Export
function, and save the file with a date string ( bookmarks_Apr1_2013.html ).

http://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb...irectslug=Exporting+bookmarks+to+an+HTML+file

Then, on the new computer, install Firefox, go to the Organize Bookmarks section
and select "Import", then open the HTML file created on the other computer. All
of your bookmarks should be copied into the new Firefox. (Note - may require
minor editing, as required.)

When you have the HTML file in hand, you can also edit it. If you
install Seamonkey browser, there is a tool in there called Composer,
and it can be used to edit HTML. I recently used that, to remove
some crap from my bookmarks listing. It didn't work that well, until
I went into the Preferences of the Composer, and selected "preserve spacing".
Then it came closer to keeping the entries, looking like they used to.

As long as you don't damage the original information, you can always go back
and attempt to Export the stuff again. Every once in a while, with Firefox
completely shut down, you can make a copy of the Profiles folder, for a rainy day.
I use 7-Zip, to compress my copy.

Paul

 

[magineer02]

From: <[email protected]>












Stick with Avast and don't go with McAfee "retail" AV software.



The Dell XPS 8500 is fine.

If it is Win8/32 get 4GB RAM

If it is Win8/64 (most likely) minimum 6~8GB is reccomended.



With Win8 I also reccomend Classic Shell to get over the Metro UI.

http://www.classicshell.net/



As for transferring data such as Favourites, links, documents, etc...



Get a 3 1/2" IDE to USB hard disk enclosure. Then you can hand the hard disk of the

Dimension as an external hard disk to the XPS and traffer the data. Oncethe data is

transferred, you can reformat the external hard disk and use it for backups.



http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...kwCjCs81CjCE&gclid=CNOTzMfLqbYCFVGf4AodX3cABg



Or you can use a Universal hard disk conversion kit to just access and transfer the data

to the new computer.

http://www.starsurplus.com/viewitem.lasso?i=2020



--

Dave

Multi-AV Scanning Tool - http://multi-av.thespykiller.co.uk

http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp

I should have noted that I will be getting this 4 months hence. So there's no hurry but I wanted to get a feel for what I wanted and/or needed. I'll have to uninstall McAFEE once I get the computer, then switch it to Avast (Ialready contacted Dell about it). It will have the following upgraded features.

Win 8 - 64 bit
12 GB Dual Channel DDR3 1600MHz - 4 DIMM's
NVIDIA GForce GT 640 1GB GDDR5
Dell Ultra Sharp U2212HM 21.5 inch flat panel display

I'll have to take some time to over what you've given me.

Thanks,
Robert

 

[David H. Lipman]

I should have noted that I will be getting this 4 months hence. So there's no hurry but
I
wanted to get a feel for what I wanted and/or needed. I'll have to uninstall McAFEE once
I
get the computer, then switch it to Avast (I already contacted Dell about it). It will
have the following upgraded features.

Win 8 - 64 bit
12 GB Dual Channel DDR3 1600MHz - 4 DIMM's
NVIDIA GForce GT 640 1GB GDDR5
Dell Ultra Sharp U2212HM 21.5 inch flat panel display

I'll have to take some time to over what you've given me.

Thanks,
Robert

OK, specs are good.

 

[Andy]

From: <[email protected]>











OK, specs are good.





--

Dave

Multi-AV Scanning Tool - http://multi-av.thespykiller.co.uk

http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp

I would recommended setting this to true in firefox.
And backup the bookmarks file daily.

about:config

browser.bookmarks.autoExportHTML

 

[magineer02]

On Tuesday, April 2, 2013 6:34:04 AM UTC-5, David H. Lipman wrote:




I would recommended setting this to true in firefox.

And backup the bookmarks file daily.



about:config



browser.bookmarks.autoExportHTML

I don't understand what you mean exactly by doing this? Are the above commands to do this?

Robert

 

[magineer02]

OK, specs are good.





--

Dave

Multi-AV Scanning Tool - http://multi-av.thespykiller.co.uk

http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp

I still am thinking over getting a dedicated backup
at the same time. Any thought’s suggestions?

I also found this while doing a test checkout to see
what options I had e.g. RAMM

The High-Speed USB file transfer cable is the premier
file and data sharing solution for PC and Mac users.
The Go Suite utility software is embedded on the High-
Speed USB transfer cable and will automatically load
... Full Description

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellst...pp11m&model_id=xps-8500&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19

Wouldn’t this be an easier faster way to transfer data?
Would I need any third party, after market software?

Thanks,
Robert

 

[David H. Lipman]

I don't understand what you mean exactly by doing this? Are the above commands to do
this?


Robert

Don't worry about it. Paul's information is the *best* way after Firefox is installed.
Not only will you get the book marks but the look and feel you had with the OLD PC.

Basically once you have the hard disk of the XP PC hanging off the Win8 PC you can copy
all your data over and we will be here to assist you.

 

[David H. Lipman]

I still am thinking over getting a dedicated backup
at the same time. Any thought’s suggestions?

I also found this while doing a test checkout to see
what options I had e.g. RAMM

The High-Speed USB file transfer cable is the premier
file and data sharing solution for PC and Mac users.
The Go Suite utility software is embedded on the High-
Speed USB transfer cable and will automatically load
... Full Description

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellst...pp11m&model_id=xps-8500&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19

Wouldn’t this be an easier faster way to transfer data?
Would I need any third party, after market software?

Thanks,
Robert

I don't know what you are pointing to. I see MS 360 crap and "options".

What I provided you is the easiest way to go. Either you use a "kit" just to transfer the
data or you use an an external chassis such that you can the permanantly hand the XP PC
hard disk off the Win8 PC for data backups. The hardware can be USB 2.0 or USB 3.0.

 

[Paul]

I don't understand what you mean exactly by doing this? Are the above commands to do this?

Robert

In Firefox, if you go to the place where you type your normal URLs,
in there you can type other commands. Firefox understands more
than one kind of command. These are examples of commands...

http://www.microsoft.com
aboutlugins
about:config

The first one, would take you to the Microsoft web site. That's HTTP.

The second one (works in Firefox), tells you what plugins are installed
in the browser.

The third one, brings up a secret preferences listing. It shows all the
internal preferences inside the browser. And it does it, without the fancy
GUI you get from the normal Preferences or Options in a browser.

The "about:config" shows a text listing, that looks like this.
Here, in the "Filter" bar, I typed "browser", to narrow down the
entries enough to see the one mentioned.

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/936/aboutconfig.gif

You will notice in my example, I haven't changed the setting yet,
and it is still at the default "false" value.

Since that one is a boolean (only has values True or False),
just double-clicking on that line, changes its state. It toggles
between True and False, by double-clicking.

When a line in that file is changed from the default value, it is
highlighted with "bold" text.

Note that, the about:config internal preferences interface
*has no Undo option* !!! If you make a mistake, there is no going
back. (In many ways, it's like working in Regedit.) For example,
I erased a line in about:config once, and it was a bitch to put back.
You can always back up the entire profile folder, if you can figure
out where it is located. And that affords some protection against
a big mistake. Just don't try to delete anything in there. Since
the setting you're seeking to change there is a boolean, double
clicking is relatively safe, and you can undo your change, by double
clicking the entry again.

*******

When making changes to your computer, keep a text file journal.
In the journal, make an entry that describes that you've changed
about:config, what entry you changed and so on. That will function
as a reminder later, of what you changed.

I keep such a journal file, but I don't put every change I make in there.
But any changes I get off the Internet, that are "exceptionally clever"
and I'll never remember them, I put them in my text file for later.

HTH,
Paul

 

[Paul]

I still am thinking over getting a dedicated backup
at the same time. Any thought’s suggestions?

I also found this while doing a test checkout to see
what options I had e.g. RAMM

The High-Speed USB file transfer cable is the premier
file and data sharing solution for PC and Mac users.
The Go Suite utility software is embedded on the High-
Speed USB transfer cable and will automatically load
... Full Description

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellst...pp11m&model_id=xps-8500&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19

Wouldn’t this be an easier faster way to transfer data?
Would I need any third party, after market software?

Thanks,
Robert

That thing is a so-called Laplink cable, and is used with
tools such as the Files and Settings Transfer (FAST) Wizard.
It provides a means to move gobs of data and settings,
from the old computer to the new computer.

http://accessories.dell.com/sna/Pop...&cs=19&sku=A6655891&price=17.99&client=config

There are many other ways to get files from the old computer.

That cable doesn't implement a backup scheme as such.

*******

For backups, the first thing you need, is a storage device.
Examples of storage would include backing up to DVDs (takes
time, loading blank DVDs and writing them). Or, a more popular
option now, is doing a backup copy to an external hard drive.
The external hard drive can have an ESATA or USB interface, as
examples of types. And you can keep copies of your valuable
files on the external disk, then power off and disconnect the
external disk when you aren't using it. Powering off the
external disk when not using it, is to prevent damage to the
disk in a catastrophe.

Say for example, lightning hits your house. Maybe it blows up
all the components inside your computer. If, at the instant
the lightning hits, the external backup drive is safely disconnected
from the computer, it won't get hurt. And then, once the computer
is repaired or replaced, you can restore the data from the backup
external drive.

Operating systems, such as Windows 7 or Windows 8, they have
a System Image function. If you can't find it, these are some
commands you can type in a Command Prompt window.

sdclt /configure
sdclt /configure /target

I do an image backup of my C: partition, as part of my backup
strategy.

A similar approach and tool flow, is Macrium Reflect Free.
You download this, and install on the PC. The tool offers to
prepare a recovery CD, and what that does, is give you something
to boot the PC with, if you ever need to restore C: . (The built-in
recovery CD is good enough, and you don't need to download WAIK
from Microsoft to use this...) Reflect Free is very similar to
the System Image method provided with the OS, in that it uses
VSS and can backup C: while the OS is running.

http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx

In Windows 8, the .vhd (or .vhdx) files made by such backup tools,
can be mounted as if they were hard drives. So if you ever need to
browse a backup image, there is supposed to be a way to do it. In
the same way that in Windows 8, you can right click on a .iso file
and it mounts as a virtual CD drive.

Paul

 

[Andy]

I don't understand what you mean exactly by doing this? Are the above commands to do this?



Robert

It will produce a bookmarks.html file in your profile directory that you can back up.

 

[magineer02]

That thing is a so-called Laplink cable, and is used with

tools such as the Files and Settings Transfer (FAST) Wizard.

It provides a means to move gobs of data and settings,

from the old computer to the new computer.



http://accessories.dell.com/sna/Pop...&cs=19&sku=A6655891&price=17.99&client=config



There are many other ways to get files from the old computer.



That cable doesn't implement a backup scheme as such.



*******



For backups, the first thing you need, is a storage device.

Examples of storage would include backing up to DVDs (takes

time, loading blank DVDs and writing them). Or, a more popular

option now, is doing a backup copy to an external hard drive.

The external hard drive can have an ESATA or USB interface, as

examples of types. And you can keep copies of your valuable

files on the external disk, then power off and disconnect the

external disk when you aren't using it. Powering off the

external disk when not using it, is to prevent damage to the

disk in a catastrophe.



Say for example, lightning hits your house. Maybe it blows up

all the components inside your computer. If, at the instant

the lightning hits, the external backup drive is safely disconnected

from the computer, it won't get hurt. And then, once the computer

is repaired or replaced, you can restore the data from the backup

external drive.



Operating systems, such as Windows 7 or Windows 8, they have

a System Image function. If you can't find it, these are some

commands you can type in a Command Prompt window.



sdclt /configure

sdclt /configure /target



I do an image backup of my C: partition, as part of my backup

strategy.



A similar approach and tool flow, is Macrium Reflect Free.

You download this, and install on the PC. The tool offers to

prepare a recovery CD, and what that does, is give you something

to boot the PC with, if you ever need to restore C: . (The built-in

recovery CD is good enough, and you don't need to download WAIK

from Microsoft to use this...) Reflect Free is very similar to

the System Image method provided with the OS, in that it uses

VSS and can backup C: while the OS is running.



http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx



In Windows 8, the .vhd (or .vhdx) files made by such backup tools,

can be mounted as if they were hard drives. So if you ever need to

browse a backup image, there is supposed to be a way to do it. In

the same way that in Windows 8, you can right click on a .iso file

and it mounts as a virtual CD drive.



Paul

Lots of information for me to go through. From the sound of it Macrium Reflect Free sounds like a good thing to have although doesn't Microsoft provide a Master Backup CD? I would prefer a separate dedicated HD, how many , TB? GB? cost?. In the meantime should I still go with the Classic Shell?

With Win8 I also reccomend Classic Shell to get over the Metro UI.
http://www.classicshell.net/

I want to take this opportunity to match up a good dedicated HD backup thatwould compliment the computer so that I'll have a mirror image of the HD in case I need it.

Please bear with me, I can understand most of what your saying but sometimes it gets over my head.


Thanks,
Robert

 

[Paul]

The hard disk removed from the WinXP PC can be applied as a "good
dedicated HD backup " and Macrium software is an excellent choice for
backup up.

Yes you should go with Classic Shell. Agian, it overcomes the
shortcomings of the Win8 Metro user interface.

If I had to choose between sticking the old drive right inside the
new computer, versus sticking the old drive in an external enclosure,
I'd pick the external enclosure.

That's to encourage turning off the external drive, when you're not using it.

As for size, 40GB would be enough to back up the contents of the new computer.
Which means virtually any, cost effective hard drive, would make a good
choice. A hard drive mechanism, can't dip below about $50 or so,
and the incremental cost of adding to the capacity, isn't that steep.

There are a ton of drives out there, and you can use the customer ratings
to decide which ones are good. This is just one, a SATA drive, picked at
random. 1TB (1000GB) for $120, isn't the cheapest one out there. The
warranty on this one is five years (if you like that sort of thing).
That's partially what the higher price covers.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148784

This is an example of an enclosure. I selected an enclosure which
is fan cooled. And when you do that, one of the checks you have to
do, is check that the enclosure has both intake and exhaust vents. I've
seen enclosures for sale, which had an exhaust fan, but there were no
holes in the case for intake air (doh!). When you hold your hand near
the rear of the case, you can't feel any airflow.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817332025

That one comes with an external adapter, so there will be enough power
to run a 3.5" drive. It includes a USB3 cable. (You can plug the drive
into either a USB2 computer or a USB3 computer, but the USB3 one will
run a bit faster on data transfers.) USB3 interfaces have four pins USB2
and five pins USB3, so both interface types have their own pins.

You can assemble the two items, the new disk drive (internal type)
and SATA enclosure, using a screwdriver. Always read the customer
reviews for the enclosure, as occasionally the Chinese screw them up.
(Wrong dimensions, poor fit of the mechanical components.) Previous
customers will have seen all this, and included the details in their
review. There really aren't a lot of products out there that
are entirely trouble free, which is why the customer reviews
are highly recommended. I got really lucky on the last one I bought,
and it's been completely trouble free (has a fan, intake holes, and
everything).

On that Venus case above, the fan type is "integrated", versus the older
design concept which is "40mm separate". Enclosures with the 40mm fan,
you can pull the square fan out of the enclosure, and replace it when
it wears out. If you leave the Venus running for a couple of years
straight, and the fan wears out, the fan is joined to the enclosure
casing somehow, so you can't replace it. If the fan was made
replaceable, and oriented horizontally as is shown in the photos, it
would make the casing too thick. That's why, when they do a horizontal
fan, it's custom made and not a standard computer fan.

On the other hand, cases with the 40mm vertically oriented fan, it can
be replaced. But a caution there is, some 40mm fans come broken on day one.
It got so bad here, I no longer run the enclosures with the 40mm fans,
without replacing them with a high quality 40mm ball bearing fan bought
locally. That was my solution to the "40mm fan quality issue". One
enclosure I got, there was a pool of oil just below the fan, and the oil
had run out of the fan. The fan was noisy in a matter of minutes. So
I just pop a ball bearing fan in its place.

If you suspect the 40mm fan will fail, try to buy an enclosure which is
a bit longer than it needs to be, in the hope there will be more room
for a full sized (25mm thick) 40mm square fan.

So those are the petty annoyances, of doing your own disk + enclosure.

The drive enclosure that didn't have any intake vents, I fixed that
with my electric drill. I made swiss cheese out of the plastic
bottom of the enclosure, up near the front, and that's where that
enclosure gets the cool intake air from. When the drive is sitting
on the table, you can't see my handiwork (I don't know what I'd do
without an electric drill.)

Paul

 

[Andy]

If I had to choose between sticking the old drive right inside the

new computer, versus sticking the old drive in an external enclosure,

I'd pick the external enclosure.



That's to encourage turning off the external drive, when you're not using it.



As for size, 40GB would be enough to back up the contents of the new computer.

Which means virtually any, cost effective hard drive, would make a good

choice. A hard drive mechanism, can't dip below about $50 or so,

and the incremental cost of adding to the capacity, isn't that steep.



There are a ton of drives out there, and you can use the customer ratings

to decide which ones are good. This is just one, a SATA drive, picked at

random. 1TB (1000GB) for $120, isn't the cheapest one out there. The

warranty on this one is five years (if you like that sort of thing).

That's partially what the higher price covers.



http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148784



This is an example of an enclosure. I selected an enclosure which

is fan cooled. And when you do that, one of the checks you have to

do, is check that the enclosure has both intake and exhaust vents. I've

seen enclosures for sale, which had an exhaust fan, but there were no

holes in the case for intake air (doh!). When you hold your hand near

the rear of the case, you can't feel any airflow.



http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817332025



That one comes with an external adapter, so there will be enough power

to run a 3.5" drive. It includes a USB3 cable. (You can plug the drive

into either a USB2 computer or a USB3 computer, but the USB3 one will

run a bit faster on data transfers.) USB3 interfaces have four pins USB2

and five pins USB3, so both interface types have their own pins.



You can assemble the two items, the new disk drive (internal type)

and SATA enclosure, using a screwdriver. Always read the customer

reviews for the enclosure, as occasionally the Chinese screw them up.

(Wrong dimensions, poor fit of the mechanical components.) Previous

customers will have seen all this, and included the details in their

review. There really aren't a lot of products out there that

are entirely trouble free, which is why the customer reviews

are highly recommended. I got really lucky on the last one I bought,

and it's been completely trouble free (has a fan, intake holes, and

everything).



On that Venus case above, the fan type is "integrated", versus the older

design concept which is "40mm separate". Enclosures with the 40mm fan,

you can pull the square fan out of the enclosure, and replace it when

it wears out. If you leave the Venus running for a couple of years

straight, and the fan wears out, the fan is joined to the enclosure

casing somehow, so you can't replace it. If the fan was made

replaceable, and oriented horizontally as is shown in the photos, it

would make the casing too thick. That's why, when they do a horizontal

fan, it's custom made and not a standard computer fan.



On the other hand, cases with the 40mm vertically oriented fan, it can

be replaced. But a caution there is, some 40mm fans come broken on day one.

It got so bad here, I no longer run the enclosures with the 40mm fans,

without replacing them with a high quality 40mm ball bearing fan bought

locally. That was my solution to the "40mm fan quality issue". One

enclosure I got, there was a pool of oil just below the fan, and the oil

had run out of the fan. The fan was noisy in a matter of minutes. So

I just pop a ball bearing fan in its place.



If you suspect the 40mm fan will fail, try to buy an enclosure which is

a bit longer than it needs to be, in the hope there will be more room

for a full sized (25mm thick) 40mm square fan.



So those are the petty annoyances, of doing your own disk + enclosure.



The drive enclosure that didn't have any intake vents, I fixed that

with my electric drill. I made swiss cheese out of the plastic

bottom of the enclosure, up near the front, and that's where that

enclosure gets the cool intake air from. When the drive is sitting

on the table, you can't see my handiwork (I don't know what I'd do

without an electric drill.)



Paul

I think the price for the hard drive case is rather high.

Much cheaper to build it yourself.

I built a cooling system for my laptop hard drive.
It brings the hard drive temp down by an average of 11 degrees F.

Andy

 

[magineer02]

From: "Paul" <[email protected]>









< snip >



Which is basically what I suggested on April 1st. Put the drive in an

external chassis that converts to USB and then port the data. Once the data

has been ported the drive can be reformatted and used as a backup device to

the Win8 PC.



It was not suggested to install the WinXP IDE hard disk in the Win8 PC

because it is an IDE drive and the new PC is unlikely to have an IDE/PATA

interface. That would require a PCI IDE card. While both methodolgies have

a cost associated with their respective implementations, and external

chassis has a higher benefit factor for the cost involved.



--

Dave

Multi-AV Scanning Tool - http://multi-av.thespykiller.co.uk

http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp

Dear Dave,

I must have missed the above post. As far as backups etc. As I said previously I prefer an external HD with associated software. One that I would prefer I can disconnect and shut off. I will need time to go over Paul's comments but it seems to that there should be in/out ducts and fans for cooling.

I'm not sure what you meant here:

The hard disk removed from the WinXP PC can be applied as a "good dedicated
HD backup " and Macrium software is an excellent choice for backup up.

Did you mean that if needed I could use the HD from the 8200 as a backup? or format it and put it in another case and use it as a backup? either or, Iwould prefer to leave the 8200 intact just in case. You never know.


So far,,.. I'll get the

XPS 8500 Fast track config43
3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-3770 processor (up to 3.90 GHz)
Windows 8, 64-bit, English
12 RAMM
NVIDIA card
16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW), write to CD/DVD
1TB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive 6.0 Gb/s
Dell Wireless 1703 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth v4.0+LE
Integrated 7.1 with WAVE MAXXAudio 4
Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet
Dell SRV Software 1703
Cyberlink Media Suite Essentials DVD
Classic Shell
21.5 inch Monitor
Dedicated HD backup (Make/model/software)?

Thoughts/Suggestions,
Thanks,
Robert

 

[magineer02]

From: <[email protected]>






























If you extract IDE hard disk from the WinXP PC and get a USB to 3 1/2" IDE

hard disk enclosure you then then place the IDE hard disk and place it

within said enclosure. Then that drive can be externally connected to the

Win8/64 PC via USB. You can then extract your data and Firefox profile.

Once the data has been extracted to the Win8/64 PC, you can reformat the

external drive/. Then use Macrium software (or the built-in Win8 software)

you can use the external drive as a backup device. Being an external drive

it can be connected at will and can be powered up or powered down at will

(always make sure you always use the Safe To Remove utility prior to

diconnected or powering down the external drive first).



--

Dave

Multi-AV Scanning Tool - http://multi-av.thespykiller.co.uk

http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp

As I said, I would prefer to leave the 8200 intact. Also, I think it would be better to buy a new HD for the external HD. The present one has approx 140GB but it's seen some years and I want one that will last and easy to use..

There's allot I don't know about external HD's and software and I'll have to re-visit Paul's comments.

Also, I would like to talk about partitioning the HD once I get the 8500. Iwould prefer to have the OS in one partition and all the data in another. I think however, I will start another thread for these topics.

Thanks for all your good help,
Robert

 

[magineer02]

(e-mail address removed) wrote:














That thing is a so-called Laplink cable, and is used with

tools such as the Files and Settings Transfer (FAST) Wizard.

It provides a means to move gobs of data and settings,

from the old computer to the new computer.



http://accessories.dell.com/sna/Pop...&cs=19&sku=A6655891&price=17.99&client=config



There are many other ways to get files from the old computer.



That cable doesn't implement a backup scheme as such.



*******

I was thinking of using this to initially transfer my data from the 8200 tothe 8500. Sorry, I should have made myself clear. I wasn't thinking of using this as a backup. However, could I use this to connect me external backup to the 8500 as well?

Thanks,
Robert

 

[Paul]

I was thinking of using this to initially transfer my data from the 8200 to the 8500. Sorry, I should have made myself clear. I wasn't thinking of using this as a backup. However, could I use this to connect me external backup to the 8500 as well?

Thanks,
Robert

You use a "regular" USB cable for the external USB hard drive.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usb

A "regular" cable has Type A on one end, Type B on the other end.
Type A plugs into the computer. Type B plugs into the enclosure.

You can verify this for yourself, by looking at pictures of the
drive enclosure you're buying. See if there is a "square connector hole"
for the Type B.

*******

The Laplink cable is, strictly speaking, non-standard. It has
Type A on both ends, and a "blob" of electronics located somewhere
between the two connectors. The "blob" provides logical isolation
between the two computers ("hosts"). We're not sure about the
electrical properties - if using Laplink, I would recommend the
two computers be on the same power strip. That seems safest.
That's because of the potential for a ground loop.

Some laptop external drives, come with absolutely illegal cables,
with Type A male, on all ends. You should *not* connect two computers
together with that. Of course, the temptation for manufacturers
to do something that stupid, was just overpowering, and they
couldn't help themselves.

USB is meant to connect from host to peripheral, not host to host.
The Laplink cable solves that problem, via logical isolation.
The "blob" of electronics, forms an electronic mailbox. The
software on one side, sees the mailbox, and leaves a "letter"
in the mailbox. The computer accessing the other side of
the blob, notices it just received a "letter" in its view
of the mailbox. In this way, two hosts communicate with
each other, without violating the design intent of the USB
architecture. The computers think they're talking to a "mailbox
peripheral", so each computer thinks it is a host to peripheral
situation.

Unfortunately, there are other USB cables with "blobs". They're
active repeater cables. In that case, there's a male and female
connector on either end of the cable, and the blob houses a
one-port-hub (USB hub) electronics. Active repeater cables are
used for making a "USB extension cord", so you can connect a
web cam a couple of rooms over. And a repeater cable, since it has
male on one end and female on the other, cannot be used
to connect two computers directly to one another. Only
a Laplink cable can be used for that. And a Laplink cable
cannot function as an extension cord, because again, it
has the wrong connectors on the end.

As long as cable makers avoid providing all manner of adapters,
then the user can't get in trouble. By violating the rules,
then we end up with a mess, where the consumer needs tech
support, every time they reach for USB. Which is not
a desirable situation. The connector types were originally
intended to make the cabling "foolproof".

I know this is only making matters worse, but thought I'd
provide a little background.

Paul