transfering info

[acetoolguy]

I'm finally getting a new desktop and am wondering the best way to move data
from one to the other. I've been told to save data to a flash drive or use a
cable and transfer it that way. on a 10point scale i'd say my computer skills
are about a 3.
I'd be grateful for your thoughts.....

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Will the new machine be running WinXP or Vista?

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

The "Files and Settings Transfer" program is on XP. Vista uses the Windows
Easy Transfer wizard.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

If both computers are running XP then you can use the Files and Settings
Transfer wizard built into XP to move the data to the new computer. The
easiest way is to run FAST on the old machine and save the date to
intermediate storage such as a flash drive or external hard drive. Then run
FAST on the new machine to complete the transfer.

If the old computer is XP and the new one is Vista then you can run the
Windows Easy Transfer wizard on the Vista dvd on the XP machine the same way
as you would FAST and complete the transfer by running WET again on the
Vista machine.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I'm finally getting a new desktop and am wondering the best way to move data
from one to the other. I've been told to save data to a flash drive or use a
cable and transfer it that way. on a 10point scale i'd say my computer skills
are about a 3.
I'd be grateful for your thoughts.....

There are several choices. Here are a few ways:

1. E-mail the data from the old machine and read it on the new one.

2. Network the two machines and transfer the data over the network.

3. Remove the drive from the old computer and install it temporarily
(or even permanently) in the new computer.

4. Use floppies and span the larger files over several diskettes using
a file splitting program (or any standard zip utility, which can also
do this).

5. Copy the files to CDs

6. Copy the files to a USB thumb drive.

Which of these is best for you depends on several things: how much
data you have to transfer, whether you plan to keep the old computer,
whether you are willing to spend a few dollars for a thumb drive if
you don't have one, etc.

 

[acetoolguy]

Sorry...should have encluded I'll be going from XP to Vista.


thanks so much for the quick replys though

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Start here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/features/details/easytransfer.mspx

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Its fun. Enjoy!

HEY! I've only been using Vista for a day! <g>

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Sorry...should have encluded I'll be going from XP to Vista.

Regardless of operating system, all the choices I mentioned should
work.