Transferring data files from one computer to another. Help!

[Guest]

My 3-year old Dell Dimensions is dying, and I would like to transfer my
important files to my new laptop. Is there some way to do so? And if it
takes special equipment, where might I find it?

Thank you

 

[R. McCarty]

Use Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, it will get 99% of content to
load on a new system.
Here's a good article on how it works and how to use it:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/deploy/mgrtfset.mspx

 

[Guest]

Thank you very much. I will give it a try. I'm very frustrated with the
desktop computer as I've been extremely careful about practicing good
"computer hygiene" and have installed all manner of spyware and virus
protection software. I also have been faithful about tidying up files, etc.
Dell wants $99 for a consult to try and help revive the thing. Not sure if
it's a good use of $$.

F. Collins

 

[R. McCarty]

A 3-Year old PC would be worth salvaging, even as a 2nd PC. One
problem is the accumulation of dust inside a PC. Opening a Dell case
isn't difficult. Take it outside and use a can of compressed air to blow
the dust out. Heat is a Personal Computer's biggest enemy. Dust traps
heat. For most folks a 10-minute cleanup twice a year is time well
spent. Most things in a PC are securely fastened so just using the air
won't or shouldn't hurt anything. When you say "Dying" in what way
is the computer going bad on you ?

 

[Guest]

Out of the blue, it wouldn't open after being "fired up". Then when it
did/does, it will not allow any access to some applications or, for instance,
access to "performance and maintenance" in the control panel. I ran Norton
utilities disk doctor and win doctor; I tried the self-help walkthrough
involving running "config". Today the system is up and open, but I'm afraid
to try to open any documents or applications. I'm just copying files to a
1/2G jump drive, then transferring them to my laptop. Kind of like emptying
a swimming pool with a teaspoon. AND the desktop thinks the HP printer is
unplugged for some bizarre reason.

 

[R. McCarty]

Appreciate the details - I would just open a command prompt window
and do a cursory Chkdsk on your C: drive. See if indicates any issues
that require a /F run. If it does indicate a more comprehensive run, do
not do it until you've got your data retrieved from it. Without going into
details I wouldn't place a lot of faith in Norton Utilities to resolve
system
issues. From your description it seems to me like disk inconsistencies.

 

[Rock]

My 3-year old Dell Dimensions is dying, and I would like to transfer my
important files to my new laptop. Is there some way to do so? And if it
takes special equipment, where might I find it?

Thank you

To add on to what R. McCarty said, know that F.A.S.T (Files and Settings
Transfer) will transfer certain files and settings but does not transfer
programs. Those need to be reinstalled from original media.

Here's a good article on using F.A.S.T
http://aumha.org/win5/a/fast.htm

After saving all the data you want, download a drive diagnostic utility
from the drive manufacturer's web site. This will create a bootable
floppy or CD. Boot from that and run the diagnostics.