Using File Transfer Wizard with a New Computer

[sdavies6]

I am upgrading my computer next week, and I've been wondering how I'm going
to transfer important stuff from the old to the new. Important stuff
includes working files; jpgs, docs, etc; program settings and preferences;
and downloaded programs. I know I have several options:

1) I can save all files and identifiable program settings and preference
files on disk, reinstall the programs I have on disk to the new computer,
and reinstall all of the stuff from the disks. I have no idea how I
transfer programs downloaded in this scenario, as I do not have disks.

Problem with this is that it is very labor intensive, and I may have to
search the Internet for previously downloaded programs, as well as
downloaded updates to programs.

2) I can use the Windows XP File and Transfer Wizard. I'm not sure what
files and programs it can transfer, and I do not know if it can actually
transfer installed programs. I will guess that it cannot, as the programs
need to be installed and configured in the registry, during setup. So, I
assume this only transfer the files.

Problem with this is I have to buy the correct Null Modem Serial Cable,
keep both computers close to each other.

So, what exactly does the Wizard do, and is it really worth the trouble?
What limitations or problems might I encounter? Is there a simple Wizard
for the Wizard I can read regarding this?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I am upgrading my computer next week, and I've been wondering how
I'm going to transfer important stuff from the old to the new. Important
stuff includes working files; jpgs, docs, etc; program
settings and preferences; and downloaded programs. I know I have
several options:
1) I can save all files and identifiable program settings and
preference files on disk, reinstall the programs I have on disk to
the new computer, and reinstall all of the stuff from the disks. I
have no idea how I transfer programs downloaded in this scenario,
as I do not have disks.
Problem with this is that it is very labor intensive, and I may
have to search the Internet for previously downloaded programs, as
well as downloaded updates to programs.

2) I can use the Windows XP File and Transfer Wizard. I'm not
sure what files and programs it can transfer, and I do not know if
it can actually transfer installed programs. I will guess that it
cannot, as the programs need to be installed and configured in the
registry, during setup. So, I assume this only transfer the files.

Problem with this is I have to buy the correct Null Modem Serial
Cable, keep both computers close to each other.

So, what exactly does the Wizard do, and is it really worth the
trouble? What limitations or problems might I encounter? Is there
a simple Wizard for the Wizard I can read regarding this?

I would suggest installing ALL of the programs you use and are not already
installed on your new computer.

Applications can bury themselves in too many places to do that reliably
(IMHO). You need your installation media to reinstall all applications you
use and are not included in the new PC installation. That will likely
include office application, downloaded and installed applications, etc.
This is the best way to do this - because why would you want to drag all
that old crap onto your clean computer?

However - you can try some of the applications that claim to do what you
want - they cost however..
http://www.spearit.com/index.html
(I have not tested this software.)

As for your files and settings - after you have installed all the same
applications - yes - you can use the Files and Settings transfer wizard to
export all of your files and settings and then use it to import them onto
the new PC. I would suggest using the FAST wizard from the Windows XP CD -
not from each machine.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/getstarted/bott_fstw.mspx

http://www.g4tv.com/callforhelparchive/features/27543/Transfer_Data_Between_Hard_Drives.html

 

[xfile]

Hi,

Just to share with you,

(1) "...do not know if it can actually transfer installed programs." - as
far as I know, it does not. You may need a program such as Norton Ghost to
do that, but then again, you have to reproduce the image of the entire disk
and move it to the new system and cannot "select" only programs that you
wish to move.

(2) Downloaded programs: Personally, I always keep a copy of downloaded
programs just in case needed in the future. So you may wish to download
those programs (and device drivers) before moving to a new system.

(3) "Problem with this is that it is very labor intensive," : Agree, and
this is one thing I dislike about XP, and seems Vista does not change much
on this.

Finally, as far as I know, you would need a 3rd-party program to retrieve
user name and passwords of previously visited sites stored in the system and
then move those information to a system. File and Transfer Wizard won't do
this for you. Again, that is why I keep a long list of registration
information.

Hope this helps and good luck.

 

[sdavies6]

I would suggest installing ALL of the programs you use and are not already
installed on your new computer.

Applications can bury themselves in too many places to do that reliably
(IMHO). You need your installation media to reinstall all applications
you use and are not included in the new PC installation. That will likely
include office application, downloaded and installed applications, etc.
This is the best way to do this - because why would you want to drag all
that old crap onto your clean computer?

However - you can try some of the applications that claim to do what you
want - they cost however..
http://www.spearit.com/index.html
(I have not tested this software.)

As for your files and settings - after you have installed all the same
applications - yes - you can use the Files and Settings transfer wizard to
export all of your files and settings and then use it to import them onto
the new PC. I would suggest using the FAST wizard from the Windows XP
CD - not from each machine.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/getstarted/bott_fstw.mspx

http://www.g4tv.com/callforhelparchive/features/27543/Transfer_Data_Between_Hard_Drives.html

Thanks for your help. I followed your links, and found some pretty good
resources. A few of the articles hail from 2001, so I am a bit leary of
following advice that old; however, the general thrust of it all seems
reliable.

Your answers and the knowledge base point to several problems I thought of
and did not articulate earlier. First among them is that I only have one
monitor and the process seems to entail having both computers running the
Wizard, and the need to monitor this. Unless it is advisable to plug and
replug the monitor in and out from one to the other, it seems that this adds
to the complexity of the process. Another problem is identifying exactly
what is important to migrate and what isn't. One of the articles suggest
making a list.

Is a NULL MODEM SERIAL CABLE as good an option as the NETWORK CONNECTING
CABLE? I would have to buy either one. It seems to me that the Network
option requires going back and forth between the two computers (again,
monitor on both) to make sure the two are talking to each other properly.

I think I may end up transferring everything via CD backup and download. If
I am able to identify which program has seetings/preference files, and where
they are, I may be able to simply copy and paste after installing the
program itself. Even the Wizard contemplates that I must setup each program
anew, before transferring settings.

One thing I have learned is that I should keep all my downloaded zip files
and exe's after setup of programs and upgrades. Since I haven't, I must
find these plug-ins and upgrades, etc.,, again; the Wizard can't help there.

I may just continue my inventory of my computer, and seek instructions for
each program to find out important files to be transferred and do it by CD
transfer.

Am I right, in my assesment that the Wizard option may only improve the
process marginally, while presenting some additional problems?

 

[sdavies6]

What about cookies? Some of the cookies on y computer are welcomed. How do
I transfer those to my new computer?

 

[xfile]

Hi,

Hope you were talking about your cookies and not my cookies

In any case, you could use Import/Export function from IT to accomplish
that, but then again, I am not sure how those cookies will help.

Best wishes.