CJ Posted October 15, 2006 Share Posted October 15, 2006 I have acquired a new PC for my sons / ex wife back in Wales and they want to move all their programs and files (pictures etc) from the old machine to this new one. What is the easiest (and inexpensive) way of doing this? I was thinking of transferring all the data to an external hard drive then transferring it to a new one. Is that sensible or am I talking out of my arse again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted October 15, 2006 Share Posted October 15, 2006 Files (like photos, documents and emails) is easy. Transferring installed programs is almost impossible. Just install the programs again on the new PC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan999 Posted October 15, 2006 Share Posted October 15, 2006 I would do that if you have one or burn them onto a DVD/CD and do it that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gzaerojon Posted October 15, 2006 Share Posted October 15, 2006 transfering to another hard drive is a good idea as it saves making loads of disc back ups, but im not sure if you can salvage programs this way what programs are you using? have you still got the programs on disk? oh and make sure you only delete the files once they are succesfully copied over to the new pc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gzaerojon Posted October 15, 2006 Share Posted October 15, 2006 lol all 3 replys at once Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted October 15, 2006 Author Share Posted October 15, 2006 I thought as much (with the program files I mean). So, one of the 40gb hard drives off flea bay should be OK for them then? Any reccomendations on a particular make? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted October 15, 2006 Share Posted October 15, 2006 Dear way of doing it. I'd just network them together and transfer the files that way. Or stick the HD from the old PC in the new one as a slave and them move the files onto the new one's HD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gzaerojon Posted October 15, 2006 Share Posted October 15, 2006 have you got a normal spare hard drive CJ? if so then it would be cheaper to just buy an empty caddy and fit your hard drive inside? actually, thinking about it you could just buy an empty caddy and remove the hard drive from the pc you are copying from and install it in the caddy, you can just browse the hard drive then and copy what ever you like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted October 15, 2006 Author Share Posted October 15, 2006 Dear way of doing it. I'd just network them together and transfer the files that way. I (or my lads) would do that if we knew how. I also thought that it would be usefull to have a back up of all the pictures etc that we seem to collect over the years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted October 15, 2006 Author Share Posted October 15, 2006 have you got a normal spare hard drive CJ? if so then it would be cheaper to just buy an empty caddy and fit your hard drive inside? actually, thinking about it you could just buy an empty caddy and remove the hard drive from the pc you are copying from and install it in the caddy, you can just browse the hard drive then and copy what ever you like I think you have to remember that I am to computing what Rudolph Nureyev was to Rugby League - fecking useless! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted October 15, 2006 Share Posted October 15, 2006 it would be usefull to have a back up of all the pictures etc that we seem to collect over the years. That's what CDs and DVDs are for Col. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gzaerojon Posted October 15, 2006 Share Posted October 15, 2006 I think you have to remember that I am to computing what Rudolph Nureyev was to Rugby League - fecking useless! lol sorry ok you need one of THESE so you can just plug in your old hard drive, then you can just plug it into the new pc and copy all the stuff you need from it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gzaerojon Posted October 15, 2006 Share Posted October 15, 2006 That's what CDs and DVDs are for Col. i always back up important things on cd/dvd as hard drives can fail (as my friend just found out when he lost over 200gb of mp3 collected over 8 years) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted October 15, 2006 Share Posted October 15, 2006 Basically Col, bung the files onto DVDs or CDs is the simplest non-tech way. It may take you longer but not too bad. It depends how many Gig of files we're talking about. Another way is to get a Null Modem cable and link the two PCs together and do it that way (assuming both PCs have network cards). A null modem cable will cost you like £10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted October 15, 2006 Author Share Posted October 15, 2006 Thanks guys. I think the CD / DVD method is best. Even my ex cannot feck that up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopite Posted October 15, 2006 Share Posted October 15, 2006 Even my ex cannot feck that up Famous last words! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrRalphMan Posted October 16, 2006 Share Posted October 16, 2006 Dude, If the old machine going to be used any more. Quickest way would be to bung the old HD into the new machine and copy the files that way. If it's not going to be used (Old PC that is), just keep the old HD in the new machine for storage. Also please please please partition the new machine, that was it's easy to format/re-install windows/apps, without running the risk of losing your data. Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MONKEYmark Posted October 16, 2006 Share Posted October 16, 2006 i use a old program called win comander.you could always have a external usb hard drive its so easy to move files.would not wast time with a 40 gig hd you can get a 160 gig drive for small change now and get a usb external case for 15 pounds. i store all my mp3 and films on a 300 gig usb drive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew7 Posted October 16, 2006 Share Posted October 16, 2006 Also please please please partition the new machine, that was it's easy to format/re-install windows/apps, without running the risk of losing your data. Paul. Use HyperOs for this...highly recommended and user friendly on a day-to-day basis.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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