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OT:New PC - Transfer old files/programs?


BeeTL

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Posted

I just got a new PC running XP Home and have an old laptop running XP Pro.

 

The laptop has my email, MS Office, and a few other minor programs I'd like to transfer. I also have a 100 Gig external drive.

 

Can I just copy the c:/ drive of the laptop to the external drive, then save to the c:/ drive of the new PC, or should I get a program like Laplink PCmover to facilitate the process?

 

I intended to buy PCmover with the PC purchase, but I forgot.

 

After reading reviews of these kinds of software, I'm wondering if the external drive approach is the better way to go?

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Posted

For outlook, create a PST, and export it. One file, and done. For others, you can just drop everything off into the external, and move it back to the new PC. Just don't move system files, or actual programs because they won't work.

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Posted

I just got a new PC running XP Home and have an old laptop running XP Pro.


The laptop has my email, MS Office, and a few other minor programs I'd like to transfer. I also have a 100 Gig external drive.


Can I just copy the c:/ drive of the laptop to the external drive, then save to the c:/ drive of the new PC, or should I get a program like Laplink PCmover to facilitate the process?


I intended to buy PCmover with the PC purchase, but I forgot.


After reading reviews of these kinds of software, I'm wondering if the external drive approach is the better way to go?

 

NO! You cannot copy the whole C: drive because windows is active on that drive and it will fail to copy the active programs / windows. Personally, I know where my data is and copy just those files to the external and then to the new machine keeping the old machine and the external as a double backup in case something goes wrong. Be very careful!! :)

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Posted

If you already have the drive, its easier and cheaper to use it. Its big enough to fit everything, yeah? The sticky part will be installing the old programs onto the new machine. You still have the discs, yeah? If you want to go pc-to-pc, you could always get a cross-over cable from circuit city or best buy. Its a CAT5 ethernet cable with the opposing ends wired "opposite" so 2 computers can talk directly to each other without a router or anything in between.

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Posted

OK, I'm seeing that the copy/paste idea won't work for PROGRAMS, only data files. Other than email, there's not much data on the old laptop.

 

It sounds like if I want to move programs, I need PCmover.

 

I don't have the program discs, by the way, at least I don't think so.

 

The laptop was given to me by my brother post-divorce as a stopgap. It's on its last legs, so I was hoping to salvage MS Office, etc. vs. buying these new or using MS Works.

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Posted

I guess if you use a backup/ghost program like PCMover, then you probably will be able to get your applications moved, but it's not something you can do manually.

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Posted

If you ain't skeered, you can install your old drive into the new computer and copy it all internally. Again, don't try to move the "Windows" folder, or othr programs, but all your other data can move over. For most users, I'd then remove the older drive.

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Posted

 

If you ain't skeered, you can install your old drive into the new computer and copy it all internally. Again, don't try to move the "Windows" folder, or othr programs, but all your other data can move over. For most users, I'd then remove the older drive.

 

Ah ain't skeered!

 

It's a laptop, so can the old drive be removed and reinstalled in a traditional PC?

 

Edit:

 

Actually, it's the PROGRAMS I really want!

  • Members
Posted

Ah ain't skeered!


It's a laptop, so can the old drive be removed and reinstalled in a traditional PC?


Edit:


Actually, it's the PROGRAMS I really want!

 

you need a special cable/adapter to hook up a laptop harddrive to a desktop.

 

you need to reinstall programs for the most part except for some smaller ones that may work if you copy the install folder over to the new pc. when you install a program you make other changes to the pc than just creating a folder under program files and putting some crap in it. you also create registry entries that are computer specific which make the program work. you can try it but most times, copying the files over will not be enough.

 

that and +1 for not overwriting your c:windows folder :thu:

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Posted

It's honestly a lot easier to just reinstall, unless you can't get your hands on discs. What software are you hoping to move? There might be easy ways to get copies of them, or replacements for them.

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Posted

While we're on the same topic, could anybody tell me how I go about transferring my old email files from MS Outlook from my laptop onto my desktop where I use Mozilla Thunderbird.

  • Members
Posted

 

While we're on the same topic, could anybody tell me how I go about transferring my old email files from MS Outlook from my laptop onto my desktop where I use Mozilla Thunderbird.

 

 

I can't remember if Thunderbird will import your emails and settings from Outlook, but If it does, you can transfer everything with a prog called MozBackup.

Just got through doin that myself and it brought over 4 email accounts and all my archived emails.

  • Members
Posted

 

OK, I'm seeing that the copy/paste idea won't work for PROGRAMS, only data files. Other than email, there's not much data on the old laptop.


It sounds like if I want to move programs, I need PCmover.


I don't have the program discs, by the way, at least I don't think so.


The laptop was given to me by my brother post-divorce as a stopgap. It's on its last legs, so I was hoping to salvage MS Office, etc. vs. buying these new or using MS Works.

 

 

Copy/paste all data files. I've used CD-R's and Thumb drives.

 

Programs you can also just do the clean reinstallation instead of using PCMover.

  • Members
Posted

 

It's honestly a lot easier to just reinstall, unless you can't get your hands on discs. What software are you hoping to move? There might be easy ways to get copies of them, or replacements for them.

 

MS Office is the big one. I'm going to try PC mover and see how it goes.

 

Wish me luck, and thanks!

  • 2 weeks later...
  • Members
Posted

MINI REVIEW:

 

I bought Laplink's PCmover software, and I am really impressed.

 

Pros:

 

It did what it was supposed to. Period. ALL of the applications and files I selected for transfer are now happily residing on my new PC.

 

Cons:

 

I spent several evenings being frustrated that the USB link cable was not being recognized by the "old" PC. I waited to call customer service until normal work hours, bounced around a bit, then gave up.

 

Today I went to the Laplink website, looked up the FAQs, followed the instructions for uninstalling/reinstalling the USB driver, and I'm in business!

 

Verdict:

 

Highly recommended, particularly if you have some PC savvy and are capable of doing a little troubleshooting on your own.

 

:thu:

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