DISCLAIMER: I know a decent amount about computers, but I know I don't know nearly as much as you all so flame on if you have to, but at least give me an answer here.

Question: I got a new laptop and need to transfer the files from my old one (works fine, nothing wrong) to the new one. I have a lot of stuff to transfer so emailing is out of the question. Whats the best way to do this? Can I hook them up directly to one another with just one cord? Can I do it through a router? If so, how?

9/18/2007 8:36:58 AM

you have many options:

a) get a USB file transfer cable, they're cheap. drag and drop files from one computer to the other.

b) set up network shares on each computer and transfer files over the network

c) get some special software to do b) for you.

d) get an external HD, copy shit, then copy it from the HD to your new computer.

9/18/2007 9:09:57 AM

I like:

b) set up network shares on each computer and transfer files over the network - easiest one since you're probably already on a network

e) use crossover cable if you can get one for cheap/free - use auto configured ip settings

9/18/2007 9:25:59 AM

windows home networking is the bane of my existence.

9/18/2007 11:46:12 AM

honestly, I dont know how to setup shares.. or at least i dont know that i know how to might not know its called that..

9/18/2007 12:20:50 PM

Plug up both computers to the router. In Windows Explorer, right click the folder or drive and choose Sharing and Security... Check the "Share this fold on the network" box.

On the new computer, Start -> My Network Places, then "View Workgroup Computers". Your old system will show up like just another hard drive.

(If they're not already, choose "Set up a home or small office network" and go through the setup process to setup the same workgroup for both computers.)

[Edited on September 18, 2007 at 12:49 PM. Reason : .]

9/18/2007 12:36:42 PM

^ likelihood of that working on the first try is about 25% i'd say

[Edited on September 18, 2007 at 12:44 PM. Reason : windows is flaky as a mother]

9/18/2007 12:43:43 PM

Sometimes you have to specifically search for the computer you're looking for, ie: "BOBSDELL" or whatever you named your computer during that setup.

The better option is to plug both hard drives into the same machine, but since these are laptops that's not really possible without a USB 2.0 External Hard Drive enclosure, which might be a bit faster if you know someone that will loan you one.

9/18/2007 12:48:37 PM

over the network is the least expensive way but can take forever (hours and hours for GB's of data assuming 10/100.

imho, i'd buy a cheap 2.5" enclosure for $10, take the hdd out of one laptop and plug it into the enclosure then just plug it up to the new laptop...

9/18/2007 2:17:01 PM

dont get an enclosure

get this:

http://www.xpcgear.com/ideusbv2.html

much more versatile, it will do sata, ide 2.5" and ide 3.5" to usb 2.0

[Edited on September 18, 2007 at 3:11 PM. Reason : usb 2.0

9/18/2007 3:10:53 PM

^^Not hours and hours really ... takes about 30 mins to transfer ~15gb over a 100mbit. I mean, I guess it depends how much you're transferring. So we're talking about 2 hours for a fully loaded 60gb HDD, it's not like it's an eternity for a one-time event

Transfer over the network, it's REAL easy and fast enough.

[Edited on September 18, 2007 at 3:32 PM. Reason : .]

9/18/2007 3:32:11 PM

http://www.mozy.com

9/18/2007 10:43:34 PM