Changing computers

[madmackem]

Hi all, going to be changing my computer soon and was wondering how to go about transfering my programmes from one to the other, my old computer is about 7 years old and i have quite a lot of stuff i would like to move to my new computer, is it possible to like one to the other and transfer over that way don't realy wan't to put every thing on disc as it would take forever.

 

 

Thank's

Peter

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Hi Pete

 

Will you have Vista on the new PC?

 

If so have a read of this from Microsoft.

 

How to use Windows Easy Transfer to migrate files and settings from one Windows-based computer to another Windows Vista-based computer

[Tootech]

Hi Pete,

 

What version of Windows are you going from and to?

 

As Wolfey has said, perhaps the easiest way to move all your data is using the Easy Transfer Wizard.

 

If you link your PC's using a network cable or USB cable, and you have a lot of data, it will take an age, and sometimes it is a pain to get running.

 

Your best bet would be to use an external hard drive, run the backup to external drive, then pull it all in again on your new machine - it's almost painless!

 

Transferring programs can be a little tricky. Licensing issues can cause problems. There are programs that will utilise your network, or come with a special USB cable that will transfer programs over for you.

 

Have a look here for a review of PC Mover, quite a useful utility

 

Laplink PC Mover 3.0 PC-migration utility - PC Advisor

[BeeCeeBee]

Hello Peter,

 

Are you planning on keeping your old PC? If not I would urge that you follow the advice Tootech has given you regarding an external hard drive. It is always important have your data backed up. In fact I would recommend it even if you are using the easy transfer wizard. If your old PC is going or being used for another purpose its usefulness as backup will be lost.

 

If you truly have that much "stuff" then it may be a long time before you know if a transfer has been 100% successful unless you test every program one by one before you dispose of the old PC.

 

You really have to evaluate what programs need to be saved. Discs that have been purchased can simply be installed again as you need them and downloaded programs that were purchased will have supplied you an activation key of some kind. Freeware is probably not worth transferring anyway.

 

Finally when you do a transfer you not only move all the programs that you use, you are also transferring stuff that you probably forgot you even have and have never used. Why burdon your new PC with any useless junk?

[Tootech]

Couple of other things worth noting - beecee's post have made me think a little bit more :)

 

The Easy Transfer Wizard creates a special image file when it backs up your data and settings. The file can be very large - 10 to 15GB is common when a hard drive is storing music and documents. That's why I suggested using an external hard drive.

 

There is a case for sanitizing your old hard if you are going to dispose of it.

 

That basically means wiping it so that any personal documents cannot be retrieved in the future. Simply formatting it would not do that.

[madmackem]

changing computers

 

Hi All

Sorry i have not been on line for a while, but thank you for all your very usefull help i will realy help me when i get my new pc.

 

 

Peter.

[Jamiedalmatian]

DVDRRW Problems

 

:mad:

I have a Compaqu Presario, which is about 3 years old. It is running XP SP3 and has been fairly good.

However the DVD RW (HL-DT-ST DVDRRw GCA-4164B) is not running correctly.

 

It wil Play a DVD video via the windows media player, although the sound is destorted. When a program installation disc is inserted the the computer does nothing, when I try and access the drive via the "run" option I just get the message "Insert Disc", eventhough it already has one installed. This somtimes ends in the computor freezing.

 

If I run the test programs on the computor, I get the message that the drive is running correctly. I have tried unistalling and reinstalling, updating Drivers, including the latest from the manufacturers.

 

If I have to go to PC world, I think I will come out with a new computor. I would be grateful for any suggestions as to my next course of action.

 

Thanks

 

Jamiedalmatian:confused:

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Jamiedalmation, can you please start a new thread for your problem.

 

We will be more than happy to help you but this is an old thread so you may not get any answers on this one.

Any problems with finding what to do, please click on this link below.

 

http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/introductions/7940-use-forum-and-post-new-messages.html