Data From Old Computer

[jrphoenix]

I am getting a new computer in the coming months. I have a lot of data that I want to transfer from my old hard drive (about 30 GB of data). Some of the data I need to transfer are files over 800 Mb. My computer only has a CD burner so I can not burn all the data to discs moving it back and forth (this would be time consuming). I don't want to have to setup a full blown home network now... maybe in the future. Is there a way to hook two computers together (they both have a network card) to click and drag data or somehow get the data from one computer to the other?

I have heard of (only heard of) the program Norton Ghost.... is this something I would have to use and if it is how? I will need to transfer this data as soon as possible.

Thank you for the help!

 

[johnjkr1]

Why don't you just plug your old hard drive into your new computer as a slave device. That would be the fastest way to copy over large files.

 

[Flightsim]

I agree, just install your old HD as a slave to your new one. You know how to do this, right? Then copy and paste whatever you need, or keep your old HD for extra storage.

 

[AluminumStudios]

x3 - temporarily installing an old hard drive in a new system is the fastest way to copy your data to your new hard drive unless you network the computers (you don't have to set up a whole home network, all you need is a $15 Ethernet card in each of them and a cross-over Ethernet cable to plug them directly together.) If you're not familair with networking though someone will have to give you directions on how to configure them so they'll see each other in that case (no time to type it up right this moment, sorry.)

Burning CDs or any other method is really tedious, time consuming, and unnecessary IMHO.

 

[WackyDan]

Or you can buy an external case for the old drive and transfer it via USB, and from there on use it as a backup - which would be wise.

 

[vegetation]

Listen to everyone here and slave the hard drive. 100mbps network transfer for 30gb of data is going to be agonizing.

 

[jrphoenix]

Originally posted by: Flightsim
I agree, just install your old HD as a slave to your new one. You know how to do this, right? Then copy and paste whatever you need, or keep your old HD for extra storage.

I have installed a hard drive before.... never had to setup multiple hard drives. I know there is a master / slave switch or jumper setting on the back of hard drives. Will there be a problem hooking up this hard drive which has Windows XP installed on it? I imagine that since it is set to the slave drive that the system won't look at it when booting up? I am still learning quite a bit and not an expert on this stuff. I didn't know if there was someway to just hook the PC's together and transfer the data through their network cards?

I can't take the old hard drive and put it in the new system. The new system is going to be a high end gaming rig.... While I'm gaming, my wife can use the other. I will be setting up a wireless network eventually (when I get the funds)... I don't want to wait that long to transfer the data.

 

[jrphoenix]

Originally posted by: AluminumStudios
x3 - temporarily installing an old hard drive in a new system is the fastest way to copy your data to your new hard drive unless you network the computers (you don't have to set up a whole home network, all you need is a $15 Ethernet card in each of them and a cross-over Ethernet cable to plug them directly together.) If you're not familair with networking though someone will have to give you directions on how to configure them so they'll see each other in that case (no time to type it up right this moment, sorry.)

Burning CDs or any other method is really tedious, time consuming, and unnecessary IMHO.

I thought there may be a way to do this..... If anyone finds the time (both systems have network cards now and in the future I will be setting up a wireless network).... please let me know how to network these two computers correctly to transfer the data.

Maybe it would be easier just to take out the hard drive and put it back later?

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Quickest way = install the old HD as slave, on secondary IDE
Most elegant way = buy a USB 2.0 external case - good for the future, too...


*edit* for instructions to install the secondary HD as slave, look here

 

[dderolph]

I can't take the old hard drive and put it in the new system. The new system is going to be a high end gaming rig.... While I'm gaming, my wife can use the other. I will be setting up a wireless network eventually (when I get the funds)... I don't want to wait that long to transfer the data.

jrphoenix, can you say "temporary"? Just hook it up, copy the files that you want to your new drive, and then remove the old drive. In fact, you would not even have to completely mount the old drive in the new computer case. As long as it's sitting on a steady surface, just connect the cables, set the master/slave switches, and transfer your files. I do believe you should make sure the bottom of the hard drive is not touching metal; the bottom of the drive is basically a circuit board.

 

[jrphoenix]

Originally posted by: dderolph

I can't take the old hard drive and put it in the new system. The new system is going to be a high end gaming rig.... While I'm gaming, my wife can use the other. I will be setting up a wireless network eventually (when I get the funds)... I don't want to wait that long to transfer the data.

jrphoenix, can you say "temporary"? Just hook it up, copy the files that you want to your new drive, and then remove the old drive. In fact, you would not even have to completely mount the old drive in the new computer case. As long as it's sitting on a steady surface, just connect the cables, set the master/slave switches, and transfer your files. I do believe you should make sure the bottom of the hard drive is not touching metal; the bottom of the drive is basically a circuit board.

This sounds like the best option..... I'll go ahead and temporarily install it and then put it back. Thank you to everyone for the information / suggestions!

 

[jrphoenix]

Originally posted by: AnitaPeterson
Quickest way = install the old HD as slave, on secondary IDE
Most elegant way = buy a USB 2.0 external case - good for the future, too...


*edit* for instructions to install the secondary HD as slave, look here

Anita, thank you for the link!!!

 

[warcrow]

Let us know how it turns out.

 

[stinger96]

I am hoping anyone can help me in this problem. Last night I hooked up my old hd in my new system(it was on the same IDE cable with the Hard Drive 2 printing) and my computer would not boot up. I followed the link to mechBgon's great build guide, but I need some detailed instructions on the following:

1) Do I just leave one of the connections on the IDE HD cable unhooked and use switch my CD/RW or DVD drive IDE cable to the slave drive?
2) Is the switch for master/slave on the back of each drive itself(they are currently bolted under the sleeves and I did not know to look last night)?
3)What do I need to do in BIOS? I have no clue here.

Thanks in advance for any help. -Trent

 

[stinger96]

I forgot to add...my old HD is from a my P2 300mHz Win 98 computer, compared to my new p4 WinXP. Will the differing OS impact the transfer in anyway? Thanks again, Trent

 

[stinger96]

Update: I did take out the hard drives and found the jumper connections and configured my new one to DS Master (what is CS enabled and Cap Limit btw?) and my old drive to device 1 (slave). Do I just move these plastic brackets to the new config? Does any connector fit into these pins? I hooked up my old hd to the IDE and power supply from the CD/RW drive and restarted--so now the HD #2 IDE and ps is unhooked. Still have no clue about changes in BIOS...

Thanks, Trent

 

[ElFenix]

you shouldn't need to change anything in bios. modern bios will autodetect hard drives and CDs.

CS means cable select. that means that if you plug the drive into the slave connector it will be slave, if in the master connector it will be master. so unless the other drive is set to master and is on the slave connector or vice versa, it should work just fine with CS. set limit probably limits the size of the drive to X number of gigabytes.

 

[stinger96]

ElFenix,
It seems as if my mp3's are transferring in windows explorer. So on the jumper settings, all I had to do was move the plastic pin cover to the needed slave or master connection without plugging anything into the pins? Thanks, Trent

 

[nineball9]

Unless I misunderstand your post, the "plastic pin cover" is not a cover, it is a jumper. It creates an electrical connection between the 2 pins. To see for yourself, check the continuity of the jumper with a multimeter.

 

[stinger96]

I don't own a multimeter, but I guess I was mistaken calling it a cover when it is in reality the jumper itself (encloses 4 pins). Is this right?

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: stinger96
I don't own a multimeter, but I guess I was mistaken calling it a cover when it is in reality the jumper itself (encloses 4 pins). Is this right?

a jumper should only be connecting 2 pins... maybe you have 2 jumpers?

 

[SonicIce]

Originally posted by: vegetation
Listen to everyone here and slave the hard drive. 100mbps network transfer for 30gb of data is going to be agonizing.

it would only take a few minutes...