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Data transfer from one computer to another

rivethead

rivethead

Platinum Member
Thanks to the many helpful people in these forums, I was able to build a completely new system in April.

My old system was a Gateway with a 10GB HD running Win 98SE and a CD R drive.

My new system is an AMD 64 3000+, Chaintech VNF4 Ultra, 160GB Seagate Sata HD, DVD R/RW drive and Windows XP SP2


Ok, here's my issue: I built the new system completely from scratch and I'm now finding I need some of the files on the old computer. I've got music, photos, and lots of work files (excel, access, word, etc.) on the old computer that I want to have on the new computer.

What's the easiest way to accomplish this?


Here are the options I've thought about:

1) Installing the old HD in the new system temporarily. I currently don't use the old computer for anything, but it will eventually be a basic email/game system for my kids. Can I just install the old HD (which has Win 98 and is FAT32) in my new system and will my motherboard/Windows XP recognize this HD? If so, I could then transfer files at my leisure. Or just copy the entire 10GB HD to one of my unused partitions on my new 160GB HD. That would be the ideal situation.

2) Install the DVD drive in the old computer and burn everthing I need to DVD. Then re-install the DVD in the new system and copy the files from the DVD to HD. Problem here is that it's not a very efficient method unless I don't identify all the files I want transferred and do it all at once.

3) Same as above, but just use the currently installed CR drive. Obviously I'll have to burn lots of CDs compared to 5 DVDs at most under option #2.

4) Somehow hook the two computers together via a cable. I have no idea if this can easily be done or how to do it.

5) Upload 2GB of files to my Yahoo! DSL account briefcase and then download them with the new computer. Yuck.

Any ideas as to the easiest, most time efficient, most cost-efficient method would be appreciated!

Thanks!
 
Why a mirroring program?

This may be a dumb question, but couldn't I just Crtl-A to select all and then copy to one of my unused partitions?

Thanks!
 
I use a USB 2.0 cable sometimes. Set up a small network and copy everything over. This has the advantage of allowing you to select the stuff you need... and waste the rest. If you really need everything then just unhook the hard drive place it in the new machine.

USB 2.0 cables (or firewire if supported) are fairly cheap and come with their own drivers (if needed). Fry's has them.
 
yeah thats what i do to, but one time i wanted to do 60gb like that. it would try to copy, but then some time in the middle there would be random errors, and the whole process would be cancelled. windows isnt that good at this. using software that mirrors is better for really large quantities of data. i cant think of any software off the top of my head, sorry. but as long as your 10gb isnt completely full, you should be fine.
 
Originally posted by: theman
yeah thats what i do to, but one time i wanted to do 60gb like that. it would try to copy, but then some time in the middle there would be random errors, and the whole process would be cancelled. windows isnt that good at this. using software that mirrors is better for really large quantities of data. i cant think of any software off the top of my head, sorry. but as long as your 10gb isnt completely full, you should be fine.
Click to expand...

If you were getting errors, I'd guess that either the Windows installation or the hard disks themselves had some kind of pre-existing problem. I routinely transfer entire gigs of data from one hard disk to another, and have *never* gotten an error (other than the occasional "disk full"). Also, every time I re-install my OS (about once every 2-3 months), I transfer 20-40 GB data at once. Again, I've never had any errors doing that. Never.

However, hard disks are very fragile. It's not as convenient, but you might consider temporarily installing that DVD burner in your old system, and just dumping all the data on 2-3 DVD re-writables. I know that would take a lot longer than just putting the old hard disk in the new system, but the DVD method eliminates such potential disasters as dropping the hard disk or frying it with carpet static.

It's your call.
 
1) Installing the old HD in the new system temporarily. I currently don't use the old computer for anything, but it will eventually be a basic email/game system for my kids. Can I just install the old HD (which has Win 98 and is FAT32) in my new system and will my motherboard/Windows XP recognize this HD? If so, I could then transfer files at my leisure. Or just copy the entire 10GB HD to one of my unused partitions on my new 160GB HD. That would be the ideal situation.
Click to expand...

That'll do it :thumbsup:

Fern
 
Personally, I would use option #2 and copy all the files (not just the ones you think you might need) to DVD. Should fit on 2 dvds if you used Ghost to do the backup.
 
You should be able to easily install the old drive into the new computer. If on same cable as current drive be sure to set master/slave jumpers. If everything is set up properly the old drive should be recognized. Its easy, really. Then just drag and drop work files to the new drive. You certainly don't neet to transfer old Operating System files or program files. Good luck.
 
Originally posted by: ShadowBlade
Originally posted by: Pressure
Just transfer the files over a LAN if you have a router.
Click to expand...

or you could just make or ask a friend to make a crossover cable
Click to expand...


This is actually pretty easy, and you can network the two computers without a router.

Nevertheless, I vote for removing the HD and installing as a slave in the new comp. It will probably be quicker than setting up the network and the transfer speed will definitely be better.

Edited for grammar.
 
Thank you everyone for all the responses.

I think I'll just install the old HD in the new computer. My new HD is SATA and the old one is an IDE drive, so I should have the slave/master issue correct?
 
I'd use the DVD (best) or CD to transfer the data from the old HD to the new HD. Less chance of a major mistake that could mess up your new hard drive.
 
Intall the HDD.
Do this everytime I transfer file to my friends comp etc.
It's the fastest, easiest (second to using cross-over LAN)

Cross-over LAN is easy to setup as well. But transferring at 10Mbps would take you around a day or two for 60GB of data
 
Hi, You got a lot of good answers and a few bad ones. Put the old HD into the new machine is still the best and fastest. If you had problems doing this bdfore then you had a system problem or a bad HD. If it wont work this way it wont work by any other means if the bad drive is the old one. Luck, Jim
 
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