How do I get files from my old desktop to my new vista HD

[Archy0130]

I recently built a new computer with Vista Home Premium 64. On the advice of a computer buddy I just took the hard drive from my old computer (Windows XP) and put it in the new build after installing Vista on the new computer.

When I installed the old HD Vista recognized it right away, I'm able to access all the old files, not the programs, but the files. The only problem is that the ones that were on the Desktop on the old computer are protected. I get access denied messages and it routes me to security.

1.)Does anyone know a website that outlines the steps to take to gain access to the old desktop?

2.) Is there a way to move old programs (Word, Excel, etc) from the old hard drive to the new Vista HD? Or do I just need to reinstall all the programs?

Thanks alot for all your help.

 

[chinaman1472]

I think it's much better to do fresh installs of old programs, but I think there's a program out there that will let you copy it.
As for the old HD, if XP is still bootable, which it should be, try booting it through XP, and then moving the files from there.

 

[jkresh]

there are ways to transfer programs but as chinaman1472 resintalling is a much better idea (this is one of the areas where osx has a lot of advantages as you can just copy folders...), as for the transfering the files, if you can boot into xp (which you probably can't) that would be easiest, if not you could try taking ownership of the files/directories in vista (which should work).

 

[chinaman1472]

HE should still be able to dual boot if XP was put on a bootable drive? There should be an option to pick which drive to boot from when it posts correct?

 

[JackMDS]

If you were upgrading XP to Vista x32 using an upgrade version of Vista it should work OK.

If you switched to x64 it probably did not upgrade the XP. It created a New installation while keeping the Data files and quarentined the old XP Progran Files.

It does it in case of a need to reverse back to XP.

Otherwise you ave to get rid of it anf reinstall all the programs.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Archy0130
When I installed the old HD Vista recognized it right away, I'm able to access all the old files, not the programs, but the files. The only problem is that the ones that were on the Desktop on the old computer are protected. I get access denied messages and it routes me to security.

If you can't access personal documents (My Documents and Desktop), then read READ THIS MICROSOFT DOCUMENT and follow the appropriate instructions CAREFULLY and EXACTLY.

There are several third-party programs for moving APPLICATIONS from one PC to another. I don't know if they work well or not. Many, in the past, have been more trouble than they are worth. Take a look at LapLink's PC-MOVER.

 

[Urtho]

How big and how many files are you looking to move here? My first choice would be to put the drive back in it's old system, boot it up and then simply transfer any needed files to a USB key. If that's not enough space, buy yourself the cheapest removable hardrive you can and transfer everything that way. Or network the two computers via simply file sharing if they both have wireless or you can get your hands on some cables.

 

[Diademed]

RebateMonger has the correct answer. It will work and is the correct solution (for your question 1)). My parents had this problem when I built them a new rig. It is because the Desktop folder is stored on a per-user-account basis. Thus, other users don't have access by default. Lucky for you, as admin of a machine, you can take ownership of whatever you want, giving yourself access to the files of whoever previously owned the directory (which is likely under the ACL's of the old machine).

Check out the link RebateMonger gave you, which should explain everything (you want the third link on that page).