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Transferring files from computer to computer

T

TheBiggmann

Senior member
Hey I built a computer for a friend and they want some of the stuff off their old computer. Only problem is, when i say old, I mean OLD. My flash drive won't open in it and it doesn't meet the requirements for the burner software. I could always use a floppy I guess but they want pictures and that would be a pain, pLus some music, which won't even fit. So what is the best way to get all that information off of that hard drive and onto the new one?
 
The best ( and most efficient, less time consuming ) way to do that is to remove the old HDD from their computer, and plug it on the new system.
Copy-paste and you're done.
 
Originally posted by: BenchZowner
The best ( and most efficient, less time consuming ) way to do that is to remove the old HDD from their computer, and plug it on the new system.
Copy-paste and you're done.
Click to expand...

you could do this or always transfer the files over from a network 🙂 using a crossover cable or if there already on a network.
 
Follow BenchZowner's advice - the best way is not to involve the old computer at all. If it is truly old, it will not even have a USB port or a NIC.
 
How about if I want to take some music off of my good computer and put it on my laptop? I'd rather not rip all the cd's again and some of them were downloaded files anyway. Tell me more about this crossover cable thing, where/for how much I can get one, and anything else I might want to know about it. Or if anyone else has any suggestions, feel free to throw me at me. By the way, I got the files off of ther other computer by hooking up the old hard drive to it; worked great. Thanks.
 
Since no one answered yet, I'll get you started. A crossover cable goes from your RJ45 NIC port in one computer to the NIC port of the other computer. This should allow the computers to network. A 7 foot crossover cable is $1.99 (plus shipping) at newegg. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...Submit=ENE&N=0&Ntk=all&Go.x=16&Go.y=33

If they don't auto connect http://www.ezlan.net/direct.html can guide you in setting that up.

If for some reason that is inconvenient, there is an $5.99 adapter http://www.ezlan.net/direct.html for laptop to desktop IDE. Put the laptop drive in the desktop.

Jim
 
Well, I'm officially frustrated. It won't let me set up a network. I'm not sure if I'm setting up the cables right because I didn't put in an aftermarket NIC and I'm just using my MOBO's ethernet ports for my internet. So I'm hooking up the ethernet to my port on my computer, putting that into the modem, which is what I'm supposed to do from what I can tell, and then doing the same with my laptop. I tried following some of the instructions on the link you sent me, but when i run a Network setup and use my XP disc in the laptop it says I already belong to a domain and won't continue the installation. Also, do I need to buy specifically a crossover cable, or can i just use any ethernet cable that I have lying around?
 
Originally posted by: TheBiggmann
Well, I'm officially frustrated. It won't let me set up a network. I'm not sure if I'm setting up the cables right because I didn't put in an aftermarket NIC and I'm just using my MOBO's ethernet ports for my internet. So I'm hooking up the ethernet to my port on my computer, putting that into the modem, which is what I'm supposed to do from what I can tell, and then doing the same with my laptop. I tried following some of the instructions on the link you sent me, but when i run a Network setup and use my XP disc in the laptop it says I already belong to a domain and won't continue the installation. Also, do I need to buy specifically a crossover cable, or can i just use any ethernet cable that I have lying around?
Click to expand...

crossover cable is different as 2 of the cables are switched. a regular ethernet won't do it. now you also say you are connecting to the modem???? a modem and nic are two different items...what exactly are you connecting to?

i think the best thing to do is put the old hdd in the new computer
 
If you have a switch/router, hook them up to that with your ethernet cable and then with file/print sharing you should be able to connect and transfer your files (considering you have your ips configured already, such as with dhcp).
 
I would use a USB flash drive if the files are relatively small and centrally located, ie less than 2GB and mostly in My Docs
 
Yeah, I know an NIC and modem are different, but from what i could understand from the network wiz that was how i should connect them and plus, I'm not exactly sure what port to use to get into the NIC because i never put a dedicated one in, all i have is the mobo's ethernet ports. If i get a crossover can i just plug into the mobo's ethernet ports and then an ethernet port on the laptop and it'll work?
Edit: ohh yeah, Pianoman, I would probably just use a flahs drive but a) I'm taking some music off of it, and b) I lost my flahs drive lol.
 
Originally posted by: sjandrewbsme
I could be wrong, but I think most relatively new NIC's and routers are autosensing.
Click to expand...

this may be true but he states he is using onboard nics, and who knows how old the old machine is....
 
My computer that I'm taking the files off is brand new, I just built it god, 5 months ago. I WAS taking some files off a very old computer but I took the HDD out of that one and got em that way. now I'm trying to take some music off my new one and put it onto my dads laptop for him, I think it's a toshiba Techra but don't quote me.
 
I believe you need a crossover cable. It's a < $10 retail (except at Best Buy) item. While most NICs are auto sensing, I believe that is mostly for 10/100/1000 speed, not crossover. On SOHO routers the WAN port senses for crossover and the other (usually 4) ports do not.


Jim
 
Originally posted by: TheBiggmann
My flash drive won't open in it q]

So it have a usb port? because you can get drivers to make your flash drive to work, I would how ever just hook the Hard drive up in the new pc as a slave and copy the files that way.
Click to expand...
 
Sforsyth, I got the stuff I needed off of that computer, now I'm trying to get files onto laptop, just read down a little further.
 
Yeah, but I can't get a network to work, when i try and set one up on the laptop, it says i already belong to a domain and the wizard quits.
 
Is it Win89 there should be a genric driver for 98 for flash drives I had to use one for my moms old computer running 95 I think.
 
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