[BassOverflow]

Hey Guys, I'm a newbie!!
I was wondering if you could help me out or point me in the right direction...

I bought a new computer and I was wonder what was the best way to transfer my files from my old computer. I know you can buy programs, but what's the best/cheapest? Is there freeware? Can I do it manually?

Any help would be great!

 

[bonk]

Welcome,

You could put the Hard drive from your old PC onto your new PC as Slave and just copy them to where you want them...but we will need to know the specs on both machines and the operating Systems being used to tell you whether that is phi-sable.

 

[Clumbsy_Mage]

If they are desktop computers you can do as stated above and transfer the hard drive from your old tower/base unit into your new one. If it's an IDE drive this would necessitate setting it as slave, if it's SATA it will probably do it automatically or you will have to change the boot order in BIOS.

Naturally if your new computer is under warranty I would not go anywhere near its insides. Backing up data onto CD/DVD is somewhat viable if you have a CD-RW or DVD-RW drive, however time consuming.

There's then transferring the files via network, possible if you have a router or crossover cable linking the computers.

 

[bigbear]

Buy an external hard drive enclosure and install your old hard drive
Connect to your new pc then transfer data without voiding your warranty.
When done you will have an external drive for your backups.
http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/SubCategory.asp?SubCategory=92

 

[BassOverflow]

I'm going from a desktop to a laptop. I guess the external hard drive would be the best, right?

I tried to connecting the two 'puters via network cable, but they didn't reconize each other. How do I make the connection?

 

[bonk]

Are you using a cross-over cable?

Yes external case to put the hard drive from your old PC into....and that should have USB 2.0 out and maybe firewire

 

[BassOverflow]

Is there a difference between a network cable and a cross-over cable?

 

[bonk]

Yes there is

Network Cable

Category 5 cable, commonly known as Cat 5, is an unshielded twisted pair cable type designed for high signal integrity. Category 5 has been superseded by the Category 5e specification. This type of cable is often used in structured cabling for computer networks such as Ethernet, although it is also used to carry many other signals such as basic voice services, token ring, and ATM (at up to 155 Mbit/s, over short distances).

Crossover Cable

A crossover cable is a cable that maps all output signals on one connector to the input signals on the other connector, allowing two electronic devices to perform full-duplex communication. Most commonly, the term refers to the Ethernet crossover cable, but other cables follow the same principle

 

[BassOverflow]

How could I do this with a cable?

 

[brite750]

How could I do this with a cable?

both pcz have to have a nic (network card) and you buy a short crossover cable at where ever radio shack, compusa, etc. plug the 2 pcz together, you may have to do something in windows also

 

[bigbear]

Or you can get one of these cables and go usb to usb
http://www.cwol.com/usb/usb-2-usb-data-link-file-transfer-cable-uc250.htm

 

[bonk]

Sorry BassOverflow there is a difference between the two cables...I have adjusted my post.

 

[brite750]

Sorry BassOverflow there is a difference between the two cables...I have adjusted my post.

we knew what you meant

 

[bonk]

I'm glad somebody does........I wish I did

 

[brite750]

I'm glad somebody does........I wish I did

and you said "Nope" with such enthusiasm we didnt have the heart to correct you