Computer question -- how do I...

[sweet angel]

I'm looking to either buy a new computer or upgrade my hard drive (currently 40GB). How do I get the stuff from the old PC to the new one?

 

[edcrbnsoul]

This page from Microsoft explains it:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/getstarted/bott_fstw.mspx

 

[sweet angel]

It says I need the disks to install the programs...what if I downloaded the programs online -- like Quicken -- or if they came preloaded -- like my WordPerfect?

 

[chyam]

There is also a programs that you can buy (Best Buy etc) the one I used was called intellimover........it was so easy, it led you step by step what you wanted to transfer and what you did not. I think it was about $40.00. I would wait a couple of months if you can to purchase a new computer since the new operating system "Vista" is coming out I think next month.

 

[sweet angel]

Thanks. I was hoping not to have to spend any more money than just the new PC. I don't WANT to buy new, but I've already moved everything I can to my larger D drive and my C drive is still almost full. If I could figure out how to move other things, I wouldn't even buy a new one.

 

[edcrbnsoul]

You can install 2 hard drives on most computers, I have two on my PC I use just for storage of Photos, MP3 song files ect that way I'm not taking up HD space.

 

[sweet angel]

You can install 2 hard drives on most computers, I have two on my PC I use just for storage of Photos, MP3 song files ect that way I'm not taking up HD space.

1) How would I find out if my tower has room for another hard drive?

2) If my current HD is already split into C & D (with D being the larger) and I've already moved all pics, music, etc to D...would that option help me?

Sorry if I'm being dense...but I'm just confused.

 

[sweet angel]

Bumping this for more input.

 

[Charade]

1) How would I find out if my tower has room for another hard drive?

2) If my current HD is already split into C & D (with D being the larger) and I've already moved all pics, music, etc to D...would that option help me?

Sorry if I'm being dense...but I'm just confused.

If you take the cover off and locate the current HD, you should be able to determine if another on will fit. Most systems will take at least 2 unless the case is one of the compact type.

If you have room for an extra drive, you can buy a larger drive (160-250gigs are going for cheap these days!) and use a cloning program (like Norton Ghost) that basically clones the old drive on to the new drive. Some programs will allow you to create additional drive letters (like yours which has 2 letters but only one physical drive) and adjust their sizes. Most people run into problems when the "C" partition is too small and they run out of room to install programs.

That would be cheaper than getting a whole new PC. If you go the larger HD route, consider putting in some additional memory since you'll already have the case open. New HDs are usually faster and adding memory will improve performance as well. The combo will breath new life into your old PC and save you some money and a lot of hassle.

Another thing that slows PCs down when a lot of files are on the drives is fragmentation. Simply put it's like using a filing system where parts of the contents of a file folder are scatter about the filing cabinet. You have to work a lot harder to collect the info than if they were all back in one file folder. Defragmenting a hard drive puts all the parts of your data files next to each other so your PC doesn't have to go to a lot of different locations on the HD to get it. XP has this "tool" built in.

 

[sweet angel]

Thank you. I do defrag regularly. There's no way I could repartition my C & D drives, huh? Or is that something for an expert?


Norton Ghost will let me transfer the programs that I have no disks for as well?

 

[salmoneous]

Let's see if I can help a bit:

Right now, it is likely that you have 1 physical hard drive in your computer that has been split into two drives - C and D. It's also likely that you can easily add a second physical hard dive to your computer. If so, you are in luck. All you have to do is buy a new hard drive, pop it in the computer, and bingo - you have tons of extra space. Your old C and D drives are still there, and now you have a new E drive to fill up.

If you are feeling adventurous, you can do it yourself. Folks on this board can give you some hand-holding and walk you through the process. Or, if you have a friend who's at all handy with computer, they can do it quick and easily. To be stereotypical for a second, most guys would love to help you out here.

But the easiest approach is to let the store do it for you. If you buy the hard drive at someplace like BestBuy, they will install it for a reasonable fee - they even have "free installation" specials from time to time.

Now, there is the chance you can't just pop in a new drive - if so you are going to have to move over your files. Again, the easiest approach is to just let the store do it for you. They have all the software - it's probably not worth buying it yourself.

 

[sweet angel]

Reading your post made something click in my brain...

If I put in an additional hard drive, I don't necessarily need to move anything. DUH! I don't know why that just clicked.

I can do the hard drive install...

However, if there are any cute single NJ guys on here that are at least 5'10", I'd be happy to play dumb and let them do it for me!

Thanks!

 

[Charade]

You could let the store do it where you buy the HD. However, going back to my previous post, if the HD is older, a new one would breath new life into your PC. You could then swap the duties of the HDs. Buy a new one, transfer the old C and D drive (via a cloning program) to it and reformat the old HD and it becomes E for extra storage/backup.

You didn't mention the "specs" of your PC. Whatcha got?

 

[sweet angel]

It's a Sony Vaio -- approx 5 years old.

Intel Pentium 4
1.8 Ghz
512 MB ram
40G (STOP LAUGHING!) hard drive

 

[Charade]

It's a Sony Vaio -- approx 5 years old.

Intel Pentium 4
1.8 Ghz
512 MB ram
40G (STOP LAUGHING!) hard drive

Are you running XP? Jumping to 1 gig memory and the newer HD would provide a noticable improvement.

For about $125 you could get a new 160gig HD and another 512 meg memory stick. The cloning program like Symantec's Norton's Ghost can usually be had for free (after a rebate).

Here's a 512M stick for $30 (after a rebate) You will need to verify that it's for your model Sony. Go here (http://www.crucial.com/store/listmfgr.asp?cat=RAM) and search (upper right corner) for your model. That will tell you what type (DDR, SDRAM, DDR-2, etc..) you need. I'm pretty sure that the one from Fry's is compatible. You also need to check to see if your PC has one 512 stick or two 256 sticks and/or room for more.

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/3645865

and here's a 160 gig HD from Best Buy for $68.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...ategoryId=pcmcat107700050004&id=1051826249503

Here's a website that I use to get great deals.

http://www.fatwallet.com/c/18/

 

[sweet angel]

Yup, XP -- and I think I love you! Kidding, kidding.

Thanks for all the info. I think I've used crucial.com before.