Switching my info from a Desktop to a Laptop?

[Lynn CC]

I would like to get rid of my Desktop and just use a new laptop that I got, it has 2GB of Memory, and all the bells and whistles.
How do I backup my system and transfer it to my laptop?
Is there a step by step process for this? I usually have my computer guy do all this kind of stuff for me, but I bought a case of RD-RW's and now I'm not sure what to do with them!

 

[Barb D]

Do you have a wireless network in your home? If so, the easiest thing to do would be to make the directories you want to move "shared" on the old computer, and then just go to them through "My Network Places" from the new computer.

You could also write them to your CDs and then just carry the CDs over to the new computer. If you don't have a CD writer on the old computer you could use a thumb/flash/USB drive.

 

[Lynn CC]

I do have a wireless network, so I can just share the files with the laptop even if I'm going to move the desktop to our office (another building)? Is there a detailed process I can follow to do this? Thanks so much

 

[Lynn CC]

Has anyone else done this?

 

[Dan Murphy]

In the past, I have simply used my external backup to copy/move files/folders from one PC to another.

 

[Carl]

I do have a wireless network, so I can just share the files with the laptop even if I'm going to move the desktop to our office (another building)? Is there a detailed process I can follow to do this? Thanks so much

No, you probably cannot share files from one building to another (although that is coming in the future.) Do both computers have firewire? Maybe you could connect them and transfer the files that way.

 

[Towncrier]

If you use Outlook or Outlook Express for email, you can export your old emails on the desktop and import them on the laptop. I've managed to do that for my wife when we got a second computer. I don't know of any automatic way to do what you are trying to do. It is time consuming to migrate from one PC to another. I've been putting it off for about a year since getting a new PC myself. The old one is still chugging away and I am too lazy to decommission it.

Good luck with the move.

 

[bicker]

That's my experience as well: It is a time-consuming process, and you often feel like you're forgetting something when you're done. I would leave the old system operating for at least a few months after you switch, so you can go back and get anything you realize later that you had forgotten.

 

[Barb D]

I do have a wireless network, so I can just share the files with the laptop even if I'm going to move the desktop to our office (another building)? Is there a detailed process I can follow to do this? Thanks so much

You can make the files shared on the old computer, and then explore to that location using the new computer, and make copies of the directories/files on the new computer. Then you don't need to worry about what's being done with the old computer.

ETA, and this is important, if your wireless network is not encrypted, sharing your directories makes it REALLY EASY for your neighbors to have access to your files, too. So if you're going to do this, either make sure your network is encrypted (which you should really do anyway) or make the directories private again once you're done copying them to the new computer.

 

[bicker]

There's a danger in that: Many important files are hidden files, or system files, that may not be brought over that way. Furthermore, many folks will figure that they don't need to copy the WINDOWS directory, but some important data files might be stored there. Even the Outlook email data file is in a spot that some folks don't realize.

 

[Barb D]

I was talking about her data files -- Word documents, etc. I don't know that she'd want to copy system files anyway.

 

[Lynn CC]

How do I encrypt my wireless network?
Sorry for all the questions, I had no idea! My neighbor is a Peeping Tom (dirty old man), I'm sure he'd have a blast with my files!

 

[JCJRSmith]

If both machines are running Windows XP, you can use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, which was designed for your situation. If the old machine is running a previous version of Windows, the FAST Wizard can make a disk that can gather the settings on the old machine for transfer to the new machine.

Find the FAST Wizard by clicking Start-> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.

You run it on the old machine first to gather what you want transfered and when that is done, run it again to on the new machine. It is very well documented in Windows Help.

Hope this helps

 

[Barb D]

How do I encrypt my wireless network?
Sorry for all the questions, I had no idea! My neighbor is a Peeping Tom (dirty old man), I'm sure he'd have a blast with my files!

It depends on your router. If you have a Linksys, you go to the router setup page (192.168.1.1) and set it up there. In my experience the WPA encryption is the easiest to set up, and since your laptop is new it should support WPA. Then when you try to access the network from your computer, it should prompt you for the encryption key you entered on the router setup page. Since your neighbor doesn't know your key, he won't be able to use your wireless network.

 

[bicker]

I was talking about her data files -- Word documents, etc. I don't know that she'd want to copy system files anyway.

My point is that sometimes data files are stored mixed in with program files and with system files. While most folks would think to copy C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\My Documents\, many might not think to take along the hidden, system folder C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\Local Settings\Application Data where Outlook stores all your email.

 

[JCJRSmith]

My point is that sometimes data files are stored mixed in with program files and with system files. While most folks would think to copy C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\My Documents\, many might not think to take along the hidden, system folder C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\Local Settings\Application Data where Outlook stores all your email.

That is why she should use the FAST Wizard. Another use for it is if you are rebuilding your system. Run the FAST Wizard and save the info to a network drive. Reinstall XP then reconnect to the network to re-apply your files and settings using the FAST Wizard.

I have been using it since XP came out (both the wizard, which works for a single user's settings, and the command line version which will handle multiple users) without a problem.

 

[bicker]

Sounds promising!

 

[Lorix2]

Lynn CC, I just had the same issue.

The "Geek Squad" just left my home and I am happily typing away on my new Gateway Platinum Edition notebook. They are a service exclusively through Best Buy. My DH bought the wireless router there and with that, a service visit was included for $80.00. They transferred everything for me and did the encryption thing to safeguard my personal info, I am extremely happy with the service and didn't have to worry about any of it.

If all else fails, I would highly recommend their services. Good luck.

 

[Imzadi]

Couldn't the OP just get a 1GB or 2GB external flash drive and hook it up to her USB port, load up all the files & transfer them that way? Some of them she might not even want to transfer, just leave on the flash drive. Her laptop only has 2 GB.

This way, she's expanded her memory AND can simply take the drive out & pop it into the other computer without constantly copying & recopying files from one computer back to the other. The files stay on the drive as she's working on them. She doesn't have to worry which computer has the most updated file changes.

I'd return the writable CDs & invest in a few flash drives.

 

[bicker]

I have a 260 GB hard disk, so I was assuming that "2 GB of memory" meant 2 GB of RAM, not 2 GB of hard disk space. I think Microsoft Windows, itself, takes up about 3 GB all by itself, now.