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Transfering files onto a new PC
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 9:24 am
by randyandy
Folks
Hope you all had a good Christmas and the heads aren't hurting too much.
Does anyone know if there is an easy (very easy) way to transfer files etc from an old PC onto a new one please?
I am assuming word and office files like excel etc need to be saved on disc then put on but is there anything that can be done to save web links, pages etc?
I am on about the Firefox quick links / bookmarks. (I am assuming (again) that Yahoo stuff stays on Yahoo, Messenger and all things like that does as well?
A bit of a cheek but I am numpty with PC's so if anyone does reply can they do a step by step guide for idiots not PC jargon please.
I've been told (no directions lol) about creating a network but that just got me scratching my head and asking for more HELP.
Cheers
Andy
Re: Transfering files onto a new PC
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 12:43 pm
by Guilbert
The two easiest ways to move files from one PC to another are:
1) Copy the files to a CD or DVD, then put the CD / DVD in the new computer and copy them from CD/DVD to the hard disk.
or
2) Use a USB pen drive (I am sure you have seen these). They work like a temporary hard disk.
Plug it into you old PC, copy the files to the "pen" drive, then plug it into your new PC and copy them OFF the pen drive to the hard disk.
I think option 1 is better, because in doing that you are also backing up your personal files to a CD or DVD for safe keeping.
You can never have too many backups, and while moving files around from one PC to another it is very easy to accidently delete files rather than move them.
Re: Transfering files onto a new PC
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 12:49 pm
by Guilbert
Files like browser bookmarks are all saved on your hard disk, but different browsers store them in different places.
I do not use firefox so not sure where it saves them, but I am sure someone here will help you.
Most of your personal files should be stored in "My Documents" on XP, but personal files stored on the Windows desktop are held in a different place (in the Dekstop folder).
Make sure you search carefully on your old PC for all personal files before getting rid of the PC. It is very easy to miss something.
If you plan to sell the old PC it may be best to do a reformat of the hard disk and reinstall Windows. This will get rid of mst of your personal details (although a determined person may still be able to get them off the hard disk). But a reformat / reinstall will probably be enough.
Re: Transfering files onto a new PC
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 10:17 pm
by Lizard
If your transfering from a windows xp based comp, you can use the files and settings transfer wizard, it comes as standard, and is in the windows accessories, you just start the wizard, and tell it what to transfer, it saves all your settings as well even the desktop, just have a usb pen drive (around 2 gig) although you may well not need all that, then when its gathered all the info, simply shove it in the new machine and ask it to transfer.
Re: Transfering files onto a new PC
Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 6:46 am
by randyandy
Cheers Liz & Guilbert !drink!
Re: Transfering files onto a new PC
Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 4:08 pm
by Nob3y
yea,very easy
An external hard disk.
Re: Transfering files onto a new PC
Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 4:24 pm
by Floydoid
If you're feeling really adventurous you could hook the old drive up as a temporary slave, and drag and drop everything across.
Re: Transfering files onto a new PC
Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 3:51 pm
by c.j.jaxxon
I read through everybody's post and and I agree that putting them on an a CD/DVD disc is better and easy but can you hook up a cord of some type and do it?
Re: Transfering files onto a new PC
Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 4:11 pm
by JonnyHungwell
If you use a router, as most people do these days, just hook up both PC's to it and network them - then copy files from old to new PC. Just put PC's in same workgroup and allow the disc to be shared.
Re: Transfering files onto a new PC
Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 4:27 pm
by c.j.jaxxon
How would that router be connected? USB or what?