Moving files

If it is possible to fit more than one diskdrive to your new computer simply fit the drive from your old computer into the new as a 'Slave' then it will appear on the desktop and you can transfer all you want.

If your new computer will accomodate only one drive obtain a USB unit into which you can can fit your old drive and do it that way.

What kind of files?

If you are thinking of files from "My Documents" then it would be simpler to just copy them into a USB harddrive/flashdrive (or yet burn into a good quality CD-R/DVD-R depending on the total size) and will be available to transfer to your new computer.

I'm not saying that the new computer will not read the old hard drive at all. Reading the "My Documents" folder from your old hard drive as a "slave" to the new computer might be a problem if you've password protected your old machine.

Hope this helps.

Buy a router. Connect both computers. you can then share files between machines. You should consider keeping the old PC, it can be used by the wife & or kids.

If they are Macs running OSX , you simply hold down the 'T' key (for Target) while starting the old machine, then connect the two with a Firewire cable. When you first start the new machine, it will automatically (after one or two button clicks) transfer all your programs, data, and settings to the new one. It's incredibly complete!

Good Reply --- It there are a lot of files to be transferred I would network, through a router as GarthH says, the two computers together and share the files. From sharing them you can save an entire folder to the new HD without problems.

CD is OK too but takes a long tome to copy to CD for many files

There really is no need for a router.

yea you right [ yes you are correct ].

No router is required, just a nice way to keep using an old machine, ideally every user should have their own pc. Though maybe someone with knowledge should be the admin & in the case of little ones set access, security.............

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, What are you talking about? Gabriel don't listen these talks. Simplest way to transfer the files is through the serial port. Just connect a cross cable between the Serial ports of your computers and using Hyperterm's Zmodem protocol you can transfer all files without the need of any external devices. But incase you have Ethernet, so to say network interface card then the job can be very fast. Buy and Connect a UTP Cross cable between your computers and transfer the files using FTP utility. But as Syprum said the theeeee best way is to connect your old drive as Slave to your new computer and can do the transfer in a jiffy. Don't buy a router which is too much of a over kill for this job. If you don't have NIC's you may buy they, because they will be useful when you take a BROADBAND connection for internet. And you are saying you are a mechanical guy don't hesitate to ask however sillier is the question about PC's and I am ready to answer them. So say to I am an electrical engineer by qualification but working in the field computers for 23 years now. R. GANAPATHI RAO, RESEARCH ASSOCIATE, CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF TELEMATICS, BANGALORE, INDIA. EMAIL: ganapa@cdotb.ernet.in

How old is your old PC? Does it have USB ports even? Which Windows does it use? Do you have a CD or DVD burner on it?

You have not really given us sufficient info for a proper answer......

If it is really old (Win 98 or worse), then the only "good" way is as someone suggested to plug the old Hard Drive into the new one as a slave.....do not consider an online connection with both PCs if your data is valuable....

Temporary connecting a DVD burner is also a good way out provided you can get software compatible with your windows version still, free software maybe....even portable USB burners are very cheap, if you have USB 2.0 ports....

Andy,

If it's Windows 98 or worse, it's guaranteed that the drivers will not work with XP, so what the heck!!!

I never mentioned saving drivers, he just wants to move his data to a new PC......!

Please read more carefully......both the original post and my answer. We both are talking about DATA....not drivers.....

The drivers I mentioned are only needed if he wants to attach a CD or DVD burner to copy the data with from the old PC......!!! It just depends on just how old his PC is....

Have another cup of coffee, you are still asleep!!!

Andy, you were the one that mentioned Win 98.

Vermin, your glasses need cleaning.....!

I mentioned it to try and find out how old his old PC is? If (for example) it is Win 98 or before, It cannot have USB ports.....

USB first came out with some Win 98 SE PCs and not even all of these!!!!

So recommending a USB port fix may or may not be a valid answer.

Therefore temporary installation of a burner on an ATA connection MIGHT be an option, but only if drivers are still available and software for his win version (that we do not know yet what he has).......

When information is missing, one can only generalize as to what options are available....

You are definitely not on your best form this morning.......too many Pepsi's last night?

"When information is missing, one can only generalize as to what options are available...."

Or one can believe anything one wants to... Not to many Pepsi's - too many Grey Gooses!!!

What are Grey Gooses?

Sounds dangerous!!!

Very!!!

Hi guys: thanks a lot and don't fight!!!

I only want to move user files, not system.

My SO is WXP and after reading all responses I learned that there is a cable (Vermin said) that is possible to connect to Ethernet port. What means crossed?

Another solution will be a flash memory. I'll buy one.

I prefer these solutions than changing the hard disk, although I know how to do that.

Again, thanks a lot.

When you are connecting two PC s only you use twisted pair cable called CAT cable( CAT5) , also you can use USB ports to transfer data through special cable called USB bridge cable this is quiet handy and fast too , have look at this www.hardwaresecrets.com

Ethernet cables have six wires in them. Cables can be either "straight-through" where each pin on one end is connected to the same pin on the other end.

A cross-over cable has the wires of a couple of pins reversed, so transmit goes to receive and visa versa. This is the type of cable you need to connect two PCs together using Ethernet. It's easy to see, considering the jacks on each end of the cable are clear plastic!

Just go to your local "big" electronics store, ask for an Ethernet cable of the proper length, and tell them it has to be a cross-over cable, as well. They'll know what you're talking about.

Crossed means simple. If you are not connecting pin1 to pin 1 which is a straight cable. You can ask for a cross cable at some computer shop. If they blink ask them to crimp a cable with the following connections. 1-3, 2-6, 3-1, 6-2, 4-4, 5-5, 7-7,8-8. You also ensure the colour codes and type of cable i.e., CAT 5 or CAT 6 (4 pair). On one side 1-white/orange, 2-orange, 3-white/green, 4-blue, 5-white/blue, 6-green, 7-white/brown, 8-brown. Second connector 1-white/green, 2-green, 3-white/orange, 4-blue, 5-white/blue, 6-orange, 7-white/brown, 8-brown. This coding is such, if you get into any problem with the cable anybody working the computer field can trouble shoot for you , may over the phone as well. Try your luck. As I said I am electrical engineer, I never had formal training on computers. Somehow I got a job in my friend's company which was manufacturing PC and whatever training I had was on the job and I was mostly out of town (sometimes 2000km, Kashmir you must be knowing) on servicing job. Of course I have learnt the hardway but things are premanently in my memory. Now I am handling server number 25 in a software development group in this telecom R&D organisation. Come on go out and try you luck. Regards, R. GANAPATHI RAO.

"grandpa!" Cool your jets! I think we got him the info he needed.

Hey Vermin, what a coincidence. Of course I have attained the age of a Gandpa (52) but you used the word GRANDPA which takes me back to 2005 when I had to get my grandpa's photograph (some 80 year old) I took the help of one of my colleagues who is an expert in editing graphical images. He sent the edited photograph by email and the subject read: your GrANdPA ie., if read all the letters it is GRANDPA but if you read only the Capitals is GANPA by which pet name I am known in the office. Thanks for taking me back into the past and this colleague has since left the organisaion and is working for Flomerics, India. He has submitted some papers, may be you can go through the link: http://www.imaps.org/imaps2007/techprogram.htm (Shankar is his name)

....Now thats really cool..................

Dear Mr. Ganapathi: thanks four your advices. I`ll use this type of cable.

Regards.

This is the cheapest way of file transfer between any two computers, so far. Just use a "cross-over" Ethernet cable and not a "straight-cable"

Have done this before, I now remember.

Thanks vermin!

Another reason to specify "cross-over" is that we now have power over ethernet. If one computer puts out one voltage, and the other puts out another, you can learn to love the smell of melted (shorted) cable in the morning.

There are a lot of safeguards built into Ethernet interfaces. I seriously doubt that using the wrong cable would cause a problem. I've used the wrong cable in my lab a number of times and nothing happened... Including no transmission of data, but that's about all.

POE (Power Over Ethernet) is not applied to a "cross-over" Ethernet cable to connect two computers for the purpose of transferring files from one to the other.

POE is used to connect to AP or "wireless bridge" that are being installed at locations where a power outlet is not within reach to plug the power adapter. Instead of that, POE through an Ethernet cable is done by using two devices, the "Injector" and the "Splitter".

The "Injector" sends both power and data over one Category 5 cable to your access point, wireless router or bridge. Then the tiny "Splitter", placed at the remote location, separates the network data and DC power back into two cables, and delivers them to the access point. The Injector can also be used by itself with POE-enabled network devices that accept 48 volts directly on a POE port.

BTW, protect your computer from "surges" using UPS back-ups (or at least a surge "strip" protector). You will at least benefit from not smelling "burnt" power supply.

POE sounds like an accident waiting to happen. 48 volts DC is highly regulated in the US for ISP and server farms using a standard -48 volt system. You don't see Ethernet cables carrying this type of power! Also, if you are connecting normal Ethernet devices (such as 2 PC or a PC to a router) you don't mess with that sort of connection.

I had heard that in some places in the UK they were experimenting with running Ethernet over the power grid, but not the type of thing you're talking about.

We used to transfer files with RS232 cables and software (laplink). There were also versions that use printer cables but I think these have gone the way of the dinosaurs already. A special USB cable can be used to transfer files but I'm not sure if software is required — never tried it.

If it were up to me, I'd use a flashdisk, the highest capacity you can get (which seems to be at 2Gb at the moment). After the files are transferred, you'd have the flashdisk which you can use for other things. If you buy a special cable just for transferring, you won't have to use it again for sometime.

If your old PC doesn't have USB, I'd suggest the option where you use the old hard drive as an extra drive in the new PC.

I think they are a little bigger than 2GB now. Maybe at least 16GB?:

Corsair 16GB USB Flash Drive
Corsair - CMFUSB2.0-16GB - 16GB Flash Voyager USB Flash Drive

I use a four gig for work. I bought that one because I was familiar with and trusted the company: Sand Disk. There were larger ones, but they were all off brand - I just didn't trust them to hold 16 gigs of my work stuff and not drop a bit somewhere.

Never heard of them. The only one spelled something like that I know of is SanDisk.

http://www.sandisk.com/

Where is the company you are familiar with which is called Sand Disk?

In your mouth...

I assume this was a setup because if you didn't notice it as a mistake, you'd be too stupid to own a computer.

Then I guess I don't understand. You are too stupid to correct your mistakes before you post, and that is MY fault? Pretty strange world you live in then.

Think of it if you can: A user new to computers reads Sand Disk and copies it down, and goes looking for one. No such thing. People laugh as them, hahaha, you spelled it wrong. Their reply, but I copied it off a forum, that WAS the way it was spelled.

Wouldn't it be better if EVERYONE took a few seconds and READ what they had typed to see if it made any sense and everything WAS spelled correctly?

That DOES include you vermin

OK. Now you just hold it right there, Mr. Poopie-pants!!!

One thing you gotta learn is when someone is yanking your chain!

I use a 1 Gig myself. I only use it for transferring files from one computer to the other. It's usually empty which I believe is a good idea.

One of my friends has his computer near his feet. I warned him that his flashdisk was dangerously close to getting damaged whenever he moved his legs. One day, he did accidentally kick it and the thing broke at the connector. He lost about a hundred files that he kept in it.

Lesson:

A pen-type flashdisk is used for transferring files, not for storing.

That said, is it worth it to have more than 1 or 2 Gig for a flashdisk? I think not.

I totally agree! Whenever I see someone using one of these things as if it's another hard drive, I cringe!!!

The only thing I use my flash for is saving work. From there it immediately gets removed and put away. And at the same time, I save the same files to a large server on the network... I really hate doing the same work twice!

I second...!

I have my files on my office notebook. Have a back-up on our server.

I use my 2 gig flash drive for transfer. I also load it with a copy of Norton SystemWorks which becomes very handy for my system's conditioning. Instead of running it from the original disc, I simply run it from my flash drive.

One thing that I've noticed is that some computers have virus infections and most flash drives (except one that I know of, SanDisk with the Avast antivirus bundled) don't have antivirus protection, tend to become infected. The flash drive can be emptied and cleaned easily without the worry of losing important files.

I would think the easiest way would to just install the old drive as a slave as posted earlier. Transfer all you files you want to keep & then you could reformat the drive & have all that extra file space(Unless of course you still planned on using it in the old computer).

Then I would think this would be a easy solution considering you new computer has USB ports. (Can't imagining it not!)

After setting up your new computer take out the old hard drive and connect with the IDE to USB adapter. Link below:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812232002

PD,

Others have covered how to connect the two, and once you've decided how you want to do that, you might want to check out a little utility that Microsoft has included with windows XP. Go to Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. I've used this in the past when upgrading my wifes computer, it comes in handy, especially since it will take your settings for email and other programs, and apply those to your new PC. I think it can deal with any type of connection, USB, Network, even Parallel port.

Tom

Hi Guys: thanks a lot for all people who wants to help me, although my mind is overheating, perhaps the cooler isn't going well?

Because both PC have WXP I'll use the cross cable as it seems to be the most simple way to transfer user files.

Regards.

I'll take the old drive and put it in the new PC. Transfer speed is much faster then any other method and it'll cost you nothing.

Pineapple

I want a faster way to transfer files from one HD to another. I get tired of waiting hours and hours just to transfer a few hundred GB's of files. How many days is it going to take when we start transferring TB's of files? Cry cry cry.

What's the fastest way to transfer files disk to disk? Moving them takes hours.

Woof!!! Read the other posts!!!

If you're talking Windows, just buy an Ethernet cross-over cable, plug it into your PC, share a folder, and you're transferring at about 100 Mbps - some PCs (Mine ) also have support for Gig Ethernet!

I have a 100Mbps lan. It IS SLOOOOOW. Read my post. It is a little faster than the 5 machines out in the shop that have Zcpr-3 for an OS on them, I'll grant that. But they were fast 20 years ago. I have a couple Sol 20's up in the attic... they were slow too... Oh, that was 30 years ago. I ran a couple BBS's for 13 years... what is a BBS I wonder. Why in the world would I have 5 phone lines coming into my house if it was just a hobby, having NOTHING to do with work.

200GB=200,000MB. 100Mbps=10MBps roughly. 200,000/10= about 5 1/2 hours. Maybe my math is wrong. If so, show me the correct math.

My experience has been it takes MUCH longer than that because of the different file sizes in the different folders.

If I did buy a GBit router and GBit (1,000Mbps) cards for the desktops, would it be 10 times quicker? Anybody running GBit ethernet? How fast is it transferring a few HUNDRED GB's at a time? I would love to cut it down from 5.5 hours to 30 minutes.

My notebook has Gbit ethernet too, but it only has a couple 60GB HD's in it and is just a pack it back and forth computer between the shop and home.

Photos are what takes up the room.

Ah, ANOTHER slooooow... I used to use an ExaByte 8500 for backup...a used one cost me 700$ back then, and that was a really good deal, still lying around here somewhere. Then DAT, and that's slow too.

WHERE IS THE FAST STUFF?

Oh, it costs LOTS of money? LOL The SSD's are supposed to be pretty fast.

Smile vermin, to some of us, computers are just a hobby. Having nothing to do with our work.

We're only talking about transferring files between two computers connected via 100Mbps LAN.

If this was a large company with 50 to 100 computers connected and you copy files between two computers, it will be slow because of all the traffic between the other computers.

If it's just two computers on the LAN, 100Mbps should be fast enough.

Hi Vulcan,

No, with me starting a move files and then going to bed, there is no traffic on the LAN except those 2 computers. 100Mbps is slow. I just ran a little sample copy between two of them. 5 minutes got me 1.84GB's. If I am lucky, that means about 20GB per hour. SLOW. If I remember correctly, it seemed it took longer to MOVE than to COPY. I want 20GB's a minute, not per hour.

What about those 600MB SCSI drives lying in the shop from 15 years ago, they WERE fast! Or the half dozen computers out there I keep tripping over, or... ummm, there are 3 right here in the office that have died and gone to computer heaven I need to lug out there to be with the others. I need to start throwing away, that is what I NEED to do.

I see ad's for over 3GB's a minute with the cloning boxes. What/how are they doing that I wonder.

Doesn't anyone on here move more than a couple files at a time? A GB is a big move for everyone on here? Wow, hard to believe. But, I suppose, since computers are a hobby for me and not used as part of my work, I use them different than people who use them for work. But, I guess computers are fun, even if they are slow.

Well, if you have the money, you could always hook up to an InfiniBand switch - that's 40 Gbps, non-blocking both ways. But then you need the new server architecture that allows the PCI bus to be bypassed and write directly to memory.

You can go VOOM!!! If you've got the bucks!

Wiki says a 12X QUAD @96Gb/s = 12GB/s. So, about 6GB/s, YEAH!! Now we are starting to get somewhere... ooops, they say the NEC SX-9 provides 128 GB/s. Couple seconds, couple HUNDRED GB's of info moved. YES!

Couple GAZILLION $$$$ too. :(

Thanks for the switch name vermin, was interesting reading.

Ken

The original question I assume was based on modern capabilities within the reach of everyone. If we're going to talk what is possible on an unlimited budget, then the sky is the limit!!!

On thing you might want to take a look at is the PS-3 video game machine. There was a College back East that wanted a supercomputer for doing work on astrophysics, when denied, they found that if they hooked several PS-3s together they got their supercomputer. Seems that the architecture of the PS-3 is somewhat exotic, and lends itself to parallel processing that is something more than assume!!!

__________________
Miscommunication: when what people heard you say differs from what you said. Make yourself understood.

Nice tag line. Really needed on here where so many are too lazy to speelchek whut dey rite.

Even on a corporate network - if the IT guys know anything, the net would be correctly distributed between several different routers and the backbone would be beefy enough to make CSMACD completely transparent.

Do you really have a Hasselblad?! And how much did it cost in Argentina?