transfering files between comps

in1ine5k/\t3r

Limp Gawd
Joined
Dec 28, 2005
Messages
168
ok i know once i build my new computer im gonnna have to reinstall a lot of programs, but what is the best way to transfer all my program files from my old comp to the new one? because i really dont want to have to start in square one with all the programs.

and...so say i build the new comp, but instead of putting in a new hard drive, i put in the two hard drives from my current computer. would everything be the same?

thanks
 
Putting both hard drives in the new rig and transfering will be easiest.

You'll have to set your current hard drive (the old one) was the slave and be sure that the master drive (the new one) doesn't need another jumper setting for working with slave drives.

Computer can't read both drives at the same time, so remember to set your jumpers. Everyone gets screwed up here, hard drives aren't completely plug and play. ;)

 
Whether moving your hard drives to a new PC will work is anybody's guess. If the new PC has the same CPU, same amount of memory, same chipset, and OS is Windows XP... maybe (at least in safe mode). If your going from a P4 with an Intel chipset to an Athlon 64 and Nvidia chipset... it probably won't boot. If the OS is older than XP you might have a chance.
 
Goto Walmart or Radioshack and buy a CROSSOVER cable. Connect the 2 nics and follow the Microsoft tutorial on connecting 2 PC's together.

Less hassle than drive swapping, cheaper than a switch.
 
Frank4d said:
Whether moving your hard drives to a new PC will work is anybody's guess. If the new PC has the same CPU, same amount of memory, same chipset, and OS is Windows XP... maybe (at least in safe mode). If your going from a P4 with an Intel chipset to an Athlon 64 and Nvidia chipset... it probably won't boot. If the OS is older than XP you might have a chance.

This really dosent matter if you boot from the new drive and install the old one as a slave. You will be able to just browse the files.

The jumpers are near the power connector. If they are not labeled ( M for master, S for slave and CS for cable select) youll have to look it up in your paperwork or google your drive model.
 
upriverpaddler said:
This really dosent matter if you boot from the new drive and install the old one as a slave. You will be able to just browse the files.

so that means, i'll have my new hd as the main one for my new system, and then i'll just install my old hd's as secondary ones. and then i can drag from one onto the other?
 
in1ine5k/\t3r said:
so that means, i'll have my new hd as the main one for my new system, and then i'll just install my old hd's as secondary ones. and then i can drag from one onto the other?

si senor
 
You'll be able to access things like your old favorites, email, pictures, documents, etc. But nearly all applications (programs in Add/Remove Programs) will have to be reinstalled.
 
Putting both hard drives in the new rig and transfering will be easiest.

May not be a good idea because, sometimes, the new computer may want to format the old HD once installed. Then you'll lose everything.

I'd get a cheap router and transfer files from the old one to the new one.
 
vsrdan said:
I'd get a cheap router and transfer files from the old one to the new one.

so you mean transfer it wirelessly over a home network?

and... could i also just buy an external hd that connects by USB and just plug it into my old comp, put my files on it, and then plug it into my new comp and put the files on that?
 
in1ine5k/\t3r said:
ok yea im gonna be going from Intel to AMD

also, what are jumpers, and how do you set them?
I have done this before on my cousins computer but, I dont suggest it. Was a total nightmare and, took a few days of cussing, walking away and, just general fun. I did get XP to save all relavant files but, I had also backed up his originals on a spare drive. I swore I would never do this kind of swap again. :eek:
 
haha well the last thing i want is more trouble becuase im sure i'll have plenty of it as it is.

so if not that, than what would you sugest i do?
 
I would just setup the old drives as slaves as was suggested they'll be detected just fine, then you can copy things over to the new one. If your not sure how to do it then go for the external case and transfer files that way.
 
ok so install all three hd's (2 old ones and my new one) into my new comp, but have the old ones be slaves
 
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