2006-06-16 07:13:58 · 19 answers · asked by Chas. 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
I usually pull the hard drive out of my old computer and put it in my new computer. Then it will be just like you're old computer. I use the drive that came in the new computer as a secondary drive.
2006-06-16 07:15:10 · answer #1 · answered by eewill 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hopefully you purchased a new Mac to replace your old mac. In which case, when you turn on the new machine, a program will automatically start called Migration Assistant. It will take you through, step by step to connect your old computer to the new one and it will automatically transfer ALL of your old programs, email, songs, everything.
If you don't have a mac, you are screwed.
Oh, you can still transfer your data, sure. But you are screwed.
I would recommend finding out how to reboot your OLD computer so that the hard disk comes up as simply a firewire hard disk instead of the OS disc. Connect it to the new machine as an external hard disk and transfer away.
Another option is to set the old machine up as a server, connect an ethernet cable to it and transfer programs over that.
Another option is to buy an external hard disk, transfer all the programs from the old machine to it, then plug it into the new machine and pull off all the stuff you want.
You can also remove the hard disk from the old machine, install it as a slave disk in the new machine.
If the amount of data is not huge, and your old machine has a DVD burner, you could back up the data to DVD's and transfer it to the new machine that way.
If you have some kind of virtual disk service available through an internet provider (Like the iDisk utility available to .Mac subscribers) you can copy everything to an internet storage spot, then download to the new machine. That might take awhile.
Just a few ideas...
2006-06-16 07:23:37 · answer #2 · answered by eyebum 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, there are a few ways to transfer for your data from one machine to another. You can use large portable media (burn your files to CD, put em on a Zip disk or a memory stick) or you can use network technology to pass the files from one machine to another (you can even upload in chunks to your ISP if you have one - like to a directory on your web server - if you have a web site.
The trick is finding all the files, in my opinion. If you were smart about your PC filing system you should be able to get your files from the My Docments Directory. If you have saved files all over your computer, that can be tricky.
The other files you will need to get are your emails etc. I use Qualcomm's Eudora - so I go to Program Files -> Qualcomm and there I can copy my email folders and such (I recognize them by the names I gave them in the program - they should all be together).
Mazel tov on your new computer! May the transfer be quick and complete!
Peace!
PS - Oh yeah - when my husband the programmer does this, he installs his old hard drive into the new computer as a secondary hard drive and then he can just drag and drop. Of course you need a certain level of expertise for this method, but it works a treat!
2006-06-16 07:20:13 · answer #3 · answered by carole 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can use a crossover cable that allows file transfer to go both ways. Some try to use a ethernet cable but it only goes in one direction. From here you can connect the two through a windows network wizard. If you have XP Pro it is a lot easier. XP home tends to be a little more tricky to connect computer together...
Hope this helps
2006-06-16 07:19:40 · answer #4 · answered by Alobiobi 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard built into Windows XP.
2006-06-16 07:15:40 · answer #5 · answered by Sam F 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could invest in a zip drive with enough memory to match your hard drive. They usually are around 20 to 30 dollars and you can save all the info on your hard drive. Or get a smaller memory size and make multiple transfers.
2006-06-16 07:16:27 · answer #6 · answered by jakethekarr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't transfer the programs. You must use the orignal disk in reinstall them.
But YES, you can plug in your old drive and COPY the data from the old drive to the new. But you might want to BURN CDs and make a good backup anyway. Whatever works for you.
2006-06-16 07:17:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on how much information you have, the best way to do it would be to transfer your HD info, or use an external HD to copy all the info onto if the new HD is larger. You could also use CD's, DVD's or a flash drive.
2006-06-16 07:19:10 · answer #8 · answered by momtartin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are using windows you can go to the File and Settings Transfer Wizard (Start > Accessories > System Tools) and it will show you how.
2006-06-16 07:17:30 · answer #9 · answered by acdc236 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get one of those memory sticks to transfer data. You can get one at like Best Buy and/or Circuit City.
2006-06-16 07:16:40 · answer #10 · answered by eminemgs 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋