best way to save or transfer info from one computer to another?

Question

i plan on getting a new computer and wanted to know what is the best way to save and transfer the info form my existing computer to my new computer. also what is the best way to have a hard copy of the info on a computer such as files and pictures.

Answer 1

There are several ways you could do this. The least technical way is to simply get a flash memory drive, copy all the data from one computer on to there, and then copy it from the drive into your new computer. Depending on how much data you've got and whether or not you're willing to do it in more than one trip, you could be looking at $30-60 for the hardware. The downside is that you don't sound particularly likely to use the flash drive afterwards.

You could also burn a lot of CDs and copy the data that way. This is sub-optimal for two reasons: 1) it's very time consuming, and 2) you've got to spend money on CDs. Depending how much data you've got to move, this could take all day and cost tens of dollars, but you will have a hard copy of your data afterwards.

The solution with the next highest degree of technical complexity would be to set up a simple network, preferably hard-wired, because data transfer at 100Mbps is a lot less painful than at 11-36Mbps, which is what you're likely to get if you go wireless. This can be done for the cost of a router - which you should probably have for security anyway - which will set you back around $50, but you'll have a router to show for your trouble. Just plug the computers into the router, restart everything, and set up file sharing. You should be good to go.

The most complex - but cheapest and possibly fastest - is to open both computers up, gank the drive from your old computer and install it as a second drive in your new computer. You don't have to move or copy anything, you just have more storage than you used to. Again, this is fast and cheap, but you do have to be know your way around your case and be comfortable installing and removing componants.

The easiest way, but most expensive and slowest, is to take both computers into a local repair shop and tell them you want your data moved. They'll wind up doing one of the above so you don't have to, but will probably charge you $50-100 for the privilage.

Answer 2

If you want to transfer everything so it is exactly the same as your old pc, then you need one of the software packages made for this. They sell them at Best Buy, Frys, etc.

But if you want to have both computers operating and need to know how to transfer selected files from one to another, the absolute best way is to network them together through a router, either wireless or by CAT cable. If you don't have a network, the slower way is to set up a direct cable connection. You can either Google this or use the help files on your computer.

Thanks to tremendous advances in technology the past few years, the absolute best way to save a hard copy of selected files, including pics, is to burn them to a CD (or DVD if need more space).

Answer 3

Data Transfer Cable

Answer 4

The easiest and most practical way, I believe, is to buy an external hard drive, that is fitted with an USB cable. After installing, you can transfer all your data onto it easily. Afterwards you can save it for later use or to backup any important data. However, if you don't want to spend the extra money, you can always burn everything on a cd.

Answer 5

The best way to transfer your file to the new computer is take the hard disk out of the old computer and slave it to the new one. You can put it their if and copy your everything, files and pictures.

Answer 6

What are you going to do with the old computer? If you're going to get rid of it, out of the family, just take the hard drive out and slave it in the new puter.

Answer 7

A one gig memory stick from Walmart for $29